Washington Midsummer Renaissance Faire 2013 | Bonney Lake, WA

A rider from the Ma’Ceo Gypsy Horse Extravaganza presented by Cavallo Equestrian Arts stands atop his two steeds during The Washington Midsummer Renaissance Faire Saturday, August 3, 2013, at The Kelley Farm in Bonney Lake. The event continues August 10-11 and 17-18. (Jordan Stead, seattlepi.com)

Variety comedian Brian Howard balances a sword on his chin for a watchful crowd during The Washington Midsummer Renaissance Faire Saturday, August 3, 2013, at The Kelley Farm in Bonney Lake. The event continues August 10-11 and 17-18. (Jordan Stead, seattlepi.com)

Eleven-year event employee Mary Osborn-Dixon, of Maui, grieves over a coffin and a collection of cross-adorned graves at The Washington Midsummer Renaissance Faire Saturday, August 3, 2013, at The Kelley Farm in Bonney Lake. The event continues August 10-11 and 17-18. (Jordan Stead, seattlepi.com)

An attendee dressed as Puss in Boots wanders the grounds during The Washington Midsummer Renaissance Faire Saturday, August 3, 2013, at The Kelley Farm in Bonney Lake. The event continues August 10-11 and 17-18. (Jordan Stead, seattlepi.com)

Richard Bailey, left, reaches for a bubble as Abbie Fulon, 13, right, pops one with her head during The Washington Midsummer Renaissance Faire Saturday, August 3, 2013, at The Kelley Farm in Bonney Lake. The event continues August 10-11 and 17-18. (Jordan Stead, seattlepi.com)

In addition to handmade root beer and weapons, pelts a plenty could be purchased by festivalgoers during The Washington Midsummer Renaissance Faire Saturday, August 3, 2013, at The Kelley Farm in Bonney Lake. The event continues August 10-11 and 17-18. (Jordan Stead, seattlepi.com)

Sakura-Con 2013 | Anime mania in Seattle

An attendee in a sniper's ghillie suit bides his time from a tree outside of the 16th annual Sakura-Con Sunday, March 31, 2013, at the Washington State Convention Center in Seattle. Presented by the Asia Northwest Cultural Education Association, Sakura-Con featured three days of anime theaters, gaming, cosplay, cultural panels, dances, concerts, art contests and industry guests. (Jordan Stead, seattlepi.com)

Colorful dots of creative costumes stand out from an overhead view during the 16th annual Sakura-Con Sunday, March 31, 2013, at the Washington State Convention Center in Seattle. Presented by the Asia Northwest Cultural Education Association, Sakura-Con featured three days of anime theaters, gaming, cosplay, cultural panels, dances, concerts, art contests and industry guests. (Jordan Stead, seattlepi.com)

A caped and rebellious group of attendees force a mock abduction on a young woman during the 16th annual Sakura-Con Sunday, March 31, 2013, at the Washington State Convention Center in Seattle. Presented by the Asia Northwest Cultural Education Association, Sakura-Con featured three days of anime theaters, gaming, cosplay, cultural panels, dances, concerts, art contests and industry guests. (Jordan Stead, seattlepi.com)

Alex Wilkens, 20, dressed as "Doctor Horrible," practices his instrument in the sunlight outside of the 16th annual Sakura-Con Sunday, March 31, 2013, at the Washington State Convention Center in Seattle. Presented by the Asia Northwest Cultural Education Association, Sakura-Con featured three days of anime theaters, gaming, cosplay, cultural panels, dances, concerts, art contests and industry guests. (Jordan Stead, seattlepi.com)

Jake Vincent, 20, dressed as "Havix," shows off his abstract contacts during the 16th annual Sakura-Con Sunday, March 31, 2013, at the Washington State Convention Center in Seattle. Presented by the Asia Northwest Cultural Education Association, Sakura-Con featured three days of anime theaters, gaming, cosplay, cultural panels, dances, concerts, art contests and industry guests. (Jordan Stead, seattlepi.com)

Groups of colorfully dressed attendees enjoy lunch outside during the 16th annual Sakura-Con Sunday, March 31, 2013, at the Washington State Convention Center in Seattle. Presented by the Asia Northwest Cultural Education Association, Sakura-Con featured three days of anime theaters, gaming, cosplay, cultural panels, dances, concerts, art contests and industry guests. (Jordan Stead, seattlepi.com)

Thousands of attendees enjoy the third day of the 16th annual Sakura-Con Sunday, March 31, 2013, at the Washington State Convention Center in Seattle. Presented by the Asia Northwest Cultural Education Association, Sakura-Con featured three days of anime theaters, gaming, cosplay, cultural panels, dances, concerts, art contests and industry guests. (Jordan Stead, seattlepi.com)

Thousands of attendees enjoy the third day of the 16th annual Sakura-Con Sunday, March 31, 2013, at the Washington State Convention Center in Seattle. Presented by the Asia Northwest Cultural Education Association, Sakura-Con featured three days of anime theaters, gaming, cosplay, cultural panels, dances, concerts, art contests and industry guests. (Jordan Stead, seattlepi.com)

Emerald City Comicon 2013

Alice Woods, left, kisses her boyfriend, Andrew Bowen, center left, while Fiona Bowen, center, waits in line as equine-headed attendees lurk nearby on the opening day of the annual Emerald City Comicon on Friday, March 1, 2013, in the Washington State Convention Center in Seattle, Wash. (Jordan Stead, for seattlepi.com)

Carolyn Atkinson, left, dressed as "Roxy LaLonde," compares firearms with super soldier Thomas Hasenoehrl, right, on the opening day of the annual Emerald City Comicon on Friday, March 1, 2013, in the Washington State Convention Center in Seattle, Wash. (Jordan Stead, for seattlepi.com)

Nadya Anton, dressed as "Lady Cyclops," poses for pictures for a horde of photographers on the opening day of the annual Emerald City Comicon on Friday, March 1, 2013, in the Washington State Convention Center in Seattle, Wash. (Jordan Stead, for seattlepi.com)

With rotting flesh and exposed teeth, Portland, OR, residents James French, right, and Andrew Glaspey, left, take a breather from the opening day of the annual Emerald City Comicon on Friday, March 1, 2013, outside of the Washington State Convention Center in Seattle, Wash. (Jordan Stead, for seattlepi.com)

Christopher Lowe, of Colorado, finds it difficult to operate his cell phone through the confines of his Star Wars stormtrooper outfit on the opening day of the annual Emerald City Comicon on Friday, March 1, 2013, in the Washington State Convention Center in Seattle, Wash. (Jordan Stead, for seattlepi.com)

Costumed attendees line up for the competition registration on the second day of the annual Emerald City Comicon on Saturday, March 2, 2013, in the Washington State Convention Center in Seattle, Wash. (Jordan Stead, for seattlepi.com)

Tom Bartlett, dressed as Captain America, shows off his costume to the panel of judges on the second day of the annual Emerald City Comicon on Saturday, March 2, 2013, in the Washington State Convention Center in Seattle, Wash. (Jordan Stead, for seattlepi.com)

A mysterious attendee awaits costume competition registration on the second day of the annual Emerald City Comicon on Saturday, March 2, 2013, in the Washington State Convention Center in Seattle, Wash. (Jordan Stead, for seattlepi.com)

Spartan soldiers from the Halo video game, right, celebrate their first place victory in the video game bracket of the costume competition on the second day of the annual Emerald City Comicon on Saturday, March 2, 2013, in the Washington State Convention Center in Seattle, Wash. (Jordan Stead, for seattlepi.com)

An attendee dressed as Dr. Doom waits for costume competition results on the second day of the annual Emerald City Comicon on Saturday, March 2, 2013, in the Washington State Convention Center in Seattle, Wash. Dr. Doom was later given first place in the appropriate bracket. (Jordan Stead, for seattlepi.com)

Brandon Nicholas, dressed as Batman, answers questions about his suit to a crowd of onlookers during the second day of the annual Emerald City Comicon on Saturday, March 2, 2013, in the Washington State Convention Center in Seattle, Wash. (Jordan Stead, for seattlepi.com)

Costumed attendees mix with the casually dressed during the second day of the annual Emerald City Comicon on Saturday, March 2, 2013, in the Washington State Convention Center in Seattle, Wash. (Jordan Stead, for seattlepi.com)

FaerieCon West | Seattle, Wash.

An attendee washes his hands after taking a bathroom break before returning to the festivities of FaerieCon West Saturday, Feb. 23, 2013, in Seattle, Wash. (Jordan Stead, for seattlepi.com)

Attendees pose for portraits during FaerieCon West Saturday, Feb. 23, 2013, in Seattle, Wash. Crowds of costume-clad attendees filled the venue, posing for pictures and comparing articles of clothing. (Jordan Stead, for seattlepi.com)

The DJ from the band Faun works the turntables during a performance at FaerieCon West Saturday, Feb. 23, 2013, in Seattle, Wash. (Jordan Stead, for seattlepi.com)

Kim Howard, center, and Pummy Kaur, right, take a break to eat during FaerieCon West Saturday, Feb. 23, 2013, in Seattle, Wash. (Jordan Stead, for seattlepi.com)

Attendees pose for portraits during FaerieCon West Saturday, Feb. 23, 2013, in Seattle, Wash. Crowds of costume-clad attendees filled the venue, posing for pictures and comparing articles of clothing. (Jordan Stead, for seattlepi.com)

Attendees pose for portraits during FaerieCon West Saturday, Feb. 23, 2013, in Seattle, Wash. Crowds of costume-clad attendees filled the venue, posing for pictures and comparing articles of clothing. (Jordan Stead, for seattlepi.com)