Weapons and Costumes

In order for everyone to enjoy themselves at Anime Syracuse Festival we have a few rules of general conduct to be followed at the Festival.  Please review the additional rules regarding Festival Rules of Conduct.

Proper Attire
Since Anime Syracuse Festival is a family-oriented convention, proper attire will be worn at all times. Clothing and costumes will meet all normal standards for appropriateness. The “No Shirt, No Shoes, No Service” rule is in effect. There will be absolutely no nudity or partial nudity. Basically, if you couldn’t wear it out in public without getting arrested, then it can’t be worn at the convention. When in doubt, check with a Festival Staff member or Security.

Sexually Explicit / Suggestive Material
Once again, Anime Syracuse Festival is a family-oriented Festival and no public display of sexually explicit material will be tolerated. Anyone caught violating this rule will be removed from the Festival and prosecuted to the full extent of the law. This includes material for sale or display in the Vendor’s room.

Weapons Policy

• Anime Syracuse Festival strives to create a safe environment for all attendees. We appreciate your careful consideration and adherence to the Anime Syracuse Festival Weapons Policy.
• NO LIVE STEEL at all will be permitted on the premises of the Convention Center. Live steel is defined as, but not limited to:
  • Swords
  • Knives
  • Bayonets

  and any other objects made of metal, which can take an edge regardless of whether the object is actually sharp. This includes star knives/shurikens. We take safety seriously, and if we feel your weapon or prop is dangerous, you will be asked to remove it from the Festival.

• Nunchakus are not permitted.
• NO GUNS of any type are permitted. This include, but is not limited to:
  • Pellet guns
  • Water guns
  • Air guns
  • Replicas of actual guns
  • Real guns
  • Mini or pistal crossbows
  • Stun guns
  • Dartguns or Blowguns
• The exceptions to this rule are as follows:
  • Easily identifiable toy plastic guns with no moving parts and that have a clearly visible non-removable orange tip
  • Resin models as long as they are marked with a clearly visible non-removable orange tip
  • The person carrying the pistol is a New York law enforcement agent who is on duty
• Permitted Weapons – Wooden weapons such as staffs, walking sticks, bokken and other wooden swords are allowed. In addition, fake weaponry made from foam, paper mache, tissue paper, etc. are also permitted as long as they do not endanger other con-goers. (Ex. tripping someone, clothes lining them, etc.)
• Please keep props down to a manageable size. A 15-foot tall sword may look cool, but it does have to be carried around without hitting anyone or anything. As a general rule, please limit the size of the weapons to less than 8 feet in height and weighing less than 250 pounds.
• No explosives or chemicals are permitted. Fireworks, smoke powder and sparklers are included. These are not allowed whether it is on stage or anywhere else in the convention center.

Behavior with Weapons

• Misuse of any wooden weapon, such as swinging it in a public area or causing hazards to passerby, will get your badge revoked immediately.
• If your weapon is deemed unsafe then you will be asked to take it to your car or hotel room. Subsequent violations will result in being escorted out of the convention center so that you may store your weapon.
• Any weapon purchased in the vendor’s room that is boxed, should remain boxed and stored in your private quarters. Weapons are not to be taken out of their packaging or wrappings while at the Festival. Take then back to your car or hotel room before returning.
• All weapons must be checked by a Festival Staff member at the Festival and may need to be peace bonded. This usually involved placing a zip tie around the weapon and sheath / holster to prevent it from being removed.
• Anything deemed illegal outside the Festival is also deemed illegal inside the convention center premises. All Festival Staff and Convention Center Employees’ decisions on weapons are final. Policy maybe subject to change without prior notice.

Lastly, if you have any questions, please ask. Some weapon and costume issues may be decided on a case by case basis.