Costume Contest

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  "All Tails on Deck!” – August 1–2, 2026 | Oscoda Beach Park

Ahoy, hearties and sea sprites! The second annual Pirates & Mermaids Costume Contest is calling all corsair captains, glittering sea creatures, and saltwater scallywags to compete for treasure, bragging rights, and a whole lotta fun.

⚓HOW TO ENTER

• Sign-Up Location: Costume Contest Booth near the Main Stage
• Deadline: Register by 1:00 PM on the day of the contest.
• Entry Fee: $7 per person or group (cash only).
• Contest Time: TBD on Saturday 
• All ages welcome!

🏆CONTEST CATEGORIES (With a splash of flair!)

1. Tiny Tides (Ages 0–5)
   For the cutest sea critters and pint-sized pirates.
2. Young Scallywags & Sea Sprites (Ages 6–12)
   Mischief-makers and magic-minnows take the stage.
3. Teen Titans of the Tides (Ages 13–17)
   For bold adventurers, spellcasters, and sea-born stars.
4. High Seas Icons (Adults 18+)
   Whether fierce or fabulous, bring your best nautical persona.
5. Sailor Crews & Pod Squads (Groups of 2 or more)
   Families, friend groups, or themed troupes—bonus points for coordination!

🧜‍♀️COSTUME THEMES (More than just Pirates & Mermaids!)

Here are the legendary looks we love to see:

• Mythical Sea Creatures – Mermaids, mermen, sirens, sea witches, krakens, selkies, jellyfish queens, and deep-sea beasts.
• Classic or Creative Pirates – Traditional swashbucklers, sky pirates, steampunk sailors, undead deckhands, cursed captains.
• Ocean Royalty – Neptune, sea goddesses, coral queens, Atlantis royalty.
• Original Underwater Inventions – Jellybean mermaids, trash-art sea monsters, jellyfish disco queens—if it’s from your imagination, we want to sea it!
• Shipwreck Chic – Ghostly sailors, sunken treasure hunters, barnacle-covered castaways.
• Mashups encouraged! (e.g. Mermaid-Cowboys, Cyberpunk Pirates, Space Mers)

🏴JUDGING CRITERIA

A panel of festival judges will score based on:

• Creativity & Originality
• Craftsmanship & Effort
• Performance & Personality
• Theme Execution
• Crowd Reaction (Yells and cheers may sway the sea!)

🎁PRIZES

Winners in each category receive:

• Festival swag & local merchant goodies
• Stage spotlight and social media fame

🌟BEST IN SHOW

One Best in Show winner will be crowned daily for the most legendary look on the beach.

⚠️RULES AND REMINDERS

• Keep it family-friendly (no excessive gore, nudity, or explicit content).
• Props only – no functional weapons (foam, inflatable, or clearly non-working only).
• Stay hydrated and mobile—costumes should be fun, not faint-worthy!
• Show respect for fellow contestants and event staff. Be awesome, not a barnacle.