COSPLAY PROPS POLICY

Whether you’re donning a superhero mask for the first time or you’re a seasoned worbla maestro, we have some rules in place regarding certain props and behaviours that make sure everyone attending has a safe and super experience. Thanks for joining the show!

General Guidelines

1. RESPECT EACH OTHER

Geek Markets is a family-friendly event, so we expect all our attendees (and their cosplay) to keep this in mind. That means avoiding attire or behaviour that could offend. This includes overly revealing costumes (less than a standard swimsuit), offensive slogans or hateful symbols, attire or depictions. Please be advised a staff member might ask you to cover up or remove any offending clothing, or vacate the premises.

2. FINAL PERMISSION FOR ANY PROP OR COSTUME RESIDES WITH GEEK MARKETS

If you think your prop or costume could potentially cause issues, come see us at the INFOMATION  Geek Markets Booth. If your prop is fine, we’ll tag it and let you enter the show. If it’s a potential safety concern, we’ll cloak it so you and other attendees can enjoy the event stress-free.

3. PROP SIZE AND WEIGHT LIMITS

Please note that we can’t admit any props longer or wider than 2 metres, including carried props or costume elements like wings. The show can get crowded, and this is for your safety and the safety of others. There is no strict weight restriction on props, but please use common sense.

4. MASKS

Any masks or facial coverings should be easy to remove (and removed if staff or security requests it).

5. NO SHARP BITS

This includes weapon tips, barbed wire and spikes on armour. Please make sure everything is soft and blunt.

6. NO PROJECTILES OR WHIPS

Arrows, whips, Airsoft weapons and gel blasters are all strictly banned. Water or Nerf guns are fine if they’re empty, and bows are fine if the bowstring is loosely attached.

7. NO REAL OR REPLICA FIREARMS

Please ensure your prop firearms all have an obvious fluorescent tip. Any real or convincing replica firearms aren’t allowed. Please refer to relevant state laws about acceptable prop firearms for public use. There’s a link at the bottom of this page.

8. NO GLASS PROPS

Broken glass isn’t fun for anyone.

9. NO METAL WEAPONS

Metal weapons aren’t allowed. Other metal props are subject to clearance at prop check.

10. SPECIAL EFFECT

Please exercise common sense with anything that shines lights or makes noise, and please make sure those elements can be easily switched off. Anything that makes smoke effects is not allowed on the show floor. No fireworks, mace, pepper spray, or laser pointers (with an accessible emission limit of greater than 1mW) are allowed.

11. NO HELIUM BALLOONS

As much as we would love to see your killer Pennywise cosplay, you can only put air in those balloons. Helium balloons get lost in the ceiling or sucked into the air conditioning and will cost you a pretty penny in cleaning fees so leave them at home.

12. AT-SHOW PURCHASES

Geek Markets features some exhibitors that sell props and weapons that fall outside the scope of our policies. In this case, exhibitors are instructed to sell these props in secure boxes at the show. If you take a restricted prop weapon out of its box within Geek Markets, you will be removed from the convention without a refund.