Attractions
Sponsored by Dorky Dino
Midwest Gamefest is hosting our annual in-person Art Show again this year, including an art contest and auction, courtesy of Dorky Dino!
The Art Show is located in the Earth room, between the Registration desk and the hotel lobby. Come browse the artwork or enter your own original work in the contest, auction, or both. All kinds of artwork are accepted, including painted miniatures. Tell your friends by sharing this page (and watch for our soon-to-be-published Facebook event).
Sponsored by Dorky Dino
Dorky Dino’s Art Show is back for a second year at Midwest Gamefest: join us for an art contest and auction!
Photo courtesy Dorky Dino
The Art Show is located in the Wood Room, directly to the left of the entrance. Come browse the artwork at your leisure, or enter your own original work in either the contest, auction, or both. All kinds of artwork are accepted, including painted miniatures. Tell your friends by sharing this page or our Facebook event.
Art Contest
The contest will include four categories:
- Children (Ages 0-12)
- Teens (Ages 13-18)
- Adult Hobbyist (Aged 19+)
- Adult Professional (Aged 19+)
For the purpose of the contest, “professional” is defined as anyone who is paid to create artwork.
Prizes
Midwest GameFest is offering prizes for the First, Second and Third place in each category, as decided by our judges.
- First Place: $30 cash prize, a mini trophy from Crypt Monkey Studios, a Dorky Dino sticker pack, and a 1st place certificate
- Second Place: $10 cash prize, a mini trophy from Crypt Monkey Studios, a Dorky Dino sticker pack, and a 2nd place certificate
- Third Place: A mini trophy from Crypt Monkey Studios, a Dorky Dino sticker pack, and a 3rd place certificate
Winners must be present to receive their award. Winners will be announced Saturday at 6pm at the Registration desk. Prizes must be picked up from Registration during open hours by Sunday at 2pm.
Judges
We have a distinguished panel of judges for the contest.
Brandi Miller
Photo courtesy Dorky Dino
Brandi is a professional graphic designer and the owner of her own art business called Dorky Dino. Her works have been featured on Buzzfeed, Rent the Runway, The Mindhut, and others. Meet Brandi at booth E03 in the Elements Ballroom.
Dawn Rucker
Photo courtesy Crypt Monkey Studios
Dawn prints and paints miniatures professionally, and streams her paintings live on Twitch. She has received awards for her minis at Archon, Midwest Gamefest, and various online painting competitions. Meet Dawn at her booth in the Elements Ballroom.
David Clark
Photo courtesy Dragonclaw Chainmaille
David is a professional chainmail artist. Crafting with metal rings for eight years to create art projects with a unique medium. He owns his own business DragonClaw ChainMaille where he was recently named a Kansas City Rising Star by VoyageKC magazine. Meet David at his booth in the Elements Ballroom.
Contest Entry
- Contestants must have a weekend or Saturday badge. Badges can be purchased at the event or online.
- Artists must submit a contest entry form and a separate artist sheet. These can be filled out in advance or at the event.
- Limit 5 entries per artist. Each entrant may only win one prize.
- The deadline for art contest entry is Saturday at 10am.
- Grid walls with hangers and clips will be available to display your artwork, as well as tables for artwork that cannot be hung.
- Winners must be present to receive their award.
- Winners will be announced Saturday at 6pm at the Registration desk. Prizes must be picked up from Registration during open hours by Sunday at 2pm.
Art Auction
Artwork will be displayed in the Wood Room and bidding will be done as a silent auction. Artists will set a starting price and will also have the option to set a "buy it now" price. The end of the silent auction will be Sunday at 1pm, at which time buyers will need to be present to pay for any artwork they have won. If the buyer is not present it will go to the next highest bidder.
Bidding and Buying Artwork
- Bidding will be done as a silent auction. There will be a sheet of paper to place bids.
- Bids must be in a minimum of $1 increments.
- Buyers may purchase instantly at the "buy it now" price at the cash register in the Wood Room.
- The end of the silent auction will be Sunday at 1pm, at which time buyers will need to be present to pay for any artwork they have won. If the buyer is not present it will go to the next highest bidder.
Auctioning Your Artwork
- To enter the art auction, artists must have a weekend or Saturday badge. Badges can be purchased at the event or online.
- Artists must submit a contest entry form and a separate artist sheet. These can be filled out in advance or at the event.
- Limit 5 artworks per entrant.
- A photo I.D. is required to put an item up for sale.
- The deadline for auction entry is Saturday at 10am.
- The end of the silent auction will be Sunday at 1pm.
- Artists may set a starting price and an optional “buy it now” price.
- Artists will need to pick up their cash by 2pm Sunday. If you opt-in to accept credit card payments, you will be paid via PayPal the week after the convention.
- Grid walls with hangers and clips will be available to display your artwork, as well as tables for artwork that cannot be hung.
- Midwest GameFest will keep a 15% commission from your total sales. For example: if the finishing bid for your sold item totals $50, you will receive $42.50, and Midwest GameFest keeps $7.50 (15% ). Any items left unclaimed at the end of the convention become the property of the Midwest GameFest.
For example: if the finishing bid for your sold item totals $50, you will receive $42.50, and Midwest GameFest keeps $7.50 (15%). Any items left unclaimed at the end of the convention become the property of the Midwest GameFest.
Photo courtesy Dorky Dino
Special Guest Richard Norton brings his traveling Artemis Spaceship Bridge Simulator to Midwest GameFest! Artemis lets you and your team of players assume the roles of Captain, Helm, Science, Communication, Engineering, Weapon Control, and Fighter Pilot. Together, you operate your ship and defend the sector from invading aliens and monster threats. Richard brings a complete bridge solution with workstations, a main view screen, a joystick for the pilot, music, and more!
Midwest GameFest is holding a food drive and benefit event for Harvesters again this year. Help us help those in need by donating non-perishable foods at the registration desk. Each qualifying donated food item is good for one ticket at our benefit raffle drawing Saturday evening!
Friday Afternoon Only: December 2, 2022 1pm-5:30pm
This year we are hosting a Red Cross Blood Drive Friday afternoon from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m.! It's a great way to support the community and help fellow gamers.
From Blitzkrieg to North Africa, from the Russian Front to the D-Day Landings, Bolt Action puts YOU in command of the most brutal and famous battles of the Second World War.
Assemble and paint your brave men and armored tanks, field them on a table-top battlefield, and use all your strategy, cunning and luck to defeat your opponent.
The United States CATAN tournament consists of local qualifying tournaments that take place year-round. The winners of each of the tournaments win a seat at the CATAN United States National Championship, which is normally held in June at Origins Game Fair in Columbus, OH. Players face off against all other winners of the Qualifier tournaments to become the year’s CATAN United States Champion.
In addition to traditional games of all kinds, Midwest GameFest also features some great cosplay opportunities! You won't want to miss our how-tos, celebrity discussion, and the Saturday Cosplay Contest!
Thanks for your interest in the annual Midwest GameFest Cosplay Contest! Needless to say, cosplayers and gamers have a lot in common, and we seek to strengthen those bonds with our annual contest. Tell your friends by sharing this page or our Facebook event.
Sign-Ups
We have a limited number of spots. Registration for the cosplay contest will continue until spots are full or on Saturday at 5pm, whichever comes first.
Note: The cosplay pre-judging and contest will be held on the stage in the Earth room. Look for a map in your convention program or ask a volunteer for directions if needed. Someone will be available at the registration desk to assist you.
Prizes
Midwest GameFest is offering cash prizes for First Place, Second Place, and Third Place in the adult and children's categories, as decided by our judges, as well as certificates for a number of other categories. Winners must be present to receive their award.
Adults Cosplay Contest
We will have pre-judging and take craftmanship into consideration.
- $50 First Place
- $30 Second Place
- $20 Third Place
Kids Cosplay Contest
No pre-judging for children, just show up amd walk the stage with the adult cosplayers.
- $20 First Place
- $15 Second Place
- $10 Third Place
Judges
Heather Anderson, Erica Rainae, and Elizabeth Robertsson will be judging our in-person cosplay contest for 2022. Each is a gifted cosplayer and we would like to thank them for their generosity and help with judging.
Heather Anderson
Photo courtesy Pense Productions
Heather Anderson of Lothlorien Woods Cosplay is originally from Indianapolis but has lived in the KC area for the past few years. She first started cosplaying in 2008 at her first Gencon. She prides herself in creating fun cosplays on a tight budget, usually creating at least one new cosplay a year.
Erica Rainae
Photo courtesy Erica Rainae Cosplay
Erica Rainae is a self-taught designer of cosplays and costumes. She has been working on costumes for over 20 years and loves taking on challenges. She enjoys being pushed to think outside the norms and loves mashups and expressive costumes. Check out her work at Erica Rainae Cosplay.
Elizabeth Robertson
Photo courtesy Jedi Lizzy
Erica Robertson (aka Jedi Lizzy) loves cosplaying on a budget with her husband and kids. She's been helping as a volunteer at Recruits for over a decade and loves to introduce new people to the cosplay hobby. As Jedi Lizzy she crafts handmade items, customs, and geekery!
Contest Rules
There are really very few rules this year... except to have fun! This year's contest is casual and while we encourage people to create their cosplays and display their craftsmanship, we want every type of cosplayer to feel like they have something to offer even if they are not cosplay crafters. Whether you make everything from scratch, piece stuff together from the thrift store, or purchase your costume from the local costume shop, you are all encouraged to enter our cosplay contest. Everyone will have a fair chance to win something.
All cosplay contestants must follow our standard Cosplay Policy in addition to the following:
Requirements
- Contestants must have a weekend or Saturday badge in their name. These can be purchased at the event or online.
- Contestants must submit a Contest Entry Form.
- Contestants must be 13 years or older to enter the adult category.
- If under 16, contestants must have a legal guardian present.
- If under 18, contestants must have parental permission to enter.
- Cosplays can be from any genre: anime, books, comics, games, movies, etc.
- Cosplays must pass the weapons check.
Restrictions
- Cosplays will have a maximum of one minute on stage and runway.
- Cosplays can contain no more than three (3) people per group unless approved by the judges.
- Contestants must alert the cosplay judges beforehand if they are going to say or do anything out of the ordinary on stage.
- Contestants may not make religious, political, or any other demonstrations that could offend others.
- Contestants must avoid danger to themselves or others. No throwing objects. No fire. No confetti. No fog machines. No Nerf bullets. No shooting or launching objects.
Stage Rules
- When on stage contestants will use a three-point system for poses.
- Contestants may not throw anything at/to the audience.
- Contestants may not say or yell anything offensive.
- Contestants must remove anything they take on stage with them.
Schedule for Cosplayers
- Contestants will need to sign up or check in by 5pm Saturday afternoon.
- The contest will happen between 5pm and 7pm. You will need to get there beforehand for practice.
- Awards will happen after the cosplay contest.
- Times
- 5:00pm pre-judging at stage
- 5:30pm-6:30pm contest
- 6:30pm parade to Elements Ballroom
- 7:00pm announce winners and award certs
General
- Our cosplay staff has the right to disqualify anyone for any reason.
- We reserve the right to add and modify rules as necessary.
Questions
If you have any questions or concerns about your cosplay, email our Cosplay Coordinator at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
Stories abound in these parts about the Dungeon o' Dooooom. A buried labyrinth filled with riches beyond the dreams of avarice but guarded by the fiendish servants of the dungeon's creators. Are you brave enough to face the terrors within? Many try, but few succeed. Join up with others to defeat the denizens of the dungeon in this fun and danger-filled romp through an awesome labyrinth.
Midwest GameFest is pleased to provide an extensive board game library provided by our organizing body, The Role-players Guild of Kansas City. The Game LIbrary contains some of the most popular and sought after board games, established classics, and hard-to-find jewels. It contains board games and card games of all kinds, from your basic family games like "Monopoly" and "Scrabble" to modern cloassics like "Settlers of Catan" and "Ticket to Ride," and "Pandemic."
The Gamer Garage Sale provides an opportunity for attendees to sell used games and gaming-related items at the convention. It is open most of the show.
Join us for an exquisite steampunk-era skyship race on the high sands of Mars! A sight to behold and tell your children about. Ships provided.
Make your own character your way and bring it from one convention to another. That's organized play. And we've got several different game systems that support it here at Midwest GameFest. Whether you're rocking medeival fantasy with D&D and Pathfinder, cruising the stars with Starfinder, seeking honor in feudal Rokugan, or trying to avoid the corps in Shadowrun, there's something for you here.
Whether you're a novice or an experienced painter, our Paint and Take offers a great way to "brush up" your miniature painting skills. Kids love it, experienced painters can share what they know, new folks find a fun new hobby, and everyone learns something along the way. Come explore some new techniques, pique your curiousity, or find a new life-long hobby!
Midwest GameFest features a line-up of fun panels, workshops, seminars, and acts on a range of topics and interests. From industry insiders and how-tos to local bands and comedians, there's always something worth your time. Check back later this year as we update this page with details.
Midwest GameFest's Play-to-Win program, sponsored by Double Exposure's Envoy program, is available to all convention attendees that play a copy of the Play-to-Win games listed below. The winner(s) receive one copy of the game that was used for this program, not a new copy. It is sponsored by one or more generous game companies that donated a copy of the Play-to-Win game to raise awareness of their products.
Rules
- Check out a copy of a Play-to-Win Game, when available, from the Game Library.
- Find a space and play the game.
- Return to the Game Library with a list of the first and last names of those who participated/played in the Play-to-Win game. Game Library staff will track participant/player entries.
- Check-in the copy of the game.
Winning
The Play-to-Win game drawings will take place and winners' names will be posted at the Game Library on Sunday at 1pm. Players must be present at the convention to win. If a winner’s name is posted and they fail to pick up their game by Sundat at 1:15pm, then a new winner will be selected for that game and posted.
Note: Unclaimed games will be donated to the KantCon Game Library.
Available Games
Here's a complete list of our Play-to-Win titles this year:
- Arcana Rising
- Arkham Ritual
- Berried Treasure
- Bohnanza
- Bristol 1350
- Cabo Deluxe
- Cellulose
- Chronicles of Crime 1400
- Convert
- Coralia
- Coup
- Cover Your Kingdom
- Crew: Mission Deep Sea, The
- Crossed Words
- Darwinning
- Deadlies, The
- Dealt!
- Disney Sorcerer's Arena: Epic Alliances
- Dome Crushers
- Dreams of Tomorrow
- Echidna Shuffle
- Eight Minute Empire: Legends
- Ferret Out
- Fistful of Penguins, A
- Flapjacks and Sasquatches
- Furnace
- Gorus Maximus
- Hero Realms
- Juicy Fruits
- Key to the Kingdom
- Kids Chronicles: Quest for the Moon Stones
- Kill the Unicorns
- Luck
- LUNA Capitol
- Mechanica
- Meeple Party
- Mountains Out of Molehills
- Noch Mal So Gut (Bravo)
- Paris: City of Lights
- Phantom Ink
- Picture Perfect
- Plan, The
- Pomegranate Planet
- Raccoon Tycoon
- Ragnarocks
- Reign
- Reign of Dragoness
- Reputation
- Riftforce
- Roam
- Sherlock: Case Connections
- Silver Bullet
- Skull King
- Something Wicked
- Spicy Dice
- Spill, The
- Star Realms
- Thrive
- Triplock
- Trophies
- Truck Off Roll & Write
- Ubongo 3D
- Vault Wars
- VENN
- Vivid Memories
- What the Heck?
- White Hat
- Zombie Chase
Midwest GameFest's Play-to-Win program is available to all convention attendees that play a copy of the Play-to-Win games listed below. The winner(s) receive one copy of the game that was used for this program, not a new copy. It is sponsored by one or more generous game companies that donated a copy of the Play-to-Win game to raise awareness of their products.
Midwest GameFest includes a number of tabletop gaming industry insiders, artists, authors, and other special guests who will be running events and/or playing games on their own schedule at the convention. Some may even be available for panels or workshops. Don't miss an opportunity to hob-knob with your gaming heroes!
A Shot in the Dark
What happens when bounty hunters, smugglers, and all manner of criminals gather? Not violence — not in the Cantina. But when tensions rise high one night, a shot rings out as the lights go down, and now everyone has to figure out who shot first, and who they're going to turn in to the Hutts to maintain the peace.
All badge holders at Midwest GameFest are entitled to a SWAG bag (stuff we all get) donated by our friendly and supportive Sponsors.
