Without question, the MOST popular facet of G-FEST is the costume thread! Fans who spend the better part of the previous year creating their own Kaiju inspired costumes head to Chicago to each July to partake in one of the most unique contest contests around. This was my ninth G-FEST and it amazes me just how much its grown since I tried my hand at costume making and entered my own kids in the contest years ago.

Leia, Alex, and Jade Fuentes

Of course most of the contestants don’t end up having as disastrous results as I did when I first tried my hand at costume making back in G-FEST XI. I had spray-painted foam swimming logs to make Mecha-King Ghidorah’s necks which began flaking off all over The Crowne Plaza floor prior to the parade. My poor son, Alex, overheated from the contest, waited patiently for his name to be called before promptly throwing up all over himself  just in time for us to march past the judges.  I didn’t give up, however, and we made more piratical costumes for future G-FESTS. The first year we attended, a talented costume maker named Paul Gavins created a breath-taking Mecha-Godzilla III costume that would warrant display for years to come.

Mr. Gavins has since gone on to lead the G-FEST costume thread while taking it to new heights! Contestants are now able to plod around in miniature cities and, this year, an island setting as they not only get them ready for the Saturday night parade but also spend the weekend filming their own kaiju movie which will then debut the following year. But more on that another time…

Ladies and gentlemen….check out some of 2012’s Kaiju costumes! I guarantee, it’s like no other fashion show you’ve ever seen!

Battra was well-represented at G-FEST XIX

Gamera in serious trouble at G-FEST XIX

Photos by Dave Fuentes~