Toronto Garlic Festival: Vampire Costume Contest

Join us at the Toronto Garlic Festival Vampire Costume Contest for a fang-tastic time! Whether you’re a young vampire enthusiast or a seasoned bloodsucker, this contest has a category for everyone.

Contest Categories

Children (0 – 12 years): Individual
Youth (13 – 18 years): Individual
Adults (19+ years): Individual
Groups (2+ people): All ages

Note: Contestants cannot compete in both individual and group categories.

Judging Criteria

Costumes will be judged on several key elements, including:

Originality: Whether the costume is store-bought, crafted, or a combination of both.
Craftsmanship Accuracy: How closely it resembles the original character (if portraying a specific vampire).
Craftsmanship Quality: The quality and attention to detail in sewing, painting, makeup, and overall fit.
Technique: The use of a variety of difficult or creative skills.
Time Invested: The effort put into creating the costume (e.g., more than one week vs. less than one week).
Performance & Stage Presence: Creativity, entertainment value, and how well the costume is performed, including a potential reaction to garlic!

Bonus Points: Up to 3 additional points can be awarded for outstanding stage presence and ingenuity.

How to Participate

Free to enter! Simply show up in your best vampire attire and wow the judges.
The contest will run in rounds, with each category being judged separately. Prizes will be awarded after each category.
Pre-registration Perk: Sign up ahead of time, and you’ll receive a free garlic bulb when you arrive in costume at the contest area. Sign up here:

Prizes:

Prizes will be awarded to finalists in each category, so bring your best vampire game to win!

Prize details to be announced soon.

Contest Date

Sunday, September 29, 2024, from 1 to 1:45 pm
Contest Location: The Music Stage at Toronto Garlic Festival
Festival Location: It’s a streetfest. We’re closing Spadina Rd between Davenport Rd and Dupont St. Free admission to the Festival.

Contest Judge Roma Fitzgerald

A visual artist from a young age, Roma discovered the love of costumes and character embodiment 7 years ago among the fandom community, in the form of cosplay. Inspired by big personalities and shared values, Roma explores tips and tricks of costume design, materials, clothing, wigs, make-up, and even acting, both independently and with the help of other creatives. Roma is now a regular “con-goer” at local conventions, she is an entertainer who brings characters to life with colourful costumes, and she absolutely loves inviting others like you to join the creative fun!