Modesto will soon be host to “a cosplay contest the likes of which has never yet been seen in California,” Modesto-Con organizer Toni Cardinale said. 
The first annual Modesto-Con, which Cardinale describes as a pop-culture extravaganza, will be held on July 9 and 10, 2016, at Modesto Centre Plaza in downtown Modesto. A portion of the proceeds from the event will be donated to local veterans. 
The event will feature the works of local artists and a large space for vendors. Panels will cover various topics such as Cosplay 101, Self-Image and Body Confidence in Comics and Cosplay and Starting a Comic Series.  There will also be a costume contest and opportunities to take photos with celebrity guests and panel leaders. 
Cardinale is one of the seven founding members of Modesto-Con, who hope to provide fun and safe events for families to attend, expand downtown business and support local businesses. The group has worked hard to bring several events to the area that will provide a fun space for cosplayers to compete throughout the year. 
“We’re a network of fans and enthusiasts coming from all walks of life, dedicated to making the idea of a big pop-culture convention centered in Modesto, California a reality,” Cardinale said. 
Leading up to the main event, Modesto-Con, in July will be several fun occasions catering to cosplayers. One such event, NorCal Cosies, is a cosplay contest designed by Modesto-Con Vice Chair Carrie Shea. There will be 10 categories to compete in, including plus-size and over 30. Cardinale hopes that these categories will bring excitement and attention to members of the cosplay community that are all too often not given the recognition they deserve.
The Modesto-Con founders will choose the top three looks from each category, and these lucky participants will be invited to a red carpet event at West Side Theater in Newman on Jan. 9, 2016. Tickets for audience members are $25, and 50 percent of the proceeds will be donated to the Haven Women’s Center of Stanislaus in Modesto.
The evening’s winners from each category, picked by the audience, will be honored guests at Modesto-Con and any other events held by Modesto-Con throughout the year. Each winner will be promoted with television, newspaper, magazine and radio coverage.
To participate in NorCal Cosies, download an application from www.facebook.com/norcalcosies and email it to [email protected]. Applying for the event is free, and submissions are due by Oct. 30, 2015. 
If you would like to learn more about Modesto-Con and other cosplay events being hosted throughout the year, check out modestocon.com.