Rules/Guidelines

Welcome to Soycon 2008!

SoyCon is an event that is intended for all ages, but there may be some content for any minors who attend. We are run a respectable type of gathering. Everyone must assure themselves to treat everyone with respect in terms of age, sex, race, status, etc. This gathering may be difficult to watch over so we expect anyone to be on their best behavior. SoyCon is made for everyone to have fun and be safe. I highly recommend the wild ones to be careful of what they are doing and for those who are around. Myself and the whole staff wants everyone to read over the rules and guidelines so there is no misunderstanding. For any concerns, comments, or anything else, you may contact a staff member or myself @ Soycon@soycon.com.

Smoking is barred from the SoyCon area, but it is not banned. Smokers may step out to a reasonable distance, away from the area. You may excuse yourself away from the premesis. We do not want anyone to inhale the smoke and get sick. Also, there will be no smokers under the age of 18. Anyone caught under the age of smoking will need to group immediately before a course of action will be applied.

Alcohol is banned from SoyCon. There will be ABSOLUTELY no alcohol anywhere on the SoyCon premesis. The gathering is not a bar. If you are found with alcohol, you will be asked to leave for the rest of the weekend. For attendees drinking under the age of 21, not only you will be asked to leave, we will contact the police to take you home.

Drugs are banned from SoyCon. Anyone under possession of drugs will result perminent banning from SoyCon and the Police Dept. will be notified immediately.

The streets and parks of Chicago are usually crowded. Please follow the simple course of actions to avoid any accidental disruption or injury.

Breaking any of the rules listed will indeed increase your chance being removed. There may be some heavily crowded areas, such as restaurants or Navy Pier. Horseplay or any type of activity that may lead into complaints from the public citizens are to be avoided. We are visitors just like the rest of the them, I advise everyone to share the space with respect. The police do have the right to remove anyone anywhere at anytime. So please keep the behavior to a suitable level. Bothering other citizens or damaging property are examples of a non-suitable way of behavior. Also, keep the offensive language to a minimal level. We are outdoors, please respect for those who are around you. We are not here to set a bad example.

SoyCon is open to any variation of cosplay, but please consider your choice in terms of appropriateness. Outfits that show "unwanted" areas too openly or costumes that demonstrate vulgarity are not allowed whatsoever. Keep in mind that the time of the year is summer so think about what type of clothing you'll be wearing. Costumes with heavy clothing would not be the best choice to hall around for several hours, but that doesn't mean you can't wear it at all. If anyone brings a prop to SoyCon, it is their resposibility to take care of it. We are not responsible for any lost, stolen, or broken pieces of your prop. If you have any questions, please contact Soy.

No realistic weapons replicas or live steel are allowed. We will encounter local police and they have the power to arrest anyone with unmarked guns or weapons. “Live steel” means any object crafted from any metal with a pointed end or blade-like edge, blunt or sharp. No compound bows, crossbows, or traditionally-strung bows are allowed. If you are worried about whether your prop may be considered realistic, please ask one of the SoyCon staff members to have it checked beforehand.

Airsoft guns/rifles and similar projectile weapons are allowed if never loaded. In terms of the Illinois state law, replica firearms need to have a colored tip to identify the firearm. Nerf guns and water guns are allowed if loaded. Make sure you are not shooting them a someone who doesn't want to be shot at, especially with the waterguns. Keep the waterguns out of range for those who do not want to be wet.
If you are waving your props around and/or handling them in an unsafe manner, or firing them, they will be take away. Return of the item will depend on the seriousness of the offense.

SoyCon staff have the final say in the acceptability of all props and weapons. If your prop or costume goes against these rules, staff will not participate at all. We will ask you to put the prop in car or change out of your costume anytime before the event starts. If staff finds you with the prop or costume again, they will confiscate your prop and/or remove you from the Soycon, depending on what the offence may be. Confiscated items may be claimed at the end of the event.

And finally...

LETS HAVE SOME FUN!!!