October 19th: Cosplay Event at the Art Trail Gallery

• The Pee Dee Artist Guild and the Art Trail Gallery are sponsoring the First Annual Cosplay Event on Saturday, October 19, 2013 from 3 PM until 7 PM. The event features Cosplay, which is an activity where participants dress in costumes and accessories to represent a specific character or idea from a work of fiction. 

  Favorite sources for cosplayers include comic books, movies, manga, and anime. Many cosplayers have created social networks and web sites centered on Cosplay activities. Costumes can be very simple or highly detailed and is different from Halloween or Mardi Gras costumes. The intention of Cosplay is to show a specific character, not to celebrate a holiday. Many cosplayers create their own costumes, taking many hours or weeks to finish. Other cosplayers buy or borrow costumes. 

  
  The purpose of costuming is to give the person an entry into the world of make believe, entering into the role of their character. Forums, such as the planned event at the Art Trail, are enjoyed by cosplayers as a place to share stories, photos, news, and information on coming Cosplay activities. 

  
  This event is building on the recent extremely successful Comic Con event by Legends Comics. Over one thousand people attended that event and expressed their thanks for such an event being brought to Florence. The new event is an effort to provide another activity that can be enjoyed by all ages. This event provides a Saturday afternoon outing for families where they can go, the kids can play games, snack on the refreshments provided, and maybe win a prize or some money for their costume. Admission is $10.00 for adults; children 12 and under are free when accompanied by an adult.

  
  Children's prizes are gifts and ribbons. Adult's prizes are $100.00 for Best of Show, $75.00 for First Place, $50.00 for Second Place, $25.00 for Third Place. Honorable Mentions will get ribbons. 

  
  The adult competition will be one of the high lights of the afternoon, with the contestants going on stage one at a time, answering the judges questions, and making a tour around the gallery so that people can get a good look at their costume. 

  
  Tickets for door prizes will be given to adults on admission. Comic books and goody bags will be given to all children attending. Refreshments are included as part of admission.

  
  Costumes must be in good taste and not feature nudity or extreme violence.

  
  

  The Art Trail Gallery is located at 185 West Evans Street in downtown Florence.  For more information about this event, contact Rachell Hyman at hymanrachell@aol.com.