BY BILL PHILLIPS
Northern Fancon is back for its fifth year.
“It’s now not so much an event as a legacy,” said Norm Coyne, of UNLTD Media and Events, which, along with the Citizen, has presented the popular pop culture convention since its inception.
Coyne made several announcements regarding next year’s event, including a new logo, a fifth year commemorative book, and the first of many fan favourites who will be attending.
The first celebrity is one of the most requested, said Coyne – Alan Tudyk.
“Being that our dates this year are May 3-5, May 4 will feature prominently in our advertising so we had to get someone who is attached to Star Wars,” said Coyne.
Tudyk, of course, is K-2SO in Star Wars: Rogue One. He is starred in Firefly, ConMan and more.
Also attending will be Evil Ted.
“Many of you may not know who Evil Ted is, he is a master builder, costume maker, he has his own YouTube channel,” said Coyne. “He comes from film and television and worked on the the Walking Dead, and the Fifth Element.”
Evil Ted will be doing a special workshop at Northern Fancon where he will take local materials and built something out of it.
Ivy DoomKitty was one of the cosplay guests this year and will be back again in 2019.
“We had so much praise for her and what she represents that we had to have her back,” said Coyne.
Ming Chen will also be attending and doing a podcast workshop. Coyne said Chen also does a very well-received celebrity karaoke and will be hosting it on the Friday night.
“It was a knockout in Houston and I know it will be a knockout here,” said Coyne. “It’s going to be something that’s really, really big for Fancon.”
One of the items that will be back again this year, is that children under 12 years old will be able to get in free, compliments of Kristine Newell, who will actually purchase the tickets and provide vouchers.
Fancon also received a boost from the city as Mayor Lyn Hall has proclaimed May 3-5 as Northern Fancon Days in the City of Prince George. Coyne said one of the best things about Fancon is showing off Prince George to people who haven’t been here before.
“Throughout the years, we’ve really seen countless visitors to the region as a result of the event and I’m always super-proud to be an ambassador of our city when we see attendees artists and guests who experience Prince George for the first time,” he said.
