The name sounds epic, the game sounds mighty. The kind of "swords" I unleash upon my enemies are made of PVC pipe slid down the factory hold of some pool noodle then taped down to anchor it all together, and covered with a sock to make it look all pretty. They come in big and small, long and short, and even shields are made. Concerning your weapon composition I agree that they won't be allowed at the con, but my alternate version they will allow to be brought in, with peacebonding of course.
Finding someplace outside of the con space to use them, dowels or otherwise, gets a little tricky in Portland. If the con was at Lloyd Center Double Tree again, I'd say Holladay Park would be perfect.