Cosplay for a Cause seeks vendors for charity event

Cosplay for a Cause is designed to raise money for Children’s of Mississippi Hospital. The event, which will take place on October 1, is currently in need of more vendors.

Colie Hudson is the one responsible for putting it all together. She is a cosplayer herself who enjoys dressing up as different characters to connect with friends and have fun. She said the idea sparked from seeing her friends in New York enjoy get-togethers in costume. Her friends, “have fun all the time. They decide on a show or anime and all get-together and spend the day taking pictures. It seemed like such a great idea to me; a way to see your cosplay friends besides just at con.” Hudson mentioned the cons in Jackson, MS, are done pretty early in the year. October seemed like a good time to have a costumed celebration.

Photo courtesy of Colie Hudson

Hudson said the event only grew from there. She wanted a way for cosplayers to come together and do what they love, but for a good cause.

Photo courtesy of Colie Hudson

“I didn’t want to host just a photo shoot, I wanted a way to give back to the community at the same time,” said Hudson. “Once I decided to be a charity event, I reached out to a few friends,”

Hudson contacted fellow cosplayers, Randi Kelly from Meridian and Marie Upchurch from Coffeeville. She says they connected on TikTok and eventually met in person at a con. After she expressed her idea to them, they both agreed that it was a good plan.

“(They) immediately helped me start to brainstorm! I’m definitely thankful for their shared interest in the event!” exclaimed Hudson.

Larry Walker has donated his photography skills, Jessica Slade Photography will be there and Anne Elizabeth Photography will also be in attendance. Additionally, Hudson enlisted her mother, Racheal Hollowell of Bella la Vita Photography.

“She was the very first person I asked to be one of the photographers,” Hudson said. “In the past, she hosted a few charity events and it’s her drive and dedication to her community that inspires me to become an asset as well.”

Walker of Skywalker Studios has also offered to donate his space for the event.

“I’m super grateful to Larry Walker for donating his space. I was struggling trying to find a place that I thought would work best for the event. What better place than a selfie studio?”

Special guests Shine Cosplay and Kizuna Cosplay will be judging a costume contest and will award prizes to first, second and third place guests. The entry fee is $20 and is open to the public.

Hudson expressed what cosplay means to her and why she thinks it’s so special to share with others. Hudson mentioned that she struggled with self-consciousness and insecurity before she started cosplaying. Thanks to cosplay, she has learned to be more body positive and love herself as she is.

Photo courtesy of Colie Hudson

“It’s become such an important part of my life. Not only because it allows me to dress up as my favorite characters, meet new people and challenge my creativity, but because it has taught me to love myself and to love my body,” said Hudson. “I feel like so many people struggle with the ‘ideal standard of beauty and body types,’ when true beauty goes so much deeper than that,” Hudson says cosplay is for everyone and everybody, and that’s why she loves it so much.

Cosplay for a Cause is looking for vendors who can set up their own tables and chairs to sell products. Hudson is charging only $50 for each booth. Vendors are welcome but not required to donate any more than that.

Cosplay for a Cause will be held at Picture This, Selfie Studio in the Outlet Mall at 4000 S Frontage Road. Hudson hopes the event will become annual and plans to choose a different cause each year to support. This year, all proceeds will be given to Children’s of Mississippi.