It’s been a week since Fandom Fest, and I’ve finally had time to process everything that happened and post a review.
Prior to the convention, patrons from last year were very vocal about their concerns; however, the convention was considerably calmer and more organized than last year. It is apparent that convention owners, Ken and Myra Daniels, have big plans for the convention but are taking a lot of precautions to avoid unsatisfied customers.
Thursday night, the very first Fandom Fest parade was held. From the Belvedere down 4th Street and back, cosplayers and celebrities alike walked or rode around the streets of downtown Louisville. The parade went very smooth, and the after party provided a special treat for the parade participators as Michelangelo himself, Nick Palma, decided to join in on the fun.
There was a good crowd on Friday, and the vendor hall was hopping. Celebrities were moved back and forth from autographs and photo ops with ease, and all parties and panels throughout the night went well.
Saturday was the busiest day of the convention. Most of my day was spent in the Cascade ballroom of the Kentucky International Convention Center. At the Firefly Q&A, Morena Baccarin and Sean Maher spoke fondly about their beloved show. It has been over ten years since Firefly was canceled after just one season, but the fans and the stars still ponder what could have been. The Being Human cast Q&A was absolutely hilarious. Sam Witwer, Sam Huntington, and Meaghan Rath became a crowd favorite over the weekend with their comedic antics and ridiculous photo ops. In Karl Urban’s Q&A, a lot of questions were asked about his latest venture, the show Almost Human, and its recent cancelation. Anthony Mackie’s Q&A was my favorite of the day as he proved to be a very intelligent man, and a great role model for children as The Falcon in Captain America: The Winter Soldier. Of course, the Star Trek Q&A was very popular and a real treat for The Next Generation fans as most of the cast was in attendance.
Sunday was another mellow day where fans had more time to speak with their favorite stars at the autograph tables and during their photo ops. I got a chance to go to The Hobbit panel, which was great fun for a “ringer” such as myself. I also dropped by Sylvester McCoy’s Q&A. McCoy was very funny and personable, even fielding fan questions himself.
In sum, Fandom Fest had a great run this year, and I definitely think it will get bigger and better with time.