Free Comic Book Day is coming to Downtown Lawrenceville once again and this year we are going bigger than we ever have before. This year's event will be moved back to Downtown Square with the City of Lawrenceville hosting a mini-convention in the Lawrenceville Arts Center. There will be panels, workshops, artisan vendors, and more. We need volunteers to help run our information booth, check-in, comic giveaways, load-in, etc. Volunteers must be registered to volunteer! When filling out your application please use your personal email address, otherwise, the city may not be able to contact you with further information about the event. While we encourage you to wear your Volunteer T-shirts, we also encourage you to get creative with your outfits and embody the fun of Free Comic Book Day!

Cosplay is more than a costume. It is fully immersing into the recreation of a character from a published work via costuming and acting. Cosplay comes in many forms, but this competition focuses on cosplayers dedicated to bringing their favorite characters to life through handmade costumes. From sewing to foamsmithing, this competition welcomes cosplay crafters of all skill levels to compete and show off their amazing work on the main stage. Guest will have the chance to expirence cosplay in many ways whether you choose to simply come dress up, walk around the event or you may choose can participate in our cosplay contests! Participating cosplayers will undergo pre-judging during the morning of the event and take the stage and show off their incredible craftmanship toward the end of Free Comic Book Day. Make sure to follow the City of Lawrenceville's Instagram @the_dtl for updates on the Free Comic Book Day Costume Contest. All cosplay events/panels have the potential to be photographed/filmed/recorded in some fashion. These recordings may be used in future galleries or promotions. Signing up for, and/or attending, any cosplay event is done with the understanding that recording could occur at any time, and permission is tacitly given for the participant's likeness to be used. Rules and Guidelines This is a craftsmanship costume contest meaning cosplays must be at least 70% handmade to be eligible to compete. Contestants must choose a timeslot to be pre-judged between 10am - 12pm on May 6th, 2023 at Cosmo's Pizza and Social (144 E Crogan St, Lawrenceville, GA 30046). This is to ensure the judges are able to see the cosplay up close. Participants have roughly 5 minutes each in front of the judges. Contestants must return check-in with the event staff at 1:00 PM at the Lawrenceville Arts Center (125 N Clayton Street Lawrenceville, GA 30046) to walk the stage in the Caberet Theatre and here the contest results. If you are not present during this time you will forfeit your right to any prizes that may be awarded by the judges. Contestant must enter one of the following categories: Novice What qualifies you for the Novice category? No major or category awards from any craftsmanship competition, 1-2 minor awards such as judges choice or audience choice. Journeyman: What qualifies you for the Journeyman category? 1-3 Major or category awards in the Novice category or Journeyman category Masters What qualifies you for the Masters category? 1-5 Major awards in the Novice or Journeyman category or 1 award in the Master’s category