by Jen
I haven't been an Arizona resident for a full calendar year yet, but I'm already loving the quantity and quality of geek entertainment that can be found around town! Phoenix Comicon takes place at the Phoenix Convention Center each June, but one geeky con event just isn't enough - so they have Fan Fest in December at the University of Phoenix stadium in Glendale.
So what's a geeky mom to do with her homeschooled progeny on the Friday of Fan Fest? Take advantage of the less-crowded Friday morning environment to get our con on, that's what! Here are my recommendations for a fabulous first day of Fan Fest:
So what's a geeky mom to do with her homeschooled progeny on the Friday of Fan Fest? Take advantage of the less-crowded Friday morning environment to get our con on, that's what! Here are my recommendations for a fabulous first day of Fan Fest:
First, check in and get your badge(s) and program guide. Once again I'm thrilled with the low cost - a few months back, I bought a full weekend pass for just $30 and got $5 "Sidekick" badges for the kids! Also, Phoenix Comicon's media relations department is fantastic, so they gave me a Media badge as well - and we may even have some celebrity interview opportunities later in the weekend, so stay tuned for that!
Second, check out the cosplay - there will be plenty of it, even this early in the weekend! I didn't get many cosplay pictures today, so you get to check out my personal casual cosplay - I love these Riddler leggings from Black Milk, and couldn't resist this background (even though my 9 year old, who took the photo, cut off the Gotham City Police Department logo at the top).
Third, stroll through the vendor area. I swore I wasn't going to spend any money this weekend, but there were so many beautiful geeky things! I couldn't resist this Baymax/Adipose mashup by the talented Kathryn Hunkele of Plutonian Narwhal Designs, and I'll be going back to the Chick Lit Designs booth to drool over the phone cases and purses that resemble all my favorite books!
Last but not least, don't miss the geeky car collection out front (next to the food trucks, which are definitely the best choice for lunch while you're at Fan Fest). I made my kids pose with the Impala, even though they've never seen Supernatural - and I may have actually fangirl squee'd aloud when I looked inside the car and saw the autographs on the glove box! There were several other cars, including a Jurassic Park Jeep with Barney the dinosaur riding shotgun and a truly impressive DeLorean.
If you find yourself in Phoenix this weekend with nothing to do, go check out Fan Fest! And stay tuned for more coverage of celebrity panels and other events over the next few days!
If you find yourself in Phoenix this weekend with nothing to do, go check out Fan Fest! And stay tuned for more coverage of celebrity panels and other events over the next few days!