We love filling the schedule with panel applications from you guys, the attendees, but here are some of the highlights we've put on just for you.
Opening Ceremony:
The Opening Ceremony is our formal welcome party to the convention, don’t worry, attendance isn’t mandatory but who knows what announcements you might miss if you're not there.
Charity Cosplay Cafe:
Doesn't everyone fancy a bit of tea and cake on a Sunday afternoon? Indulge yourself and enjoy the service of our Cosplay Maids. All profits go to the Con Charity.
Pop Up Vendors at the Charity Cosplay Café:
We lay out some tables around the Cosplay Café which are yours to occupy and sell your wares in exchange for a donation of your choice to the Con Charity. These are for attendees who want to try peddling their products at a convention without the pressure of committing a whole weekend, buying in enough stock and ransacking Ikea for table dressing. So why not have a wander while enjoying tea and cake on Sunday afternoon and support your fellow creators.
Freecycle table:
Got stuff cluttering up your desk? Pushed under the bed? Falling off your bookshelf every time you read your manga? Stuff that Ebay or the Bring and Buy just don’t seem right for? Out in the bar we’ll be managing a ‘freecycle table’. If you put it down, it’s fair game for another attendee to treasure forever. But don’t go overboard and leave the kitchen sink, okay?
The Firefly Lounge
Turn up and turn out for HotaruCon's own Saturday night variety show. This is your non-competitive, cosplay-optional opportunity to take to the main stage and dazzle your fellow attendees with your talents. From acrobatics to the spoken word, nothing is off the table and we're here for it. If you're not the performing type then grab a drink at the bar, pull up your chair and join us for an hour (or two) that promises to be...entertaining. We have some surprises in store...
On your marks, Get set, Cosplay!
Words pulled from a hat create your prompt...Random items (some may even call it junk) are your materials. From there you have a time limit to use the items provided and your own imagination, and a member of your team as a model to create your cosplay. The loudest cheer at the Closing Ceremony wins!
Closing Ceremony:
Whilst HotaruCon won’t be entirely over, this is our formal way of closing out the weekend on Sunday afternoon where we announce the winners of our competitions (or we let you decide), total what we raised for the Con Charity and wrap up any loose ends.
Cosplay Ball:
Dress to impress and dance the evening away to a mixture of live music, dance tracks from MamaBear’s ballroom dance lessons and a setlist we’ve cultivated just for you.