Effective April 18, 2025
Applies to all attendees, staff, vendors, guests, and participants

AniFest is a family-friendly, all-ages event. In order to maintain a safe, respectful, and inclusive environment for all attendees, the following dress code and costume regulations are in full effect throughout the duration of the festival. Violation of any item listed herein may result in denial of entry or removal from the premises without refund.

1. General Standards of Attire

1.1 All clothing, costumes, and attire must be appropriate for a general audience, including minors.
1.2 Attire must provide sufficient coverage of the body. The following are strictly prohibited:

  • Garments exposing genitalia, buttocks, or breasts, including underboob or thong-style bottoms.
  • Transparent or mesh clothing without opaque underlayers.
  • Fetish wear, bondage gear, or other sexually suggestive attire. 1.3 All visible text, graphics, or symbols on clothing or accessories must not include:
  • Profanity or vulgar language.
  • Sexually suggestive phrases or imagery.
  • Hate speech, discriminatory remarks, or any reference to racism, homophobia, transphobia, or other forms of hate.
  • References to illegal activities, drugs, or explicit adult content.

2. Themes, Symbols, and Representation

2.1 Costumes or accessories may not depict or reference:

  • Pornographic, sexually explicit, or fetish content.
  • Real-world hate symbols, extremist imagery, or historical uniforms associated with hate groups (e.g., Nazi regalia).
  • Violent crime, abuse, or other disturbing subject matter. 2.2 Parody and satire do not exempt any content from these restrictions.

3. Props, Weapons, and Attachments

3.1 The possession of real weapons is strictly prohibited. This includes, but is not limited to:

  • Firearms (real, replica, or disabled)
  • Live steel (sharp-edged or metal) swords, knives, or tools
  • Working projectile weapons (e.g., Nerf guns, bows, slingshots, airsoft) 3.2 Prop weapons must be clearly non-functional and composed of safe materials (e.g., foam, plastic).
    3.3 All props must be inspected and peace-bonded by authorized staff upon entry.
    3.4 Oversized props or costume elements must not extend beyond the personal space of the wearer in a way that impedes crowd movement or poses a physical hazard.
    3.5 No costume may include pyrotechnics, flammable substances, or functioning electronics that produce heat or smoke.

4. Mobility and Public Safety

4.1 Costumes must not obstruct walkways, exits, vendor aisles, or emergency access routes.
4.2 Outfits or accessories that hinder the wearer’s ability to move safely through crowds (e.g., large wings, dragging tails, bulky armor) are subject to restriction or removal.
4.3 The following items are prohibited on event grounds:

  • Roller skates, skateboards, hoverboards, stilts, or similar mobility devices (unless approved for accessibility)
  • Large costume structures on wheels (e.g., floats, carts, platforms)

5. Bag Policy and Carrying Accessories

5.1 Oversized bags, rigid frames, or containers larger than a standard backpack may be restricted or denied entry.
5.2 Items that cannot be safely stored or carried on one’s person may be disallowed at staff discretion.

6. Enforcement and Compliance

6.1 AniFest reserves the right to deny entry to, or remove from the premises, any individual whose attire, costume, or prop violates this policy.
6.2 All determinations of appropriateness are at the sole discretion of AniFest security, staff, or management.
6.3 Individuals who fail to comply with staff requests regarding attire or props may have their credentials revoked without refund.

7. Agreement to Terms

By attending AniFest in any capacity, you acknowledge that you have read, understood, and agreed to abide by all policies outlined in this document.