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Columbus, OH, October 02, 2019 –(PR.com)– The Costume Contest is one of the great Wizard World traditions, with cosplayers showing off their “Saturday best” with every conceivable outfit demonstrating their creativity, fashion sense and fandom. And now Wizard World Columbus attendees can vie for more than just bragging rights, as the Best in Show winner at the October 19 event will receive a $10,000 cash prize, and five other categories will carry $500 prizes in the largest offering for a Wizard World Costume Contest ever, a $12,500 prize pool.

Attendees holding a weekend (3-day) or Saturday event admission for Wizard World Columbus may register to participate in the contest, held at the Short North Ballroom at the Greater Columbus Convention Center on Saturday evening. Signup is available at a designated location on the show floor as well as advance registration online here: http://wizd.me/10Kd.

In addition to the Best in Show grand prize of $10,000 to the individual or group selected, Wizard World will award $500 to one winner in each of the following categories: Best Hero; Best Villain; Best Anime Character; Best Video Game Character; Best Group or Duo. For full rules and guidelines, interested fans can visit https://wizardworld.com/ww-columbus-2019-costume-contest-rules.

“The Costume Contest has always been a huge part of our show, a time to let attendees have the stage and be the star,” said John D. Maatta, Wizard World CEO. “The $10,000 Grand Prize is a way for us to reward those loyal fans who work so hard at showing off their fandom in the amazing cosplay they display. And the category prizes mean that anyone can win, even newcomers, and we encourage everyone to take part.”

“Freaks & Geeks” star Samm Levine, and pro cosplayers Knightmage and Galaxy Amethyst are among the scheduled judges for the event, with others to be added.

Wizard World Columbus, set for October 18-20 at Greater Columbus Convention Center, will feature celebrities like Levine plus “Smallville” stars Tom Welling (“Clark Kent”), Michael Rosenbaum (“Lex Luthor”) and Laura Vandervoort (“Kara”), The Princess Bride standouts Cary Elwes (“Westley), Wallace Shawn (“Vizzini”) and Chris Sarandon (“Prince Humperdinck”), Henry Winkler (“Happy Days,” “Barry”), Ken Page (The Nightmare Before Christmas), David Ramsey (“Arrow,” “Dexter”), Thomas Ian Nicholas (Rookie of the Year, American Pie) and more.

The event marks Wizard World’s ninth visit to Columbus. The event will feature many of the world’s top comics creators, an outstanding array of programming, cosplay contests, gaming and more, plus live entertainment on the main stage, hosted by master of ceremonies Kato Kaelin.

Wizard World events bring together thousands of fans of all ages to celebrate the best in pop culture: movies, television, gaming, live entertainment, comics, sci-fi, graphic novels, toys, original art, collectibles, contests and more. The 11th event scheduled on the 2019 Wizard World calendar, Columbus show hours are Friday, October 18, 4-9 p.m.; Saturday, October 19, 10 a.m.-7 p.m.; Sunday, October 20, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Kids 10 and under are admitted free with paid adult.

For more on the 2019 Wizard World Columbus, visit http://wizd.me/ColumbusPR.

About Wizard Entertainment, Inc. (OTCBB: WIZD)
Wizard Entertainment, Inc. (www.wizardworld.com) produces comic, gaming and pop culture conventions across North America that celebrate the best in pop culture: movies, television, gaming, live entertainment, tech, comics, sci-fi, graphic novels, toys, original art, collectibles, contests and more. A first-class lineup of topical programming and entertainment takes place at each event, with celebrity Q&A’s, comics-themed sessions, costume contests, movie screenings, evening parties and more. Additional initiatives may include an augmented touring schedule of Wizard World shows, fixed-site installations, curated e-commerce, and the production and distribution of content both in the U.S. and internationally. Fans can interact with Wizard Entertainment at www.wizardworld.com and on Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, Instagram and other social media services.

The 2019 Wizard World convention schedule is available at: http://www.wizardworld.com/comiccon.