Two costume contests will be held at the Omaha Potter Faire each day; one for adults, and one for children.
Both costume contests will be held on the Centaur Stage. Contest signups will occur at the Faire on a first-come, first-served basis. Contest slots are very limited. You must be in costume to enter.
After signup has been filled, pre-judging of all entrants will occur at a designated time and place. You must be present at pre-judging to be eligible for prizes.
Please note that you may only enter the Saturday or Sunday contest, but not both, even if you wish to enter with a different costume each day. If you receive a prize, the same costume may not win a prize at the Faire the subsequent year. You are welcome to enter the contest with a different costume the following year.
Omaha Potter Faire staff, vendors, performers, and contractors are ineligible to enter the costume contest, as are the immediate family members of staff and contractors.
Childrens’ Costume Contest
The childrens’ costume contest is open to anyone 17 years of age or younger. All entrants of the childrens’ contest will be invited to walk across the stage. Contestants are not required to speak, and children who are nervous or shy are not required to walk across the stage. Parents are welcome to escort their children on stage, and accept any prizes on behalf of children who wish to stay off stage.
Childrens’ Costume Contest Prizes
All children who enter the contest are provided with a small prize. Children may choose instead to compete in the adult contest, at parental discretion. Prizes are only awarded to the top three entrants in the adult costume contest each day.
Adult Costume Contest
The adult costume contest is open to anyone 18 years of age or older, or younger with parent or guardian permission. After pre-judging, 10 entrants of the adult costume contest will be selected to appear on stage. Each contestant is asked to introduce themselves and speak briefly about their costume or make a brief speech in character.
Adult Costume Contest Prizes
Each cash prize is presented as a bag of U.S. gold dollars.
First Place: $100 cash, one VIP Ticket for the next Omaha Potter Faire
First Runner Up: $50 cash, one Weekend Ticket for the next Omaha Potter Faire.
Second Runner Up: $25 cash, one Weekend Ticket for the next Omaha Potter Faire.
Best Couple Costume: $100 cash, two VIP Tickets for the next Omaha Potter Faire.
Costume Contest FAQ
Q: Why is the signup first-come, first-served?
A: When we have offered advance signups at other events, many entrants did not show up for the contest. This method ensures costume entrants are actually at the Faire.
Q: Can we enter the adult contest individually and also as a couple?
A: Yes, but one person may only win in one category. If a couple wins the best couple costume category, both entrants are ineligible to win individual best costume prizes, and vice versa.
Q: Why are signups limited?
A: Our costume contest judges take pride in duly judging the craftsmanship of each costume. There is very limited time to do so between signups and the contest on the main stage. We will accommodate as many signups as reasonably possible.
Q: What happens if I win a prize, and there is no Omaha Potter Faire next year?
A: We have hosted the Omaha Potter Faire since 2018, and plan to continue for the foreseeable future. If for any reason next year’s Faire is cancelled, we will offer a substitute prize of equivalent or greater value, such as a concert or event ticket, or a gift certificate to a local comic book or pop culture shop.