Pop Con YXE (PCYXE) understands that cosplay is an important part of the vibrant tapestry that is nerd-culture. We want to do our part to support and nurture cosplay culture while maintaining standards of safety. If you are planning to cosplay at PCYXE, please read through these policies and familiarize yourself with them. If in doubt, contact us with questions and/or concerns. 

Introduction to the Prop and Costuming Policy 

Pop Con YXE strives to ensure that all of its staff, volunteers, and guests are provided with a safe and secure experience while attending the event. To facilitate this goal, PCYXE will make every reasonable effort to educate and enforce compliance in all areas of hazard mitigation, accident prevention, and injury prevention. PCYXE will create and enforce policy based upon this mandate. 

Pop Con YXE understands and acknowledges that a large component of the cosplay costumes requires the use of props and weaponry. We would like to continue to encourage our attendees to enjoy the cosplay experience but must also enforce terms and conditions that will ensure the safety of all staff, volunteers, and attendees. 

Props and Costume Compliance Team  

All members of The Pop Con YXE Props and Costume Compliance Team have been thoroughly educated on the policies, procedures, and mandates as outlined in this policy. It is their duty to ensure compliance of this policy is enforced through the acts of inspecting items and patrolling the venue looking for non-compliant attendees. Their role is to answer questions, give direction, and to issue and revoke peace bonds as necessary. 

All weapons, props, and items may be inspected at any time by the Props and Costume Compliance Team if an item is called into question. 

Costume Approval 

All costumes worn to Pop Con YXE are subject to approval by Event Staff. Please be mindful that the event is a family-friendly affair and there will be children on site. Any costume that is sheer or skin-tight must have appropriate coverage underneath. Certain exemptions may be made on a case by case basis. 

Please see the prohibited items list as well as the exceptions list, to ensure your costume and cosplay attire follows all of the guidelines. 

Cosplay Red Carpet Exemptions and Directives 

PCYXE understands and accepts that the need for certain props and weapons is beneficial and desirable for use in the case of the Cosplay Red Carpet. To that effect, the following exemptions and directives have been created to afford entrants the ability to use props, weapons, and items that would otherwise be deemed as prohibited at the event; 

• All participants of the Cosplay Red Carpet are bound by the rules of the weapons policy while not specifically at the red carpet event. No exemptions will be made to allow for the use or display of any prop, weapon, or item outside of the confines of the Cosplay Red Carpet. 
• All participants MUST present their props, weapons, or items to the Props and Costume Compliance Team at the peace bonding table PRIOR to entry to the event. 
• All participants will be required to complete the “Peace Bond Application” form and check the box that states “This item is intended for use in the Cosplay Red Carpet”. To speed up the process it is recommended that participants download and complete this form ahead of time and bring the printed copy with their prop, weapon, or item to the peace bonding table. 
• The prop, weapon, or item will be marked with a “Cosplay Red Carpet Peace Bond Mark” and will be entered into the weapons holding room. 
• A member of the Props and Costume Compliance Team will bring all props, weapons, and items being held for use in the Cosplay Red Carpet event to the waiting area in the Expo Theatre one-half hour before the Cosplay Red Carpet begins. You will be required to sign your item back into your possession from the designated WPCT member. 
• At the completion of the red carpet event, you must immediately remove the prop, weapon, or item from the venue. 

Costuming Policy 

Lewdness: Any costume determined to be lewd, sexually suggestive, or in any way inappropriate for a family-friendly show will be prohibited. 

Final Determination 

Determination on what comprises a prohibited costume shall and can be made by any staff level member of Pop Con YXE. If it is determined that a costume is considered prohibited, it shall be the responsibility of the wearer to immediately depart the venue and change attire. Failure to do so may result in the wearer’s admission or wristband being revoked. 

Costumes Do Not Equal Compliance 

Regardless of the style of costume, PCYXE subscribes to the idea that “Costumes Do NOT Equal Compliance”. If at any time you feel unsafe, please immediately contact and inform PCYXE staff. Please see the Harassment Policy (above) for more information. 

Prohibited Costumes and Costume Accessories 

• Any Police uniform that is not obviously and immediately identifiable as being a costume  
• Any patch, pin, emblem, or piece of clothing associated with a major municipal, provincial, or federal policing agency. (Example: City of Saskatoon, City of Regina, RCMP, SWAT, etc.) 
• Any patch, pin, emblem, or piece of clothing associated with a major municipal, provincial, or federal Emergency Medical Service or Fire Service. 
• Stilts of any style 
• Headgear or face masks that severely limit the wearer’s line of sight to an extent that safety becomes an issue. 
• Wheels, casters, or other means of locomotion not under direct human power. This includes roller skates, rollerblades, heelies, skateboards, etc. (Excluding mobility assistance devices required due to health or personal issues.) 

Oversize Costumes 

Any costume that exceeds 7 feet in height or 4 feet in diameter may require the use of a guide to help the wearer move around the venue in a safe manner. If at any time your line of sight or your ability to move easily and freely is in question, you will require a guide. Final determination on what constitutes an oversized costume can and will be made by any staff member of Pop Con YXE. 

Guides 

Guides are the responsibility of the cosplayers to supply and use. Pop Con YXE does NOT supply guides for cosplay use.  

Guides Responsibilities 

It shall be the responsibility of the guide to ensure that the cosplayer moves around the venue in a safe manner, and is not risking injury or damage to themselves, other attendees, staff, crew members, or the venue. Guides must also purchase their own admission and/or wristband to match the cosplayer’s admission to the event. 

Unfulfilled Responsibilities 

If it is determined by a staff member of Pop Con YXE that your guide is not effective in their duties, you will be required to replace the guide with someone more suited, or to remove the costume from the venue.  

Costume Complaints 

Should at any time a complaint be received regarding any cosplayers attire, an assessment will be made by Event Staff. Should that assessment find that the costume is lewd or in poor taste, the attendee must immediately depart the venue or change clothing before being allowed back into the event. Failure to comply may result in revocation of convention pass without refund.  

General Terms and Conditions 

This section outlines Pop Con YXE’s (PCYXE) policies, terms, and conditions in regards to any and all props, weapons, and costumes being brought to or being displayed at the event. As there are too many props and items to individually define, the following general guidelines for weapons and props and how they will be handled at the venue have been defined; 

Visual Identification and Concealment 

All weapons and props MUST be in plain and visible sight at all times. Any item or prop that may be mistaken for a weapon by any person at a range of 25 feet will be considered as a weapon and will not be allowed. Weapons and props MUST be in plain view at all times and not concealed. The item will be considered a weapon in such circumstances as; 

• A Police Officer could mistake it for a weapon at a range of 25 feet in the dark. 
• The item in question could reasonably cause physical harm, could be used to cause physical harm, or could be used to make a person believe that they could come to physical harm. 
• The item in question could be used in such a manner to menace, threaten, or harass another individual. 

Pop Con YXE strictly enforces a zero-tolerance rule for concealed weapons of any sort. Should you be found to be in possession of a concealed weapon, you risk revocation of admission or wristband and having the appropriate authorities contacted. 

Continued Assessment 

All props and weapons may be subjected to continued assessment throughout the event by the Props and Costume Compliance Team or Event Staff. 

Presentation and Inspection 

ALL props and weapons must be presented to the Props and Costume Compliance Team on arrival at the venue to be peace bonded. Failure to adhere to this condition may result in your prop/weapon being confiscated, or revocation of your admission or wristband. 

• The Props and Costume Compliance Team and Event Staff will have the final say on whether a prop or weapon will be allowed at Pop Con YXE. 
• Any weapon or prop that does not pass peace bonding must be removed from the venue or checked into the Props Room immediately. Failure to comply with this mandate may result in revocation of your admission or wristband. 

Props Storage Room 

For any weapon, prop, or item found to contravene this policy, PCYXE supplies and operates a safe and controlled room where your items may be stored while in attendance at the event. The cost of storing items in this space is subject to the venue’s posted rates at the time of the event. 

Responsibility for Stored Items 

PCYXE shall bear no responsibility for theft, misplacement, or damage to any item stored in the Props Storage Room under any circumstance. If in doubt, do not bring the item to the event. 

Peace Bonding 

• Any and all props or weapons MUST be presented at the peace bonding table to be cleared PRIOR to entering into the event. 
• It is the responsibility of the attendee to present said items to the Props and Costume Compliance Team at the peace bonding table BEFORE entering PCYXE.  
• To aid in speeding up the process, it is recommended that the attendee download and fill out the “Peace Bond Application” form prior to arrival at the event, and have it ready to submit at the peace bond table. 

Peace Bond Marks 

Peace bond marks applied to your approved weapons/props MUST stay intact for the duration of the event. If you are caught deliberately removing or otherwise altering any peace bond marks you risk having the item confiscated and having your admission or wristband revoked. 

Intimidation 

At NO time will any attendee use their props or weapons in any way that may be insinuated as an assault, an act of intimidation, or in any manner that may be deemed as harassing or threatening to any person. Failure to follow this mandate will result in immediate revocation of admission or wristband and the proper authorities may be contacted. 

Pointing of Weaponry 

At absolutely no time will any person point a weapon whether real, inert, or fake, at any other attendee. The ONLY exception of this rule will be when requested to do so for a photo opportunity. Any other circumstance will put you at risk of having the item confiscated or having your admission or wristband revoked. 

Skill and Determination 

The effectiveness or ineffectiveness of the weapon or prop, or the skill, or lack of skill of the person in possession of the weapon or prop is irrelevant in the determination of whether or not the item is classified as a weapon. 

Onsite Purchase 

All weapons bought at a designated weapon vendor onsite at Pop Con YXE MUST comply with the stated Vendors Weapons Policy as described within this document. If you are interested in purchasing a weapon that violates this policy, please ask the vendor if they are able to hold it until you are ready to leave the venue.  

Onsite Purchase Compliance 

Any items or weapons contrary to the stated policy that are purchased at a vendor inside Pop Con YXE MUST be kept in compliance with the rules as set forth by the Vendors Weapons Policy as listed in this document. Failure to adhere to this policy puts you at risk of having the item confiscated or having your admission or wristband revoked. 

Illegal and Restricted Items 

Any weapons and/or props that are classified as “illegal” or “restricted” under Municipal, Provincial, or Federal mandate are categorically barred from Pop Con YXE, including but in no way limited to: asps, guns, nunchuks, pepper or bear spray, grenades, incendiary devices of any nature, explosives, etc., risk having their admission or wristband revoked and having the appropriate authorities contacted. 

Banned and Prohibited Weapons, Props, and Items 

Pop Con YXE considers the following items (as part of a costume or not) as restricted and will not be permissible at the event; 

• Projectile Weaponry: Absolutely no functional piece of projectile weaponry, including thrown weaponry such as shuriken and throwing darts. There shall be no throwing of any kind of prop at any time. 
• Paintball Markers 
• Airsoft Guns 
• Silly String Guns or Cans 
• Ammunition: Any and all ammunition, whether inert or not, including but not limited to bullets, grenades, shells, or casings  
• Metal Bladed Weaponry: Including swords, knives, axes, pole arms, or any other prop composed of metal. 
• Practice Swords: Boken, kendo, and other wooden practice swords  
• Yaoi Paddles 
• Leashes and Neck Restraints: No collars of any type or style that is attached to a leash or a length of cordor other item intended to be used as a leash  
• Incendiary Devices: Explosives of any style or type, whether live or inert. This includes fireworks, smoke bombs, stink bombs, flash paper, gunpowder, or any other item intended to be ignited. 
• Gas, Smoke, and Chemical Devices: That dispel any kind of gas, odor, or smoke 
• Noise Producing Items 
• Laser Pointers 

Exceptions or Modified Restricted Items  

*The item is considered prohibited if the following guidelines are NOT met. 

• Bows: Whether compound or recurve are allowed provided the string IS completely removed. The string must not be brought to the event. 
• Crossbows: Provided they have been professionally de–strung. Trigger guards shall not be considered as adequate protection. 
• Arrows and Bolts: May be used as a part of your cosplay provided all arrows are capped with blunt ends and secured together in some fashion to create a bundle. Absolutely no single or individual arrows or bolts will be allowed under any circumstance. 
• Replica Firearms: Provided they follow all conformities as outlined in this policy (see section about Visual identification and concealment). They must under no circumstance resemble a real gun, or have the chance of being mistaken for a real gun. The barrel tip must be painted bright orange or red, and there must be no way in which the replica can, or be made to, fire any projectile of any sort. 
• Nerf, Cap, and Toy Guns: All guns, whether replica or otherwise not directly covered by policy must be presented at the peace bonding table and will be assessed on a case by case basis. 
• Whips: Whips of any style are allowed as a costume accessory only. Absolutely no use shall be allowed at any time.  
• Handcuffs, Restraints, Ties, Bindings, etc.: Handcuffs, restraints, chains, and bindings may be used as a part of your costume, however under no circumstance will any person be allowed to have said items used to restrain the free movement of any other individual. 
• Collars: Collars or other forms of neck restraints will be allowed provided that at no time there is any form of leash, cord, or other item intended to lead or control an individual’s free movement attached. 

Exotic or otherwise unclassified Weapons, Props, or Items 

Any weapon, prop, or item, not clearly defined within this policy must be declared to the Props and Costume Compliance Team at the peace bond table prior to entry into PCYXE. All items will be dealt with on a case by case basis. 

Homemade Weapons and Props Materials 

The following comprises generally acceptable and unacceptable materials that may be used to make homemade weapons and/or props. These lists are in no way deemed as exhaustive and all homemade weapons and props will be dealt with on a case by case basis. 

Generally Acceptable Materials 

• Cardboard 
• Foam Wood 
• PVC and Plastic 
• High Density Foam 

Prohibited Materials 

• Metal 
• Glass or Ceramics 
• Plastics or Composite Materials that has been fashioned to, or that can hold an edge or sharp point.