Tips for a great Otafest

What is Otafest?

Otafest is an all-ages, multi-day fan festival with a focus on anime, manga, Japanese and pop culture. This type of event is sometimes colloquially referred to as an “anime convention”.

We feature a variety of activities, contests, events, panels, and celebrity guests, as well as an exhibitor hall featuring vendors and artists selling their goods. We’re a space where fans can meet up with friends or make new ones, interact with their favorite celebrities, and simply enjoy themselves for a weekend.

A large portion of Otafest attendees cosplay (dress up as) their favorite characters while they attend the event. Cosplay is, of course, not required to enjoy the festival, nor do cosplays have to be characters from anime. Attendees are free to dress as any character they please, or not dress up, so long as their attire follows our festival policies.

What to expect

Whether you’re going to Otafest alone, with friends, or with family, you can enjoy:

• Workshops (seminars focused on interactive learning and skill-building) hosted by community members,
• Panels (open ended discussions involving a pre-determined topic) hosted by community members,
• Celebrity guest autograph and interaction opportunities,
• Anime screenings throughout the day,
• Free-play video gaming,
• Card and board gaming,
• Community booths to learn about other local events and organizations,
• A Maid & Butler Cafe, where you're served by volunteers in cosplay before watching a specially choreographed dance performance,
• Cosplay contests,
• Hobby-specific events (such as gunpla - model kits depicting the mecha machinery and characters of the fictional Gundam multiverse),
• An Exhibitor Hall featuring companies, distributors, and/or other proprietors selling their newest products to fans,
• Artist Alley (within the Exhibitor Hall) where artists sell their crafts, drawn art, self-published books or video, fanzines, etc.
• Sketch Drive, an Otafest-original event where you can have a caricature drawn while supporting charity,
• The CONbini, a pop-up mini-convenience store featuring Japanese snacks and drinks,
• and much more.

Planning your weekend

To make the most of your Otafest weekend, plan ahead and be prepared for the experience. Below are some tips to help you get started. Don’t worry if it seems overwhelming at first, take it step-by-step and you’ll get the hang of it as you go!

Pre-purchase your pass

You’ll need to purchase admission to enjoy Otafest. There are single-day and weekend-long options to suit your needs. Passes tend to sell out quickly, so we recommend to purchase them in advance to secure your spot at the event.

Set your budget

Money, when left unchecked, tends to disappear. Plan and set aside how much money you want to spend at the festival ahead of time.

Some common things you may want to budget for throughout the weekend:

• Parking
• Food and drink
• Hotel room (if travelling)
• Exhibitor Hall purchases
• Specially ticketed events (e.g. Maid & Butler Cafe)
• Autographs
• Donations to this year's charity

Schedule

Our schedule of events is usually released in late April or early May. Once it’s released, take a look to plan your days!

Maps & parking

Maps of the venue and parking information will be provided closer to the event date.

Before heading to Otafest

Before heading to the festival, make sure you bring everything you need to make it through the day!

Things to bring

Cosplay props

All props must be checked and tagged by Otafest’s Prop Check team to ensure that they comply with Otafest’s policies, the venue’s policies, and is safe.

If you bring a cosplay prop to Otafest, please visit a Prop Check booth when you arrive.

If a volunteer or staff member cannot see the tag on your prop, they may ask you to show it to them. If it is untagged, they will escort you to the nearest Prop Check booth to have the appropriate tag applied.

Not sure if your prop is allowed? E-mail photos and a description of the materials it is made of to props@otafest.com. The team can help!

At Otafest

You’re finally here! Welcome! Here are some important things to keep in mind while attending the event.

Badges

Badges are Otafest’s proof of admission.

This means that you will have to wear your badge to enter events and rooms.

• Please take care not to lose your badge. It won't be replaced if lost.
• You have to show your badge to a volunteer before entering Otafest spaces.
• Badge ribbons are allowed at Otafest, but please ensure they are appropriate.

Can I take my badge off for photos?

Yes! Please feel free to temporarily remove your badge for photos.

Take care of yourself

Taking care of yourself is the most important thing you can do. Otafest is exciting, but you’re still human and have needs that must be fulfilled in order to survive! Please survive. It’s so much paperwork if you don’t.

• SleepGet an adequate amount and quality of sleep each night. Tired brains have a harder time forming memories.
• EatEat enough nutritious food to fuel your body (more than just carbs/sugar) and eat regularly throughout the day.
• HydrateStay hydrated (preferably with water).
• BatheFor the sake of your fellow attendees, please bathe/shower at least once a day and wear deodorant or antiperspirant.
• Have cashAlways have some emergency cash on hand in case you need an unexpected transit ticket or food/water.
• ParentsIf you're a parent taking (or sending) your child to Otafest, you may want to write your contact information on a card that they will have on them in case you get separated or there is an emergency. Some parents write their contact information on their child's arm.

General etiquette

These are some basics to help make Otafest a great experience for everyone.

Be a good citizen

Help us keep Otafest a safe, fun, and inclusive event (and keep the venue happy with us because we want to keep coming back).

Here are some examples of what you can do:

• Be kindPlease treat each other with kindness.
• Toss trashPlease throw your trash in the appropriate bins.
• Consider othersPlease consider that others may face different challenges than yourself and may require more time or assistance.
• Safety firstPlease refrain from actions that could endanger yourself or others.
• Offer helpIf you're able, please offer to help someone if they appear lost or confused.

No solicitation

Unauthorized solicitation is prohibited at Otafest. This includes signs, unauthorized selling of goods, and/or advertising any form of service (e.g. memes such as “will step on you for $__” signs, promotional coupons for food delivery services, selling photo selfies, etc.) and will result in your expulsion from the event.

Panels

Most of Otafest’s panels are delivered by members of the community, just like you, who have dedicated their time and effort into creating engaging content for the audience.

You can show respect in panels by:

• Being considerateRemain quiet/non-disruptive while they are presenting (unless, of course, their panel is interactive and you are invited to participate).
• Engaging positivelyHave with a positive attitude while participating in the panel. Remember that the panelist is a fan, just like you.
• Leaving promptlyLeave the room once the panel is complete so the next panelist can have the opportunity to set up. If you'd like to attend the following panel, you are welcome to join its line.

Age-restricted panels

Most of Otafest’s content is all-ages.

If a panel has an age restriction, it will be indicated on the schedule as well as the banner in front of the room itself. You will require photo ID containing proof of age to enter these events.

Examples of valid identification:

• Learner's/Driver's license
• Government identification card
• Passport

Please note that temporary licenses are not valid as they do not have photos.

Sitting on the floor

While there are benches and chairs around the venue, some folks opt to sit on the floor either due to comfort preferences, formal seating being occupied, lack of formal seating in their immediate area, or, you know, floor-con.

If you wish to sit on the floor, please:

• Check for signs around you that prohibit sitting in that particular area.
• Avoid sitting where you may block traffic, such as near doors or in walkways (e.g. the +15, within the Exhibitor Hall, etc.).
• Be prepared to stand up or relocate in the event of an emergency or upon staff request.

Have fun!

Yes. It’s a rule!

Actually, though, Otafest is a celebration so please remember to enjoy yourself. If you need any help, ask a nearby staff member or volunteer.

Many Otafest attendees are keen to make new friends, so feel free to start some conversations if you’re comfortable!

Please note that all of our organizers (“staff” included) are volunteers who dedicate their time on top of their busy lives and jobs to put on this event. Please be kind. We will always do our best to help, and sometimes that may require some patience.

Interacting with cosplayers

In every costume, there is a real person with their own feelings and boundaries. Seeing someone in costume doesn’t mean any rules of social interaction have changed.

Photos

Always ask for permission before taking someone’s photo.

Give them the chance to strike a cool pose.

If they say no, respect their boundaries and refrain from photographing them. They may be taking a break or are simply uncomfortable with their photo being taken.

Please note as well, per our policies you may not bring any photography equipment that is self-supporting (e.g. light boxes, tripods, etc.).

Physical contact

Respect everyone’s personal space, this includes cosplayers.

If you would like to put your arm around them for a photo or want to have a closer look at their costume, ask first and respect their decision if they say no.

Respect the prop & costume

Always ask before handling a cosplayer’s prop and if they say yes, be careful when handling it.

Always ask before touching a costume, even if it’s super sugoi cool and huge!

Cosplayers have worked weeks, months, or more on their costume and all of its components. Some of those parts may be fragile. Please treat all props delicately and with respect.

Be kind

Regardless of whether a costume was self-made or bought, everyone deserves to be confident and have fun with their hobbies.

It takes courage to cosplay and folks of all levels pour a lot of their time, effort, and soul into their costumes. Whether or not you personally enjoy a particular costume, be kind to them. Otafest isn’t a space for put-downs.

Please be supportive and keep Otafest a safe and inclusive space in which new talents can bloom!