- Be sure your costume is clean. Check this out and attend
to this task - one week before your Event. Are any repairs required?
Check all zippers and seams. Nothing looks worse than a mascot costume
held together with duct tape and pins.
- Have your fan's battery packs been fully charged? Plug
your battery into the charger for 12 hours. A fully charged battery
will last approximately 4 hours.
- Have you frozen your gel packs for your cooling vest?
Transport these and any extra ice packs in a cooler to your Event. You
will need 4 ice packs for approximately 4 hours of performance time--if
your Event is scheduled to run longer, you may wish to purchase additional
gel packs...See Accessories
- Make sure everything you need for your costume, lunch,
fluids and any props, tickets or I.D. for entry, etc. are ready to go
into your carry bag the day of the Event. Make a checklist of all items
required.
- Admission or tickets to get into the venue. Be certain
you have the necessary pass, ticket, or id for entry. Many an engagement
has been ruined by a forgotten entry pass or an uncooperative security
person.
- Know where you need to be and when. Pre-arrange a meeting
time and place with your chaperone. Know your hand signals in advance.
(See Performer Safety.) Find
out where the amenities are, where your change area is, what other characters
and entertainers you will be working with and the area they will be
working in.
- Wear as little clothing as possible, a swimsuit or cotton
shorts and a tank top work great. Feet forms are usually one-size fits
all and only socks are worn inside. Be aware of the temperature and
of how hot it will get inside the mascot costume. Test out and inspect
your entire cooling system: fan system and vest prior to your Event.
Visit the bathroom before you get into your costume.
- Check a mirror to make sure that your costume looks right,
before you go out in public. If adjustments are necessary, make them
before beginning your performance. Nobody should see you get into or
out of your costume. NEVER take your mascot's head off in public.
- On hot days, stay as much in the shade or indoors as
possible. Heatstroke and dehydration are real possibilities and are
common among mascot performers. Take scheduled breaks
to prevent overheating. Either restrict the length of your sessions
in costume or alternate with your chaperone. Wear as little as possible
under your costume.
- Keep your fluid level up, particularly
on a hot day. Have plenty of water available at the performing site,
and a long straw, so that you can hydrate while still in costume. A
headache is one warning sign that you are starting to dehydrate. Stay
away from sweet sodas or alchoholic beverages as these drinks only increase
dehydration.
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