Superhero Lunch Attire
Driving to the University of Utah/Northern Illinois Football game on Saturday, my son was impressed that so many people bravely chose the fashion statement of wearing superhero costumes to lunch. Then he remembered FanX 2019 was in town.
The dust has settled on another successful FanX Salt Lake pop culture event, with around 100,000 attendees. Lots of die-hard fans are drawn to celebrities and a chance to meet an idol. Keifer Sutherland, Christina Ricci, Dolph Lundgren, Jason Isaacs, Kel Mitchell, and so many more were in town.
Along with the celebrities, the elaborate costumes were there. The super fans were there. So many Spider-Men were there along with so many people just to meet the real Spider-Man, Tom Holland.
Another Aspect of FanX 2019
But away from the celebrities and the $200 photo ops is another aspect to FanX.
On the vendor floor, fans could find artists, writers, makers, and insurance salesmen. Many fans come to meet their dream celebrity, but they miss out if they don’t visit “the floor.”
Artists specialize in fan fantasies giving everyone a chance to go home with a beloved keepsake. Local artists mingle with those from across the country. In attendance this year was Georges Jeanty, renowned for his Buffy the Vampire Slayer comic covers. Another artist from San Diego, K. Marie Criddle, offered hand illustrated notebooks for writers and artists to store their ideas. Local artist Ben Byrd returned with new drawings of whimsical subjects from Disney to Marvel to Harry Potter.
The New Books at FanX 2019
And the writers. There was an abundance of writers to talk to this year. Each with new books to sell and new stories to promote. It seemed there was a different writer on every aisle.
And with money in your pocket, there was plenty of merchandise to buy – from toys, Pop Figures, Legos, homemade hats, figures, chocolates, jewelry, and lightsabers.
Hear Them Talk
For those who don’t want to pay for an autograph or photo, most celebrities present a panel where fans can go and hear stories and ask questions. The most attended panel this year was on Saturday with Tom Holland. The line to get a seat wound around the block. One panel, from Hayden Christensen and Ian McDiarmid from Star Wars, was canceled by a call from Disney at the last minute because they were afraid of leaked secrets for upcoming movies.
FanX is not only Salt Lake’s biggest party it is a chance for fans to find an experience, make a memory, be surprised, and find just the perfect piece of art for that blank spot on their wall.
READ MORE ABOUT FANX HERE