SAFFORD — The Arizona Fan Fest was a huge success.
Double R Communications, the organizer of Gira Valley’s only pop culture comic convention, said everything went well at the 2023 Arizona Fun Fest Pop Culture Comic Convention.
“We had 37 percent more vendors and 70 percent more attendees than originally planned and each said they had a great time,” said David Bell of Double R Communications.
Passers-by bought original comic books and sketches from artists. Trading cards and comic books from sellers. Unique gifts, dolls and 3D printed products. more.
Gamers had the opportunity to participate in Sealed Deck Pokemon card game tournaments, Texas Hold’em and Zombie tournaments, and beta test a new board game called “Water for Diamonds” developed by Gila Valley’s in-house Dr. Sarah. rice field. sails.
The Society for Creative Anachronism presented a number of exhibits over two days, including armor and rapier battles, costume-making demonstrations, and Middle Eastern drums and dances.
Panels were conducted by Tinker Cosplay, who introduced the construction of cosplay costumes, and Carpe and Zen Productions on how filmmaking works.
The highlight of the two-day event was a costume contest for children, teens, adults and groups, with a trophy and $25 in cash for the first place winner.
A premier cosplay contest followed, in which participants were required to create at least 75% of their own costumes. Judged by Paul David, the first place trophy and $1,000 in cash went to Tucson’s Octavio Franco. Berserk”
“It took about three months to really finish,” says Franco, who works on one costume each year.
2nd place $500 went to Kira Eichenberger, who created Neapolitan’s costume for the web series RWBY, and 3rd place $250 went to Victoria Thatcher, who created Eric’s costume for ‘The Phantom of the Opera’. Given. ”
The fan-chosen winner of the unique stained glass trophy created by Monica Ragland was Leishe Bruckner, who not only created the Captain Hook costume, but also created the four-foot Jolly Roger ship.
Following Saturday’s convention, attendees will enjoy an after-party comedy show hosted by Kid Ever and headlined by comedian Adam Basee and cosplay hosted by 2018 Gila Idol winner Pete McCormick. We enjoyed karaoke.
The 2023 Arizona Fan Fest was sponsored by the Southern Arizona Sports, Tourism and Film Authority. Safford Pepsi Bottling Co.; distributed in Budweiser and Third Counties. Valley Telecom Group; Primavera Online School; Best Western Plus Safford; Graham County Chamber of Commerce. Graham County; and Double R Communications.
