FAN EXPO Canada returns to Toronto with Hobbits, Cena and 135,000 fans
Four-day convention will bring comics, cosplay, gaming, creators and major film and television guests to Toronto Aug. 27–30
John Rhys-Davies, known for playing Gimli in The Lord of the Rings film trilogy, is among the guests scheduled to appear at FAN EXPO Canada in Toronto Aug. 27–30.
Photo: FAN EXPO Canada/Touchwood PR.
TORONTO — FAN EXPO Canada is preparing to bring an estimated 135,000 fans to downtown Toronto for four days of comics, cosplay, gaming, anime, science fiction and other pop culture.
The convention runs Aug. 27–30 at the Metro Toronto Convention Centre. Organizers describe FAN EXPO Canada as the largest comics, science-fiction, horror, anime and gaming event in Canada and the third-largest pop-culture event in North America.
The event has grown substantially from its beginnings as a small comic-book convention. FAN EXPO says the original event attracted about 1,500 fans, while its current exhibitor material lists more than 135,000 attendees and more than 1,000 exhibitors.
This year's celebrity program includes wrestler and actor John Cena, Reacher star Alan Ritchson, Iron Maiden singer Bruce Dickinson and The Lord of the Rings actor John Rhys-Davies. Cena is also scheduled for a live event Sunday, Aug. 30 at 4:15 p.m., with photo and autograph opportunities offered separately.
A major part of the weekend will centre on the 25th anniversary of The Lord of the Rings. Elijah Wood, Sean Astin, Billy Boyd and Dominic Monaghan, who played the four central Hobbits in Peter Jackson's film trilogy, are appearing together as part of an anniversary reunion tour.
The four actors are scheduled for An Evening with the Hobbits on Friday, Aug. 28 at 7 p.m. and Saturday, Aug. 29 at 7:30 p.m. FAN EXPO currently lists the Saturday event as sold out.
They will also appear at a separate Second Breakfast event at the InterContinental Toronto at 8 a.m. Sunday. Tickets start at $229 for individual admission, with reserved tables for groups also available.
Comics remain a substantial part of the convention despite the growth of its film, television and gaming programming. The current creator roster includes Frank Miller, Joe Quesada, Greg Capullo and Tom King, along with Toronto-based artist Mike Del Mundo and creators including Jim Zub, Jason Loo, Michael Cho, Ken Lashley, Kagan McLeod and Richard Comely, known for his work on Captain Canuck.
FAN EXPO also operates Artist Alley, where artists and craftspeople sell original work, commissions, sculptures, jewelry, pins and other items. The broader exhibitor floor includes comic retailers, collectibles dealers, gaming businesses and other vendors.
Comic programming continues after the main convention floor closes. Comics Xplosion is scheduled for 8 p.m. Saturday at the Rec Room, where illustrators will compete against the clock to create artwork in front of an audience.
Cosplay has also developed into a major component of FAN EXPO Canada. The Masters of Cosplay: Maple Leaf Qualifier will bring Canadian competitors to the stage, with the winner representing Toronto at the Masters of Cosplay competition at MEGACON Orlando.
Other cosplay programming includes contests, workshops, meetups and opportunities for fans to display costumes throughout the weekend. FAN EXPO also maintains dedicated cosplay spaces and programming for costumers with different levels of experience.
The convention's Community Zone brings together organizations whose activities continue beyond the four-day event. Participating groups listed by FAN EXPO include the 501st Canadian Garrison, Doctor Who Society of Canada, CanCosplay Cards, Canadian Podcast Awards, Cosplay 4 a Cause Canada, Extra Life Toronto, Femme Gaming, Rebel Legion Canadian Base, Toronto Prop Expo and the Toronto Steampunk Society.
Gaming programming includes tabletop and video games, tournaments and trading-card activities. Anime programming, fan panels, shopping and celebrity question-and-answer sessions are also scheduled throughout the weekend.
FAN EXPO Canada's expansion from a 1,500-person comic gathering to an event drawing more than 100,000 people reflects the growth of organized fan culture in Canada. The Toronto convention now brings professional creators, fan organizations, costumers, collectors, gamers and entertainment guests together under one event.
FAN EXPO Canada opens Thursday, Aug. 27 and runs through Sunday, Aug. 30 at the Metro Toronto Convention Centre. Additional schedule information continues to be posted, and organizers advise that guest appearances can change or be cancelled because of professional commitments.
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