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!