Shore Leave Masquerade Information

The Shore Leave Masquerade will be held at 8pm on Saturday in the Hunt Valley Ballroom. Instructions on how to register are here. You can register online, although you will still need to come to the signup table to sign the release, drop off documentation, and discuss technical cues.

Competition Categories

Young Fan*: This category is open to all children under the age of 12. Costumes can be made by the child or an adult.
ReCreation: This category is for costumes that "re-create" costumes seen in movies, on TV, or in books. Costumes will be judged on how accurate they are. Please bring pictures (photocopies or scans, not originals) of the costume that you are re-creating for the judges to look at.
Science Fiction: This category is open to costumes loosely inspired by science fiction shows and movies and original costumes dealing with other planets, space travel, or technology.
Fantasy: This category is open to costumes loosely inspired by fantasy shows and movies and original costumes dealing with fantastic creatures (fairies, elves, honest politicians, etc.).
Showcase of Champions: This category is for costumers who have won two or more major awards (Best anything, Most anything, First Place) at any convention.

There will be First, Second, and Third place awards given in every category with 3 or more entrants. Category awards are judged on both presentation and costuming and/or makeup skills.

*Note: Young Fan awards will be presented immediately after the Young Fan competition.

Fan Judge Award

We will be continuing the Fan Judge program. The Fan Judge is a raffle for a chance to sit at the judge's table during the masquerade and to be present at the deliberations. The Fan Judge will not vote with the other judges, but will have his or her own award to present.

Raffle tickets will be sold at the Masquerade signup table for $1 a chance, with the proceeds going to benefit the Science Fiction Writers of America (SFWA) Emergency Medical Fund. The winning number will be read at the beginning of the masquerade after the other judges have been introduced. This is a chance to help charity and get the best seat in the house! If you don't want to compete, come try your luck at becoming the Fan Judge!

Special Awards

In addition to the awards for each category, the following special awards will be available. Not all of these awards are guaranteed to be given out at any single masquerade.

Workmanship (multiple, including Best Workmanship) - These reward different techniques used in constructing the costume. Costumers must register to be judged for workmanship; it is judged separately from the other awards.
Best Presentation - This rewards a complex, exciting presentation regardless of the type of costume. A thrift store find with a good schtick is eligible for Best Presentation, for example.
Most Humorous - This is for the presentation that is the most amusing, again regardless of the type of costume.
Most Beautiful - Judging the costume and not the body inside it, this rewards innovation and artistic style. Presentation is not considered.
Most Original - This rewards uniqueness and technique regardless of presentation.
Judges' Choice - Awarded at the discretion of the judges for a worthy costume that doesn't quite fit the other awards.
Best First Costume - This rewards the best costume by someone who is competing for the first time. It must be a costume that has been created by the wearer.
Best Costume Entirely Created by a Young Fan - This rewards the best costume made by the wearer in the young fan category. This is to encourage our next generation of costumers.
Best in Show - This rewards the best of everything - costume, technique, presentation, style.

Want to know more? See our Contestant Information for the FAQ, rules, and registration information, or Volunteer Information to see how to volunteer to help.

For other questions, contact Masquerade Director Thomas Atkinson.


Home News Registration Form Guests Dealers Masquerade Fan Films Art Show Science Programming Blood Drive Children's Programming Workshops Klingon Feast Special Events Policies Volunteers Advertising Hotel Transportation Contacts STAT Club Related Links Photos Flier	Shore Leave Masquerade Information The Shore Leave Masquerade will be held at 8pm on Saturday in the Hunt Valley Ballroom. Instructions on how to register are here. You can register online, although you will still need to come to the signup table to sign the release, drop off documentation, and discuss technical cues. [ Categories \| Fan Judge \| Special Awards \| FAQ \| Rules \| Registering ] Competition Categories Young Fan* This category is open to all children under the age of 12. Costumes can be made by the child or an adult. ReCreation This category is for costumes that "re-create" costumes seen in movies, on TV, or in books. Costumes will be judged on how accurate they are. Please bring pictures (photocopies or scans, not originals) of the costume that you are re-creating for the judges to look at. Science Fiction This category is open to costumes loosely inspired by science fiction shows and movies and original costumes dealing with other planets, space travel, or technology. Fantasy This category is open to costumes loosely inspired by fantasy shows and movies and original costumes dealing with fantastic creatures (fairies, elves, honest politicians, etc.). Showcase of Champions This category is for costumers who have won two or more major awards (Best anything, Most anything, First Place) at any convention. There will be First, Second, and Third place awards given in every category with 3 or more entrants. Category awards are judged on both presentation and costuming and/or makeup skills. Note: Young Fan awards will be presented immediately after the Young Fan competition. Fan Judge Award We will be continuing the Fan Judge program. The Fan Judge is a raffle for a chance to sit at the judge's table during the masquerade and to be present at the deliberations. The Fan Judge will not vote with the other judges, but will have his or her own award to present. Raffle tickets will be sold at the Masquerade signup table for $1 a chance, with the proceeds going to benefit the Science Fiction Writers of America (SFWA) Emergency Medical Fund. The winning number will be read at the beginning of the masquerade after the other judges have been introduced. This is a chance to help charity and get the best seat in the house! If you don't want to compete, come try your luck at becoming the Fan Judge! Special Awards In addition to the awards for each category, the following special awards will be available. Not all of these awards are guaranteed to be given out at any single masquerade. Workmanship* (multiple, including Best Workmanship) - These reward different techniques used in constructing the costume. Costumers must register to be judged for workmanship; it is judged separately from the other awards. Best Presentation - This rewards a complex, exciting presentation regardless of the type of costume. A thrift store find with a good schtick is eligible for Best Presentation, for example. Most Humorous - This is for the presentation that is the most amusing, again regardless of the type of costume. Most Beautiful - Judging the costume and not the body inside it, this rewards innovation and artistic style. Presentation is not considered. Most Original - This rewards uniqueness and technique regardless of presentation. Judges' Choice - Awarded at the discretion of the judges for a worthy costume that doesn't quite fit the other awards. Best First Costume - This rewards the best costume by someone who is competing for the first time. It must be a costume that has been created by the wearer. Best Costume Entirely Created by a Young Fan - This rewards the best costume made by the wearer in the young fan category. This is to encourage our next generation of costumers. Best in Show - This rewards the best of everything - costume, technique, presentation, style. Want to know more? See our Contestant Information for the FAQ, rules, and registration information, or Volunteer Information to see how to volunteer to help. For other questions, contact Masquerade Director Thomas Atkinson.