While the cosplay contest was entertaining, the rules surrounding the con were not. My biggest gripe for the con this year was the lack of consistency. Sure I understand re-evaluating things that don’t work, but they made a huge deal about weapons and entrances before the con even started. On Friday, they followed those guidelines, but on Saturday, someone waited in line and got turned away for a gun that had been tagged and approved on Friday. Safety is important, and I totally understand the heart behind the one entrance and the increased rules, but on Friday, I had to ask to get one of my bags checked and they didn’t even look deeper than the very top of what was visible. Truly, I saw hundreds of people get their wooden swords, cartoony guns made of foam, and prop weapons turned away, but I could have waltzed in with a Matrix-like cache of real weapons in my bags and pockets and not even been stopped by “security”. That actually made me feel far less safe. If security is a concern, why not just do some pat downs like they do at concerts and stick to a weapons check that allows props.
Music. The con needed more of it. I know copyrights and public music play rules are difficult, but, specifically, the cosplay staging area needed something. Throw in a beat or something to combat the dead silence and awkward posing. Maybe a live band? (Maybe some better lighting too, it made for some tough photography for anything less than a professional-grade lens and camera.)
Outstanding programming was available this year. More than any of the six years of the con, and yes, I have been there since its inauguration, this year had fantastic programming. The main events had huge draws, the educational programming was intriguing and the kids lab was outstanding. I loved the diversity of events and the amount of options for entertainment. Allowing teachers Friday admission was also a seriously solid touch.
Overall, I would give this year four stars out of five. Things to fix for sure, but once I got in the con, I thoroughly enjoyed myself.
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