Over a hundred contestants wowed the stage of this year’s Masquerade with costumes ranging from super villains to the “Little Dragon”. Year after year costumes at Dragon*Con continue to improve in there detail and diversity. From panel and parade turnouts, to the up rise in contest and pageants there is no denying that costuming is a large portion of what makes Dragon*Con so unique. Reasons behind why attendees choose to outfit themselves the way that they do have ranged from shock value, fandom, and means of expression. No matter the reason nor the mediums used, the time and talent involved in creating a head-turning costume is both commendable and worthy of applause. To those who took the stage Saturday night or created a stage of their own throughout this Labor Day weekend, we encourage you to return again next year with the same creative enthusiasm.

• Best in Show: Brian Burke as “Dragon Rider.”
• Best in Show Masters: Making Mischief as “Island of Misfit Toys,” (3x Best in Show Master winners.)
• Best Journeyman: Thomas Spano as “Durge.”
• Best Novice: Joshua Harrison as “Siddartha.”
• Best Horror: Vera Van Guard as “Bloodrayne.”
• Most Original: John Sheffield as “The Green Man.”
• Best Comic Book: Jennifer Aikman-Smith as “She-Hulk.”
• Best Fantasy: Eric Avant as “Eldrik Blood Axe.”
• Best Gaming: John Brown as “Space Marine.”
• Best Animation: Sam & Lauren Wilson as “Duck Dodgers and Marvin the Martian”
• Cutest Baby/Toddler: Tristan Rice
• Best in Show, Children: Tevfik & Teffet Vatansever
• 2nd Place, Children: Thomas Wagamon
• 3rd Place, Children: Margaret E. Thomas