By Alayna Een
I often wonder whether non-nerds track on FanX or if they are caught off guard that weekend as hundreds of costume-clad characters crowd onto the FrontRunner and take over TRAX on their way to the Salt Palace in Salt Lake City, Utah. Salt Lake City’s FanX is the foremost fan experience in the state, and for good reason. FanX has a long history of hosting celebrities from the hottest new shows, old favorites, anime, Nickelodeon, and everything in between. Die-hard fans can arrange to meet their celebrity heroes through signings and photo ops, and everyone can enjoy panel discussions and Q&A with media legends, scheduled regularly across the three days.
I will never get enough of the creativity and dedication exhibited everywhere through peoples’ costumes (including all the Loki people). But aside from people watching, panels are my favorite part of FanX. Seeing some of my favorite actors and some of the most influential stars share stories and give unscripted wisdom is always inspiring. I watched William Shatner get emotional about his real-life space adventure. I found out that Cary Elwes is just as much a gentleman in real life as he is in The Princess Bride. And I heard the ground-breaking bad guy of Breaking Bad give an impromptu motivational speech. All of these experiences were nothing short of incredible. Many stars trek to the Valley to make their FanX appearance to crowds of fans, but local legend Brandon Sanderson is often the hottest ticket, with autograph opportunities snatched up within minutes and the queue for his panel wrapping around the second floor (a move to the Grand Ballroom is long overdue). His succinct and spoiler-free Q&A is often followed by a reading of a work-in-progress novel, a special treat for FanX attendees. One of the most rewarding things about celebrity interactions is that while we love them for the roles they play and the worlds they create, we can come to appreciate them more when we find out what kind of people they really are.
FanX is a safe and celebratory space unlike any other. Cosplays abound, but they’re more about community than competition—if you see someone else dressed as the same character as you, you excitedly take a picture rather than jealously compare. Artists abound, and it’s easy to find a beautiful rendering or exhibit of your favorite fandom or dip your toe into another world. I loved joining other eager fans in attending some of the FanX staples, from the cosplay and fashion contests to the fan karaoke and the Dr. Horrible’s Sing-Along Blog sing-along closing out the convention.
I’ve been a frequent attendee, and I’m already looking forward to next year!
FanX Salt Lake: September 22 to 24, 2022
FanX Salt Lake
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