The Masquerade

Entering the masquerade? Take a look at the rules and download the application.

The masquerade will be run in the same style as last year's, different than prior years. It won't be as flashy as before, but also not as time-intensive for the folks entering. It doesn't have as much stage time, but it will provide everyone with a better opportunity to see people's wonderful costume creations up close and in all their glory. There's no venue for big, theatrical presentations -- but it's also not as daunting or intimidating for the first-time costumer who typically just likes to wear their outfits while roaming the halls. There are positives and negatives, both ways; we're hoping the focus will still be on what's important, which is giving the amazing Costumers who attend BayCon an opportunity to show off their imagination, innovation, and talent, and to allow the costume enthusiasts to show those costumers who enter just how much their work is enjoyed!

This year, anyone interested in presenting for judging at the masquerade Ball will be asked to show up at 6 PM at the Green Room off the Grand Ballrooms, where you will be given your number, have your name and costume title taken down, and meet with the judges if you wish to have your work included in the Workmanship category. We will not have specific entry lighting or sound cues this year- there will be appropriate mood music playing during the contest.

At 8 PM, the Masquerade will begin, and we will have a Costumer's Promenade, where all entrants will make a circuit of the dance floor, and then stopping to make a flourish or brief introduction of your costume piece for the judges. When the Promenade is finished, the entrants will be free to circulate in the room, allowing people attending the Masquerade to see their costumes from an up-close vantage point, and giving the judges ample opportunity to watch as you present your costume and the character it portrays. All entrants will be required to be available at the Masquerade until Awards are given, which is planned to happen at 10 PM. Youth awards will be given earlier in the evening, allowing our young contestants to enjoy the evening.

For those of you interested in attending the Masquerade to watch, seating in the Masquerade Ballroom will be theatre-style, with an open dance floor, for the parading of the entrants during the competition.

Available Awards for the Masquerade will be in the Class Categories of Novice, Professional, and Open. There will be a Workmanship award, and a Presentation award. Other awards may be presented at judges' discretion.