The First Annual Cosplay America Convention 2014 + giveaway

Cosplay America is the first East Coast Convention dedicated to all things cosplay. This event will gather casual and professional cosplayers, costume makers, prop craftsmen, and photographers. Cosplayers can gather for photo shoots, improve their skills by listening to veteran costume makers, and compete with one another to show off their creativity, acting talents, and craftsmanship skills.-press kit

http://www.cosplayamerica.com/

I just started going to conventions in the past few years and could kick myself for not attending before that. One of my favorite aspects is the costumes. So I was thrilled to learn Cosplay America was being held so close to me in Raleigh/Durham, NC area on Aug 30-31.
email: info@cosplayamerica.com

FB: 

You can head over to the website and check out the types of panels and events held as well as the special guest list. I'm not familiar with the cosplay culture, but they have their superstars, like  special guest Stayxxxx (pronounced Stay) who flew in from Taiwan! She was a lovely and beautiful person willing to take all the pics her fans wanted. Her interpreter was so excited she was practically humming. 

Congratulations to the con director/creator Su Song for bringing in such an exciting guest. You can check out Stayxxxx's FB page: https://www.facebook.com/stay.deep.under

Only able to spend a few hours on Saturday, I didn't attend any panels. I wanted to see costumes! And O.M.G. were there some doozies. Probably 90% of the attendees were dressed up. I met cosplayers from 2 to 50  years old. Most people were between 13 and 25. I also enjoyed the unusual vendors in attendance.

I could talk about all I saw, but in this case pictures tell the best story. Baaart was a ham and enjoyed all the attention. He even has a new dinosaur friend and I ain't talking Barney. Be sure to click after the page break to see the awesome that was 

COSPLAY AMERICA 2014!!

 At the opening ceremony we meet guest of honors Bill Mulligan (left) and Jez Roth (mid). Phil Lee was our charming M.C. (right). Stayxxxx's plane got in late and after her 20 hour flight she needed to rest a bit and missed the ceremony, but showed up right after for her signing!

One of Baaart's favorite photo-ops was with 

Dakota and Friends.

https://www.facebook.com/dinosaurresponsesquad

Baaart got up close and personal with Dakota and got a little love from Steampunk Jango Fett!

Dakota was kind of a big deal with his VIP badge and he is also into Steampunk. Check out the awesome animatronic baby dinosaurs. They were made by Preschool Toys a loooong time ago and will respond to your touch. 

For all the costume fun click past the page break to see...