Zoe Nelson and Sarah Anne Sulzer show off their cosplay from Chinese novel/animation series “Heaven Official’s Blessing” during the Kenai Performers Cosplay Costume Contest at the Soldotna Progress Days Block Party in Parker Park in Soldotna, Alaska, on Saturday, July 27, 2024. Their cosplay earned “Best in Show.” (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)

Zoe Nelson and Sarah Anne Sulzer show off their cosplay from Chinese novel/animation series “Heaven Official’s Blessing” during the Kenai Performers Cosplay Costume Contest at the Soldotna Progress Days Block Party in Parker Park in Soldotna, Alaska, on Saturday, July 27, 2024. Their cosplay earned “Best in Show.” (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)

Kenai Performers host 4th annual cosplay contest

Dragon slayers, Disney animations and Chinese novels make waves at Progress Days celebration

The Fourth Annual Kenai Performers Cosplay Costume Contest last weekend celebrated both the art of costume-making and fandom.

Held at Parker Park during the Soldotna Progress Days Block Party, the contest drew costumes representing various mediums and characters both mainstream and obscure.

Sarah Anne Sulzer and Zoe Nelson took Best in Show for their duo costume representing characters from “Heaven Official’s Blessing,” a Chinese novel and animated series that they said doesn’t have a widespread following in America — “especially in Alaska.”

They said the relative obscurity of their characters — compared to figures like Kim Possible or “Star Wars” icon Ahsoka Tano — makes their win testament to how much the judges enjoyed their costumes.

Sulzer’s costume was a long tunic with dark with gold accenting, topped by a black wig, pale makeup, long nails and reptilian contact lenses.

Nelson’s seemed to be akin to a kimono and was brighter, hued in whites and blues with a long and intricate design down the front. She was also carrying a fan.

Sulzer said the costumes had been assembled from material purchased at stores in Washington, as well as Amazon. The pair had recently gotten into the series and were taken by the detailed illustrations in the novels, leading to the decision to create cosplay of the characters.

“I dyed my hair for this,” Nelson said.

“We really enjoy cosplaying,” Sulzer said.

Other awards went to Sean Prisk’s Ahsoka for best sci-fi; a “Bloodborne”-inspired Hunter for best gaming; Cyndle Madrid’s Kim Possible for best anime or manga; Pip Frost’s King Pip the Dragonslayer won best student; and a father-daughter pair won best group for their cosplay of Lucifer and Charlie Morningstar from “Hazbin Hotel.”

For more information about the contest and the Kenai Performers, find “Kenai Performers” on Facebook.

This story was edited on Aug. 5 to correct the spelling of Sulzer’s name.

Reach reporter Jake Dye at jacob.dye@peninsulaclarion.com.

Cyndle Madrid shows off her Kim Possible cosplay during the Kenai Performers Cosplay Costume Contest at the Soldotna Progress Days Block Party in Parker Park in Soldotna, Alaska, on Saturday, July 27, 2024. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)

Cyndle Madrid shows off her Kim Possible cosplay during the Kenai Performers Cosplay Costume Contest at the Soldotna Progress Days Block Party in Parker Park in Soldotna, Alaska, on Saturday, July 27, 2024. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)

A cosplayer shows off their “Bloodborne”’-inspired hunter costume during the Kenai Performers Cosplay Costume Contest at the Soldotna Progress Days Block Party in Parker Park in Soldotna, Alaska, on Saturday, July 27, 2024. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)

A cosplayer shows off their “Bloodborne”’-inspired hunter costume during the Kenai Performers Cosplay Costume Contest at the Soldotna Progress Days Block Party in Parker Park in Soldotna, Alaska, on Saturday, July 27, 2024. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)

Sean Prisk shows off cosplay of “Star Wars” character Ahsoka Tano during the Kenai Performers Cosplay Costume Contest at the Soldotna Progress Days Block Party in Parker Park in Soldotna, Alaska, on Saturday, July 27, 2024. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)

Sean Prisk shows off cosplay of “Star Wars” character Ahsoka Tano during the Kenai Performers Cosplay Costume Contest at the Soldotna Progress Days Block Party in Parker Park in Soldotna, Alaska, on Saturday, July 27, 2024. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)

Queen Pip the Dragon Slayer slays a dragon during the Kenai Performers Cosplay Costume Contest at the Soldotna Progress Days Block Party in Parker Park in Soldotna, Alaska, on Saturday, July 27, 2024. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)

Queen Pip the Dragon Slayer slays a dragon during the Kenai Performers Cosplay Costume Contest at the Soldotna Progress Days Block Party in Parker Park in Soldotna, Alaska, on Saturday, July 27, 2024. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)

Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion
Winners of the Kenai Performers Cosplay Costume Contest stand with their prizes at the Soldotna Progress Days Block Party in Parker Park in Soldotna on Saturday, July 27.

Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion Winners of the Kenai Performers Cosplay Costume Contest stand with their prizes at the Soldotna Progress Days Block Party in Parker Park in Soldotna on Saturday, July 27.

Zoe Nelson and Sarah Anne Sulzer show off their cosplay from Chinese novel/animation series “Heaven Official’s Blessing” during the Kenai Performers Cosplay Costume Contest at the Soldotna Progress Days Block Party in Parker Park in Soldotna on Saturday, July 27. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)

Zoe Nelson and Sarah Anne Sulzer show off their cosplay from Chinese novel/animation series “Heaven Official’s Blessing” during the Kenai Performers Cosplay Costume Contest at the Soldotna Progress Days Block Party in Parker Park in Soldotna on Saturday, July 27. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)

More in Life

File
Minister’s Message: Living in the community of faith

Many of us tend to stay within our own denomination for purposes of what we consider to be purity of doctrine.

Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion
Artwork by Susan Nabholz, Charlotte Coots and Chelline Larsen is displayed as part of “Fiber” at the Kenai Art Center on Wednesday.
Focus on fiber

Kenai Art Center show transforms threads to art

The Palm Springs Limelight-News used this photo in 1946 to announce the start of the Alaska Photographic Expedition, guided by Keith McCullagh (left) for his expedition partner and photographer, Harry Reed.
Mostly separate lives: The union and disunion of Nellie and Keith — Part 5

After a bankruptcy, a divorce and an 18-year absence from Alaska, Louis Keith McCullagh headed north on vacation.

These cupcakes are dense, more like brownies than traditional cupcakes, and are chock full of chocolate. (Photo by Tressa Dale/Peninsula Clarion)
‘Chocolate, chocolate, chocolate’ with some sprinkles

These cupcakes are dense, more like brownies than traditional cupcakes, and are chock full of chocolate.

Sophie Thatcher is Iris in “Companion.” (Promotional photo courtesy Warner Bros. Pictures)
On the Screen: ‘Companion’ provides an entertaining critique of digital romance

There are interesting ideas here about what human connection looks like in a world where people are increasingly siloed away into digital spaces.

Mark Jurek directs the Soldotna High School band at a rehersal on Oct. 11, 2022 at Soldotna High School in Soldotna Alaska. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
SoHi jazz band and swing choir fundraiser concert set for Feb. 11

The show will feature SoHi’s jazz band, swing choir, “several vocal soloists” and a variety of cheesecakes.

Virginia Walters (Courtesy photo)
Life in the Pedestrian Lane: January’s done

This has been the strangest January I can remember, and to hear others, apparently it’s pretty unprecedented.

This 1931 photograph from the Wrangell Sentinel shows the Wrangell public school where Jean Hofstad (the former Nellie McCullagh) taught during the 1940s.
Mostly separate lives: The union and disunion of Nellie and Keith — Part 4

The two members of what the Cordova Daily Times had once called a “popular young couple” began carving out separate lives.

Galbi jjim, or braised beef short ribs, are prepared for lunar new year and celebrate the year of the snake. (Photo by Tressa Dale/Peninsula Clarion)
Beginning the year of the snake

The lunar new year took place Wednesday, Jan. 29.

Most Read