Fandom Fest 2024 announces cosplay special guests

Magical Lee returns to host Cosplay Contest

SCHENECTADY—Cosplay, at the heart of all cons, is celebrated at Fandom Fest and the talented Magical Lee is back again this year to help co-produce and host the cosplay contest Saturday, August 10.

At Fandom Fest, the Cosplay Contest is open to everyone! From novices to experts, everyone can take their turn showing off their creative designs. Cosplay, a performance art, features participants clad in the costumes of their favorite pop cultural characters, from anime, video games, television and film.

Lee, a local cosplayer, is honored to be returning to Fandom. This long-time nerd is an experienced competitor, contest judge, event host, panelist and content creator.

He believes in the world of cosplay; everyone is welcome and anyone can be anything they dream to be.

Fandom Fest features several more guest cosplayers from the local community. This year Ashleyisalot, Salíth and SaratogaCosplay will judge the Cosplay Contest. Over the weekend, be sure to look out for 8armedSpidey, the Capital Region’s friendly neighborhood Spiderman for over 10 years, who is making his own special appearance.

Ashleyisalot is a prop builder, gamer and cosplay guest. She has experience competing and judging in numerous contests, loves playing with texture and challenging herself to learn new skills for each cosplay build. The Ashleyisalot name comes from years of being told she is “a lot” or “too much,” a trait that has always been welcomed in the cosplay community.

Ashleyisalot works to maintain the inclusivity of the community while helping welcome new cosplayers through her involvement and guidance.

Salíth has been sewing and attending conventions for more than 15 years, ever since finding the cosplay community after attending Anime Boston in 2008. Some of her favorite creations include her original designs of Sauron from the Silmarillion and Belle from Beauty and the Beast.

SaratogaCosplay is thrilled to be a part of Fandom Fest 2024. Often cosplaying as characters from her favorite movies comics and television shows, SaratogaCosplay makes appearances as Wanda Maximoff, Pennywise, Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Black Widow, Kim Possible, Rouge from X-men, Elsa, Rapunzel and Ariel.   

Beyond her talent as a cosplayer, SaratogaCosplay also has a passion for prop-making and gadgets and created her very own Darkhold–a project that took over 40 hours and lights up and smokes.

Our special guests will also host a myriad of cosplay themed panels and events, like the Cosplay Dating Game and personalized workshops to master your cosplay.

Let your creativity run wild at Fandom Fest, August 10-11. Have fun becoming your favorite characters over the course over two days at Proctors in Schenectady.

One-day and two-day passes are on sale now. For tickets visit the Box Office at Proctors in-person or via phone at (518) 346-6204 Monday-Saturday 10 a.m.-6 p.m. or fandomfest.org.

Fandom Fest 2024 is accepting applications for a limited number of panels until the end of May. Panels will be selected at the beginning of June. Apply here. If your panel is selected, you will be notified via email/phone and given two complimentary weekend passes to Fandom Fest.