Get ready, pop-culture enthusiasts, FAN EXPO Vancouver is almost here
FAN EXPO takes over the Vancouver Convention Centre from February 15 to 17, bringing fun to cosplayers, “larpers”, congoers, and everyone in between over the Family Day weekend.
The festival is jam-packed with activities suitable for people of all ages and genders, as well as families.
Cosplay is strongly encouraged at the convention, so go ahead and dress as your favourite fictional character.
This year’s costume forecast predicts many fans dressed as the Witcher, Spider-Man, characters from My Hero Academia, the Joker, Harley Quinn, and possibly a Baby Yoda or two.
Fans brave enough to flaunt their getup can enter the costume contest, which is one of the several entertaining events happening over the weekend.
For those ready to proudly embrace their inner nerd, the following list of attractions is sure to excite you.
MEET FAVOURITE CELEBRITIES
At the expo, the opportunities to get autographs, take photos, and chat with inspiring celebrities are endless.
Actors who once played paper salesmen in The Office, Brian Baumgartner and Oscar Nuñez, will be making an appearance along with many others.
Fans of The Walking Dead will get the chance to meet heartthrob Chandler Riggs, who played one-eyed wonder Carl Grimes.
Those who once had an unhealthy crush on George from George of the
Jungle can finally meet actor Brendan Fraser in the flesh.
Other celebrities visiting the convention include: LeVar Burton (Star Trek: The Next Generation), Bruce Campbell (Ash vs Evil Dead), Giancarlo Esposito (The Mandalorian, Breaking Bad), Corey Feldman (The
Lost Boys, The Goonies, Stand by Me),
Christina Ricci (The Addams Family), and Tom Welling (Smallville).
There will also be voice actors from shows like Dragon Ball Z, comic creators like Todd McFarlane, cosplayer guests, Internet celebrities, and more.
VISIT ARTIST ALLEY
Aspiring comic artists, writers, and graphic designers can immerse themselves in creative aspects of pop culture. At the alley, guests can admire original art, limited-edition prints, sketches, and comics, all created by successful artists working in the industry.
Guests can also attend workshops on comic animation and drawing.
SHOP ’TIL YOU DROP AT THE EXHIBITOR AREA
If cosplay, art workshops, and celebrities aren’t enough to tickle your fan-cy, there will also be retailers selling every type of pop-culture memorabilia imaginable.
Guests can purchase comic books, T-shirts, commissioned art, videos, toys, collectable figurines, and more. Perhaps you’ll finally find those
Rick and Morty socks you’ve been dreaming about.
STOP BY THE NEW FAMILY ZONE
Children love superheroes and princesses, which is why FAN EXPO offers family passes so that you can enjoy all of the attractions with your kiddies.
At the Family Zone, you’ll find kidfriendly activities like the Sorting Hat Ceremony and Quidditch for Harry
Potter fans, dance parties, colouring, crafts, and science experiments.
MINGLE AT THE MEETUPS
The convention is an excellent place to meet people who love the same things as you do. Themed meetups will be hosted at FAN EXPO to connect fans and cosplayers who share a passion for movies like Star Wars and Frozen or shows like Game of Thrones.
“Being a fan is what helps you connect to other people—we’re all fans of something, and that fandom can unite us and help us make connections,” says managing director of Fan Expo HQ in Western Canada Kandrix Foong. “FAN EXPO Vancouver is the mothership for that: we exist to provide a gathering place for celebrating fandom.”
FAN EXPO Vancouver takes place from February 15 to 17. For tickets and more info, visit www.fanexpovancouver.com/.