Contestants both walked across a stage or a cleared area of the dance floor. The speedy progress within the variety of individuals cosplaying as a interest because the Nineties has made the phenomenon a significant aspect of popular tradition in Japan and some other elements of Asia and within the Western world. Cosplay events are common features of fan conventions and there are additionally dedicated conventions and native and worldwide competitions, in addition to social networks, websites and different types of media centered on cosplay activities.

Ackerman wore a "Hunchbackerman of Notre Dame" costume to the third Worldcon , which included a masks designed and created by Ray Harryhausen, however soon stopped wearing costumes to conventions. Douglas wore an Akka costume (from A. Merritt's novel The Moon Pool), the masks once more made by Harryhausen, to the 3rd Worldcon and a Snake Mother costume (another Merritt costume, from The Snake Mother) to the 4th Worldcon . Fan costuming caught on, however, and the 2nd Worldcon had each an unofficial masquerade held in Douglas' room and an official masquerade as a part of the programme.
David Kyle won the masquerade wearing a Ming the Merciless costume created by Leslie Perri, whereas Robert A. W. Lowndes obtained second place with a Bar Senestro costume (from the novel The Blind Spot by Austin Hall and Homer Eon Flint). E. todoroki in a maid outfit Smith as Northwest Smith (from C. L. deku new costume Moore's collection of short tales) and both Ackerman and Douglas wearing their futuristicostumes again. killer queen cosplay Masquerades and costume balls continued to be part of World Science Fiction Convention tradition thereafter. Early Worldcon masquerade balls featured a band, dancing, food and drinks.