Organizers are excited for this year's Central Alberta Fanfest, set to run July 26 at the Ponoka Jubilee Library.
The event, which runs from 11:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., strives to provide an engaging and accessible fandom convention experience for residents of Ponoka, and surrounding communities who may not be able to attend the bigger cons in Calgary or Edmonton.
The first Fanfest was held in the summer of 2019, and it continues to attract fans from across the region, said Cynthia Bottomley, event coordinator.
She said cosplay (the dressing up and performance of characters from books, movies, and other media) can be described as an art form. It’s more than just dressing up - those taking part can really have fun getting into ‘character’ as well.
Initially, the roots of the local event started from the anime/manga club at the library in 2018. They have since re-named that group the Fandomedia Club.
Meanwhile, described as an anime, comic book, sci-fi, and fantasy expo, Central Alberta Fanfest, which is free, also aims to provide a high-quality (and safe) expo with a small-town vibe,
"There is a whole bunch of planned activities ranging from cosplay contests and gaming to interactive panels that will include things like trivia and relays - things like that," said Bottomley.
"The cosplay categories have also been expanded by three this year - so there are now 12 categories, and we are really excited about that," she said..
"We are introducing a 'prop' cosplay category (the 'shield and armour category'), so that is for anyone who would like to submit a prop they have made - like a sword or a shield. This way, they don't have to submit an entire costume," she said. "So this is a unique aspect that has come in this year."
There will also be the Light Sabre Academy with Jedi Master Jaarik Kattanno, and the vendors' market onsite as well.
"We still have some stalls available if people want to take part," said Bottomley.
"We are also still providing the cosplay cafe, and we are looking for food donations - if anyone would like to donate any baked goods or things like that.
"Another thing we are really excited about is we have the Smash Bros group from Lacombe, and the Maskwacis Smash Bros Community coming in a well. They will be doing an all-day Smash Bros tournament," said Bottomley.
"We are really excited to have this - Lacombe has a larger tournament coming up in August, so this is also a way for them to promote that.
"U.S.S. Cerberus from Edmonton will be coming down, too. They are a Star Trek cosplay group. We also have a group coming called Midnight at 25:00, which is a pop idol group again based in Edmonton. They will be doing a performance which we are also really excited about.
"We will be having a lot of other nifty panels that will be going on - they are all distinctive. I highly recommend people check it out, and our schedules for the day will be up in July on our website which can be accessed on the library's website.
"There is also an events page on Facebook and on our Instagram channel for Central Alberta Fanfest."
Bottomley said she is thrilled to see the event continue to expand year by year.
"I am really excited - we are going to see how big we can make this! it will be a lot of fun.
"There is going to be a panel introducing cosplay, and beyond that, the people who participate in these events are very friendly and engaging. So it's open for everyone. There are going to be things that everyone can enjoy."
She added that in the meantime, the call is out for volunteer help for take-down at the end of the event. For more information on how to help out, or about the event in general, contact Cynthia Bottomley by email at fanfestponoka@gmail.com.
