Gaming Conventions
First up is the Southeast Game Exchange in Greenville, South Carolina. Billed as the “foremost video game convention in the southeast,” the Southeast Game Exchange features panels on gaming basics to advanced tactics like speed runs, cosplay, and both free and paid tournaments. The event runs Saturday, August 18 through Sunday, August 19.
The next couple of conventions feature a mix of gaming, anime, and themed cosplay. Shine Con 2018 is a brand new convention in Las Vegas, Nevada. The event runs from Friday, August 17 through Sunday, August 19. Shine Con features a mix of gaming free play and tournaments, panels, cosplay, as well as fun and games like lip syncing and bingo.
Anime California 2018 is a new convention as well, and not affiliated with the old, now defunct, Anime California. This year’s event will be held in Burbank, California, and will run from Friday, August 17 through Sunday, August 19. The event will feature both video gaming and tabletop gaming, karaoke, panels, workshops, and more.
Public Library Conventions
I have a soft spot in my heart for public libraries, and a number of them in the northeastern United States are hosting conventions this weekend.
RidgeCon 2018 will be held Friday, August 17 and Saturday, August 18. The event is hosted by the Ridgefield Library in Ridgefield, Connecticut. The event will feature a Superhero Obstacle (inflatables) Course, Lightsaber (kempo) Training, Quidditch Practice, video and tabletop gaming, crafts, scavenger hunts, and much more. The Utica Public Library in Utica, New York plays host to Fandemicon 2018 on Saturday, August 18. The event includes trivia, cosplay, face painting, art contests, storytime, and more. Also on Saturday, August 18, is the Dover Comic Con 2018, hosted by the Dover Public Library in Dover, Delaware. Dover Comic Con 2018 includes pop culture themed events featuring Harry Potter, G.I. Joe, the 501st Legion, Sherlock Holmes, Ghostbusters, and more. Finally, the Baldwinsville Public Library in Baldwinsville, New York is hosting the Bville Comic ConVersation 2018 on Sunday, August 19. The event includes cosplay, gaming, authors and artists, and even free laser tag for attendees.
Anime Conventions
There are a number of different anime themed conventions throughout the United States this weekend. Starting in the northeast, Liberty City Anime Con takes place New York City from Friday, August 17 through Sunday, August 19. Heading southeast is KenTokyoCon 2018. The three-day event is held in Lexington, Kentucky beginning Friday, August 17 and running through Sunday, August 19. In the southwest is AnimeFest 2018 in Dallas, Texas. The event runs from Friday, August 17 through Monday, August 20. Finally, on the west coast, is Kin-Yoobi Con 2018. The single-day event will be held on Sunday, August 19. All four of the above feature programming emphasizing manga, anime, gaming, cosplay, art, and culture.
Specific Interest Conventions
For those interested in specific genres, there are a number of conventions taking place to appeal to the sci-fi, horror, magic, steampunk, and those supporting LGBTQ creators and communities.
WorldCon 76 begins Thursday, August 16 and runs through Monday, August 20 in San Jose, California. First held in New York City in 1939, the World Science Fiction Convention is an annual gathering of science fiction and fantasy fans, writers, artists, musicians, and creators. Unlike other conventions, WorldCon does not use a ticketing system. Attendees must be registered members of the World Science Fiction Society. Varying levels of membership confer different rights. For more information, check out the WSFS membership registration FAQ.
Horror fans can check out Monster-Mania Con this weekend in Cherry Hill, New Jersey. The three-day event runs from Friday, August 17 through Sunday, August 19. The convention features screenings of classic and modern horror films, panels, a costume contest, and celebrities from the world of classic and modern horror.
For fans of J.K. Rowling’s Harry Potter book series and the movies based upon the Wizarding World, Rockville, Maryland is the place to be Friday, August 17 through Sunday, August 19 for PotterVerse 2018. The event includes panels tackling the characters and themes of the stories—including morality and activism—games, cosplay, music, and celebrities from the Wizarding World, including Dan Fogler from this November’s Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes of Grindelwald.
Steampunk fans will find the Railway to the Moon Steampunk Festival on Saturday, August 18 in Mount Washington, New Hampshire. This is the third year for the event, hosted by the Mount Washington Cog Railway. The event features steampunk art, fashion, and a ride on a steam train.
For members and allies of the LGBTQ community, Flame Con 2018 takes place in New York City on Saturday, August 18 and Sunday, August 19. The event, now in its fourth year, invites everyone to celebrate in the contributions that LGBTQ artists and creators have made to geekdom and pop culture. The event features programming related to cosplay, gaming, representation, and features a number of creator guests from across geek culture.
General Geek Culture Conventions
We wrap up this week’s Convention Connection with a look at a few regional pop culture conventions.
In the United Kingdom, Showmasters’ Film & Comic Con heads to Sheffield on Saturday, August 18 and Sunday, August 19. The two-day event features a number of celebrity, cosplay, and professional wrestling guests. In the United States, Golden Triangle Comic Con will be held on Saturday, August 18 in Columbus, Mississippi. Programming includes cosplay, gaming, an escape room, and a number of actor and artist guests. Michigan Comic Con takes place in Detroit, Michigan from Friday, August 17 through Sunday, August 19. Featured guests include actors John Rhys-Davies and Cary Elwes, author Timothy Zahn, and artists Bob Camp and Ty Templeton. Finally, Terrificon 2018 returns to Uncasville, Connecticut on Friday, August 17 through Sunday, August 19. Featured guests include actors Henry Winkler and Pom Klementieff and comic creators Jim Starlin, Christopher Priest, and Marvel Comics CEO C.B. Cebulski.
Heading out to a convention this weekend?
We’d love to see your photos (especially your cosplay photos). When you upload your convention photos to social media this weekend, tag @GeekDads on Twitter and GeekDad on Facebook and use #ConConnect. With your permission, we just might share your photos on our social media accounts.
Are you a convention organizer who would like your con featured in an upcoming Convention Connection?
E-mail joey@geekdad.com at least two weeks before the convention’s start date with details you would like shared with our readers. Submission of details does not guarantee that we’ll highlight your convention, but it certainly helps your chances.
Are you a convention organizer who would like your con attended and covered by GeekDad?
E-mail joey@geekdad.com at least two months before the convention’s start date with details. Submission of details does not guarantee that we’ll cover your convention, but it certainly helps your chances. Coverage depends on contributor availability for the convention. If you are willing to assist with travel and lodging for a GeekDad contributor covering your convention, please note that in the e-mail.
Are you a convention organizer who would like to give away entry to your convention (tickets, badges, etc.) on GeekDad?
Contact joey@geekdad.com at least one month before first date with ticket giveaway details. Submission of details does not guarantee that we’ll run a giveaway for entry to your convention, but it certainly helps your chances.
