San Diego Reader

While walking to my car in Balboa Park on Sunday afternoon, I ran across a group of cosplayers. I thought they were Dungeons and Dragons enthusiasts. Turns out I was wrong. I had never heard the term cosplay until Shannon Downer (that really is her name) pictured below, used it. According to her, cosplay is basically costume play. Once a week she and a group of about ten others gather in Balboa Park to hang out while dressed as comic book or film characters.

Name: Shannon Downer

Age: 19

Occupation: Student

Shannon’s character is the dark gun-toting version of Alice from Alice in Wonderland.

Names: Jasmine Tucker on the left, Marina MacDonald on the right

Ages: both are 19

Occupations: Marina-Student, Jasmine, Kohl's employee

Jasmine said that normally their costumes are more elaborate. They try to keep it casual while in Balboa Park. Marina’s costume is a steampunk version of the White Rabbit. Jasmine is dressed up as the comic version of Lady Gaga

Also pictured is Sydney Bell (pink wig) and Mykee Hernandez ( mask). According to Sydney, her mom finds her cosplay, “really weird.”