Masquerade Competition Classes

• Novice: You have not won a major prize in any other Masquerade. (A “major prize” is an award that doesn’t involve the words “Honorable Mention.”) This category is ideal for first-time entrants, and for those with limited Masquerade experience. Professional costumers, however, can’t enter as a Novice, even if it’s a first Masquerade for him/her. (A professional costumer is a person who made more than 50% of his/her living in 2010 off of costuming.)
• Open: Anyone who has won a major prize at a Masquerade, or a Novice who’s feeling extremely confident. (The Novice class exists to give Masquerade newcomers a chance to compete without being judged against more experienced entrants.) Professional costumers desiring to compete would enter this class.
• Young Fan: Entrants no older than 16 who participated in the design and construction of their costumes. Children wearing costumes made by adults should enter the Novice or Open categories.
• Exhibition: This category is for those entrants who either don’t want to compete or have a costume that doesn’t qualify for competition, but still want the chance to show off their costume in front of a large audience.