Competitions
Competitions are a showcase for talent and artistry. Please read the following information carefully because in order for your entry to qualify, it must adhere to the rules. Official voting will take place in the afternoon, votes will be tabulated, and the winners will be announced during the evening festivities. Winners will be duly recognized for their efforts. We understand it takes much thought, time and effort to create an entry so appropriate recognition and rewards will be given during the award ceremony.
All contest entries will be collected Saturday morning during Registration.
Please read the rules carefully! Competition entries not meeting the criteria will be disqualified at the judgment of the Convention committee. Please do not share what you are making for the competitions with anyone so the voting process is fair for everyone.
Competition 1: Nifty Fifties Diorama
Open to attendees only. Limited to 1 entry per person.
Plan a diorama or scene reflective of the Fabulous 50s theme. This might be a retro diner, a drive in movie, a sock hop, an ice cream parlor, a cool cruiser, a roller rink, a bowling date, or any theme you can imagine that has that retro '50s vibe.The diorama must be no larger than 18 inches long by 18 inches deep x 18 inches high. The diorama may contain props and dolls made by you and purchased by you. Diorama must include a minimum of one Topper doll. Dioramas will be judged on overall creativity, use of props and dolls, and reflection of the theme.
Competition 2: Cool Cat Clothing Contest
Open to attendees only. Limited to 1 entry per person.
Dress your best! Dig out your poodle skirts, circle skirts, swing dresses, pencil skirts, rolled up jeans, polka dot dresses, cardigans, saddle shoes, kitten heels, gloves, scarves, and jumpers.
Let's see your style whether it is rockabilly, Greaser, pin up girl, or girl-next-door!
A fashion parade will take place in the morning in case the attendee prefers to change into other clothing later.
Competition 3: Shake Rattle and Roll Photo Contest
Open to attendees and non-attendees. Limited to 2 entries per person.
Submit an 8 x 10 inch photo reflecting the Shake Rattle and Roll theme. Photos may be color or black and white. The use of photo software is permitted. Show us your digital talent in creating some awesome prints of our favorite dolls! Photos may be displayed in a photo frame if you provide one.
For non-attendees: Photos must be received by October 1, 2023. Please mail your photos to Nancy Collins, 10620 Southern Highlands Pkwy, Suite 110-264, Las Vegas, NV 89141, USA. Please attach a note with your full name and email address. Photos will NOT be returned to non-attendees.
Competition 4: Meet Me at Arnold's (Custom Outfit)
Open to attendees only. Limited to 2 enties per person.
The American diner is a home away from home for many Americans. Often open 24 hours a day, the diner is a place to socialize, eat when working a late shift or enjoy a meal any time of day.
Arnold's was the iconic diner and local hangout, attached to a drive-in, in the '50s nostalgia sitcom Happy Days that ran from 1974-1984. It's where our favorite greaser-with-a-heart-of-gold Arthur Fonzarelli (Henry Winkler) held court amidst nerdy pals Richie (Ron Howard), Potsie (Anson Williams) and Ralph Malph (Don Most).
For this contest, dress a male or female Topper doll as if s/he was hanging out at Arnold's. The Topper doll should be left original but s/he must be wearing a custom outfit and it must be the craftsmanship of the attendee only. Purchased props including shoes are allowed. Please supply your own doll stand.
Competition 5: Soda Fountain Sweetheart (Custom Doll)
Open to attendees only. Limited to 2 entries per person.
When you think of the mid-century years—especially those iconic 1950s—no hangout surpasses the soda fountain as a symbol of the times. Many soda fountains were counter-service operations in drugstores such as Woolworth and Kresge, and others were standalone soda shops, otherwise known as malt shops.
Soda fountains weren’t merely places to get some sweets and eats. They were popular gathering places, particularly for teenagers and young adults, and even epicenters of social life in some communities.
For this contest, begin with any original Topper female doll and customize her into a Soda Fountain Sweetheart. This might include new hair, face paint, a nifty outfit, and 50's accessories. This doll may be the craftmanship of the attendee or be purchased or commissioned by the attendee. Please supply your own doll stand.
Competition 6: Background Check
We all love taking photos of our dolls. To some that is the most fun part of the hobby.
For this contest, create a backdrop for our travel dolls so we can snap some photos. This backdrop can be any place related to the Nifty Fifites or Las Vegas. Maybe you see our travel dolls in front of the Bellagio fountain or at the iconic Welcome to Las Vegas sign. Maybe you see our travel dolls in a malt shop. Maybe you see our travel dolls in a roller rink. You create the backdrop and then we can all take photos! It is up to the attendee to assure their background stands and is stable. Construction is up to the attendee. Entries will be judged on creativity, theme, construction method, and how great it looks in a photo.
Attendees: Please bring an appropriately dressed travel doll if you wish to take photos in front of the entries.
Competition 7: Mash Up Outfit (Also Known As Dawn Reimagined)
Open to attendees only. Limited to 2 entries per person.
The contest is to re-purpose the original Topper outfits named Party Puffery and/or Maxi Mod into a new and spectacular creation! These two Topper fashions are easy to find and represent the convention colors. They are pictured below for reference.
1. The Topper outfit(s) must be altered in some way. You may use any combination of Party Puffery and/or Maxi Mod and as many of each as you wish.
2. For the areas that can be seen, you are limited to what you can salvage from the Topper outfits.
3. You can alter the look of the original Topper outfit; dying or painting is allowed.
4. If it doesn't show you can also use non-Topper items such as interfacing, snaps, etc.
5. The closures for the outfit do not have to be Topper.
6. The contest entry must be made by the convention attendee.
7. Sewing is optional; glue, staples, sticky tape are all allowed!
8. The custom outfit must be displayed on one of the original four dolls, Dawn, Dale, Glori or Angie. The dolls cannot be customized in any way; they must look the same as they when they were first released by Topper.
9. Please bring "before" pictures! It's not required but it would be fun to see what you started with. Please do not harm any mint condition outfits.
10. You must provide your own doll stand.
All contest entries will be collected Saturday morning during Registration.
Please read the rules carefully! Competition entries not meeting the criteria will be disqualified at the judgment of the Convention committee. Please do not share what you are making for the competitions with anyone so the voting process is fair for everyone.
Competition 1: Nifty Fifties Diorama
Open to attendees only. Limited to 1 entry per person.
Plan a diorama or scene reflective of the Fabulous 50s theme. This might be a retro diner, a drive in movie, a sock hop, an ice cream parlor, a cool cruiser, a roller rink, a bowling date, or any theme you can imagine that has that retro '50s vibe.The diorama must be no larger than 18 inches long by 18 inches deep x 18 inches high. The diorama may contain props and dolls made by you and purchased by you. Diorama must include a minimum of one Topper doll. Dioramas will be judged on overall creativity, use of props and dolls, and reflection of the theme.
Competition 2: Cool Cat Clothing Contest
Open to attendees only. Limited to 1 entry per person.
Dress your best! Dig out your poodle skirts, circle skirts, swing dresses, pencil skirts, rolled up jeans, polka dot dresses, cardigans, saddle shoes, kitten heels, gloves, scarves, and jumpers.
Let's see your style whether it is rockabilly, Greaser, pin up girl, or girl-next-door!
A fashion parade will take place in the morning in case the attendee prefers to change into other clothing later.
Competition 3: Shake Rattle and Roll Photo Contest
Open to attendees and non-attendees. Limited to 2 entries per person.
Submit an 8 x 10 inch photo reflecting the Shake Rattle and Roll theme. Photos may be color or black and white. The use of photo software is permitted. Show us your digital talent in creating some awesome prints of our favorite dolls! Photos may be displayed in a photo frame if you provide one.
For non-attendees: Photos must be received by October 1, 2023. Please mail your photos to Nancy Collins, 10620 Southern Highlands Pkwy, Suite 110-264, Las Vegas, NV 89141, USA. Please attach a note with your full name and email address. Photos will NOT be returned to non-attendees.
Competition 4: Meet Me at Arnold's (Custom Outfit)
Open to attendees only. Limited to 2 enties per person.
The American diner is a home away from home for many Americans. Often open 24 hours a day, the diner is a place to socialize, eat when working a late shift or enjoy a meal any time of day.
Arnold's was the iconic diner and local hangout, attached to a drive-in, in the '50s nostalgia sitcom Happy Days that ran from 1974-1984. It's where our favorite greaser-with-a-heart-of-gold Arthur Fonzarelli (Henry Winkler) held court amidst nerdy pals Richie (Ron Howard), Potsie (Anson Williams) and Ralph Malph (Don Most).
For this contest, dress a male or female Topper doll as if s/he was hanging out at Arnold's. The Topper doll should be left original but s/he must be wearing a custom outfit and it must be the craftsmanship of the attendee only. Purchased props including shoes are allowed. Please supply your own doll stand.
Competition 5: Soda Fountain Sweetheart (Custom Doll)
Open to attendees only. Limited to 2 entries per person.
When you think of the mid-century years—especially those iconic 1950s—no hangout surpasses the soda fountain as a symbol of the times. Many soda fountains were counter-service operations in drugstores such as Woolworth and Kresge, and others were standalone soda shops, otherwise known as malt shops.
Soda fountains weren’t merely places to get some sweets and eats. They were popular gathering places, particularly for teenagers and young adults, and even epicenters of social life in some communities.
For this contest, begin with any original Topper female doll and customize her into a Soda Fountain Sweetheart. This might include new hair, face paint, a nifty outfit, and 50's accessories. This doll may be the craftmanship of the attendee or be purchased or commissioned by the attendee. Please supply your own doll stand.
Competition 6: Background Check
We all love taking photos of our dolls. To some that is the most fun part of the hobby.
For this contest, create a backdrop for our travel dolls so we can snap some photos. This backdrop can be any place related to the Nifty Fifites or Las Vegas. Maybe you see our travel dolls in front of the Bellagio fountain or at the iconic Welcome to Las Vegas sign. Maybe you see our travel dolls in a malt shop. Maybe you see our travel dolls in a roller rink. You create the backdrop and then we can all take photos! It is up to the attendee to assure their background stands and is stable. Construction is up to the attendee. Entries will be judged on creativity, theme, construction method, and how great it looks in a photo.
Attendees: Please bring an appropriately dressed travel doll if you wish to take photos in front of the entries.
Competition 7: Mash Up Outfit (Also Known As Dawn Reimagined)
Open to attendees only. Limited to 2 entries per person.
The contest is to re-purpose the original Topper outfits named Party Puffery and/or Maxi Mod into a new and spectacular creation! These two Topper fashions are easy to find and represent the convention colors. They are pictured below for reference.
1. The Topper outfit(s) must be altered in some way. You may use any combination of Party Puffery and/or Maxi Mod and as many of each as you wish.
2. For the areas that can be seen, you are limited to what you can salvage from the Topper outfits.
3. You can alter the look of the original Topper outfit; dying or painting is allowed.
4. If it doesn't show you can also use non-Topper items such as interfacing, snaps, etc.
5. The closures for the outfit do not have to be Topper.
6. The contest entry must be made by the convention attendee.
7. Sewing is optional; glue, staples, sticky tape are all allowed!
8. The custom outfit must be displayed on one of the original four dolls, Dawn, Dale, Glori or Angie. The dolls cannot be customized in any way; they must look the same as they when they were first released by Topper.
9. Please bring "before" pictures! It's not required but it would be fun to see what you started with. Please do not harm any mint condition outfits.
10. You must provide your own doll stand.
