REGISTRATION TIME & LOCATION:

6:00-7:30 p.m. at Side Street Studio Arts, 15 Ziegler Ct., Elgin, IL

Three Categories (and Prize Money*):
Best Horror/Zombie Costume – $175
Best Fantasy/Sci-Fi/Superhero Costume – $175
Best Couple/Group Costume – $300
Overall Winner – $350

Costume Contest Registration:
Contestants are encouraged to register as soon as they enter the Safe Zone.
Contestants must complete an application (name, character name/description and cell phone #) as well as a photo release.
Each contestant will be photographed for the judging panel, pictures may be posted on social media.

Registration ends promptly at 7:30pm.
3-4 finalists will be selected in each category based on originality, attention to detail, creativity and craftsmanship.
Finalists will be contacted by text message or e-mail at 7:45pm if they are selected as a finalist. The list of finalists will be posted to NOCS Facebook page and on a sign in the window at Side Street Studio Arts. Entrants are solely responsible for checking to see if they made the finals.

On-Stage Finals:
Finalists must check-in with NOCS costume contest staff on the north side of Stage 1 (by the base of the Tower Building) by 8:00pm and wait until on-stage contest begins at 8:30pm. Failure to do so may result in forfeiting your finalist spot.
Finalists will be escorted onto the Main Stage (at Chicago and Douglas) by category beginning at 8:30pm.
 

• Winners in each category will be determined by loudest audience applause for each finalist as determined by hosts Elliott Serrano and Svengoolie. Each category winner will then be brought back onto stage for a final round of judging by audience applause to determine overall winner.

 

• Winners will remain at the stage immediately following the competition to complete W-9 tax forms.

 

• *Prize money will be mailed by check within 2-3 weeks following the conclusion of the event.

RULES:

• Open to anyone 18 years of age or older. Entrants under 18 must be accompanied by a parent.

• Entrants must complete a registration form with photo release to participate. You may print and fill out your sheet prior to the event. (See registration sheet PDF below)

• Costumes cannot be sexually explicit or contain nudity. Costumes cannot endorse any form of hate or hate group. Costumes cannot promote any materially dangerous activity.

• The city reserves the right to disqualify entrants for any reason or cancel the contest at any time.

NO WEAPONS OF ANY KIND WILL BE PERMITTED!
*Winners will be contacted by City of Elgin staff in order to complete a W-9 form after the contest in order to process payment for prize winnings.