Bolt Events Comic Con Costume Guidelines Rulebook: Embrace the Fun, Stay Safe!

We're excited to see your creativity and dedication come to life through your costume. To ensure a safe, enjoyable, and respectful experience for everyone, please familiarize yourself with the following guidelines. Our aim is to foster a fantastic atmosphere for all attendees while prioritizing safety and adherence to event policies.

Section 1: General Principles at our events

Respect and Courtesy:
* Be Mindful: Cosplay is for everyone. Please be respectful of all attendees, staff, and fellow cosplayers, regardless of their costume choice, skill level, or body type. Harassment, discrimination, or aggressive behaviour will not be tolerated on any level.
* Ask Before You Touch/Photograph: Always ask for permission before touching a cosplayer's costume or taking their photograph. "No" means no. Do not persist if someone declines.
* Keep Pathways Clear: Do not block aisles, entrances, or exits for extended periods while posing for photos. Move to less congested spaces or outdoors when the weather is nice.
Family-Friendly Environment:
* Comic Con is a family-friendly event. Cosplay should be appropriate for all ages. Excessive nudity, overtly sexualized costumes, or hate symbols are prohibited. Costumes should cover areas that would be covered by a modest swimsuit.

*  If another customer has aggrieved you whilst at the event, please make a member of the team aware of this at the front desk as we do not tolerate inappropriate conversation and behaviour.

Responsibility:
* You are responsible for your costume and props at all times. This includes managing their size, ensuring they don't snag or damage other attendees, and preventing them from becoming a trip hazard.
* If your costume is overly large or restricts your movement, please have a handler assist you.

Section 2: Costume and Prop Restrictions

Prop Safety – General:
* All props could be subject to staff inspection, so please be prepared to confirm materials etc.
* Props deemed unsafe or in violation of these rules will not be allowed into the convention space.
* Do not brandish or swing props in a way that could endanger or intimidate others.
* Projectiles of any kind (e.g., Nerf darts, arrows, water, silly string) are strictly prohibited.
* No pyrotechnics, smoke, or open flames of any kind are allowed.
Prohibited Prop Materials/Types:
* Live Steel: No sharpened metal blades (swords, knives, daggers, etc.) are allowed, regardless of whether they are sheathed.
* Real Firearms/Ammunition: No actual firearms (loaded or unloaded), replicas that could be mistaken for real firearms, or live ammunition are permitted.
* Blunt Weapons: No real baseball bats, metal pipes, or other items that could be used as blunt weapons. Foam or lightweight plastic replicas are acceptable.
* Explosives/Incendiary Devices: No real or replica explosives or incendiary devices.
* Heavy Objects: Props that are excessively heavy or have sharp edges that could cause injury are prohibited.
* Laser Pointers: Not permitted.
Acceptable Prop Materials/Types:
* Blades: Prop swords, knives, and other bladed weapons must be dull and made of convention-safe materials such as wood, plastic, foam, or resin. Metal replicas that are dull and clearly props may be permitted after inspection.
* Firearms (Replicas): Prop firearms must be clearly identifiable as toys or replicas. They should not be able to fire projectiles. Removable orange tips are highly recommended for all replica firearms, or they should have a permanently affixed bright color. They must be non-firing and unable to be modified to fire.
* Bows: Prop bows are permitted, but they must be unstrung or have a string that cannot be pulled taut. No real arrows are allowed; prop arrows must have blunt tips and be made of safe materials.
* Staffs/Poles: Must be made of lightweight materials and not excessively long or cumbersome.
* Wings/Large Backpacks: If your costume includes large elements like wings, large backpacks, or extensive trains, please be extremely aware of your surroundings and avoid blocking pathways. You may be asked to remove them in crowded areas.
Costume Mechanics and Visibility:
* Mobility: Your costume should allow you to move freely and safely without assistance, or you must have a designated handler.
* Visibility: You must have adequate visibility. If your costume obscures your vision, you must have a handler.
* Tripping Hazards: Ensure your costume does not create a tripping hazard for yourself or others.

Section 3: Behaviour and Convention Etiquette

* No Loitering: Do not congregate in doorways, choke points, or high-traffic areas.
* No Selling/Soliciting: Cosplay is for fun, not for business. Do not sell merchandise, promote services, or engage in unauthorized soliciting while in costume.
* Keep it Moving: Be considerate of the flow of foot traffic. If you are posing for photos, try to do so in designated areas or against walls to avoid obstructing movement.
* Listen to Staff: Bolt Events Comic Con staff and security for the venues will have the final say on all matters related to costume and prop safety. Please comply with their requests immediately and respectfully. Failure to do so may result in removal from our Comic Con.
* Changing Areas: Not all venues will offer changing areas, however a lot of our Leisure Centres will have a shared changing space with sports facility patrons. If you have any queries please contact the venue hosting the event directly.

Section 4: Consequences of Non-Compliance

Failure to adhere to these guidelines may result in:
* Confiscation of prohibited props (which may or may not be returned at the end of the day, at the discretion of convention staff).
* Requests to alter or remove parts of your costume.
* Refusal of entry to the convention.
* Removal from the convention without a refund.
* In severe cases, involvement of the local authorities.

Section 5: Disclaimer

Bolt Events reserve the right to modify these guidelines at any time for the safety and enjoyment of all of our attendees. Our primary goal is to create a fun, safe, and welcoming environment for everyone.
Thank you for your cooperation and for being a part of our Comic Con! Have a fantastic time!