ECEE 2016

This epic photo is courtesy of Athane Photography....

​I try to keep my posts about conventions short, since it's a personal reflection and no one REALLY wants to know what I had for lunch on Day 2. But Edmonton Expo was so jam packed with amazing things, I just can't help it! Click read more and settle in for a long read!

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​I got to the expo early and wandered a bit before meeting up with a few friends, doing some photos, and general shopping and awesomeness. On our way to pre-judging we were stopped and asked to do a little video footage. by LTL Cinematics. You can see that video below.

Pre-judging for the contest was in the morning so Adrestia, Shelley and I waited for our turn, but Winter was running late! We waited as long as we could, but had to go in to pre-judging without her. 

I, personally, was terrified. Especially when Mogchelle got down on her knees and was inspecting my hem! Oh my gosh. The judges walked around us, asked questions, and inspected tiny details. They were super friendly and nice, but you don't really consider that when you're being JUDGED.

As soon as we left pre-judging, Winter showed up. We decided to ask if she could just come on stage with us even though she missed pre-judging. No one really had an answer for us, so we kept our fingers crossed.

We had our viking meet up, print trade, and photo shoot soon after. It was amazing seeing everyone together! I was so happy. We did our photos by the viking display, naturally, and I think we got some great photos thanks to the super talented Kyle!

​Right after the photo shoot we decided to do a test run for the cosplay contest, since this was the first time we were all together. It's a freaking good thing we did, because we would have been a mess on stage otherwise! We got a simple routine down, and then we continued our day at the expo.

The rest of the afternoon was some wandering, eating, shopping, and waiting anxiously for the cosplay contest to start. I had ditched my weapons in the truck for easier navigation of the vendor halls. It was so nice to have my hands free!

FINALLY it was show time. We're all so nervous and trying not to throw up from nerves. We still don't even know if Winter can enter with us. The rest of the expo is closing down and everyone is filtering into the stage hall. Everyone in the contest is hovering around the doors and we can get an idea of everyone in the contest. Everyone looks so good! It's crazy!

We find the person in charge of the contest and we ask/beg them to let Winter go on stage with us. They had to go ask some people, and they came back and agreed to let her on with us! Omg we were so happy and we forgot about our nerves for a bit.

Despite this looking like a selfie, this photo is by Athane Photography.

​They led the group of us under the stands and we were there for about a half hour while they got organized and ran the kid's contest. We all chatted, socialized, and tried not to get too nervous! We were all super happy and excited to have the opportunity.

We were eating trail mix and I dropped a raisin down my shirt. You can't take me anywhere. Selfies by Shelley.

​When we couldn't possibly stand it any longer, they called us back stage and we lined up waiting for our turn and slowly crept closer to the curtain. We were the next, or second next to go on stage, and we were standing on this small walk way behind the curtain and I was so nervous...

And then my shield broke! Literally minutes before going on stage, my strap had ripped off the back. I was absolutely horrified and there was nothing I could do about it. I gripped the handle a little tighter and hoped it would hold through the performance.

Next thing I know we were being ushered on stage, and somehow we were doing our little routine, and people were screaming and clapping and it was so cool to be on stage!

We came off stage and we were so excited and happy that we all survived, and went to the back of the stadium to watch the rest of the performances. Unfortunately we had to go line up for the parade, so we missed the part where Sauron proposed to his girlfriend, but we hear it was pretty special!

The parade was hella awkward. This was my second time being part of a cosplay parade and it was just so weird. We just kept going in circles and it was so mixed up and just.... awkward. They had us stand among the audience while the judges deliberated and announced the winners for each category.

They started with novice, which was our category. They announced Best in Craftsmanship, Judges Choice, and Best in Class - neither of which was us. It's okay though, they were all amazing entrants and totally deserving of the awards. So we kept smiling as they moved on to journeyman and announced Best in Craftsmanship, Judges Choice, and then.... Us. They called Disney Vikings... for Best in Class... for journeyman category. 

I wish someone had a camera on us because our faces were probably so stupid. Like, we had no idea what to do, Shelley and I were trying not to sob. We go up on stage and the judges stand up to hug us and I definitely teared up. I was fighting my hardest to not cry. We went and stood with the other winners, got some photos taken, and then went backstage and cried happy tears, but not real tears, because that would ruin our badass viking makeup.

We got some sweet prize money and a gift certificate to Just BeCos - if you're in the Edmonton area, I highly recommend them for any cosplay or costume needs!

You can see a video of our experience captured by the Edmonton Expo below.

We all split up, completely exhausted by the long day, and headed home for the night.

Day 3

I was not prepared for a 3rd day of expo after such a long and fulfilling day on Saturday. I was wearing Dark Magician Girl again and I was so tired! The first thing I did was head to the cosplay guest area and chat it up with all the judges to say thanks in person again for the incredible experience the night before, and of course, to get selfies.

​Sunday was selfie day, and I took a lot! I was dragging my feet and super tired. I didn't even have a reason to be! I got nine hours of sleep! But I found an energy drink and it was bliss. It got me through the rest of the day, and a few fun photo shoots.

First photo by Athane Photography, second photo by Kyle Robinson. I look so sad, like, just let me to cherry pick; I don't wanna play today.

​I had such a blast at Edmonton Expo. I was so blessed to have such amazing friends, and an amazing experience. I miss everyone so much and I can't wait to reunite at Calgary Expo 2017!

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