I’m a big fan of geeking out. My username even prominently features the word “dork” in it!
That’s why I’m always excited about heading to a Fan Expo, where you’re surrounded by tens of thousands of other people just as passionate about pop culture as you!
In particular, I love geeking out right in my home town at the Edmonton Comic & Entertainment Expo (or as we affectionately shorten to, the Edmonton Expo), which takes place every September.
The 2019 Edmonton Expo returns Friday Sept. 20 through to Sunday Sept. 22.
I know everyone tends to ‘Expo’ in different ways. You might be into comic books more than anime, or older science fiction movies more than recent geeky TV. Some people go every day of the three-day pop culture convention. Some just go for a few hours to meet one specific star. Some people are all about the cosplay. Some people only want to check out celebrity panels and meet and greets. Some people stock up on artwork, the list goes on and on!
Here are 5 Reasons I think you should go to the 2019 Edmonton Expo!
(a.k.a. 5 Reasons I’m excited to go this year and yes 3 reasons are celebrity guests lol)
Keep on scrollin’ in this post and you’ll also get a chance to enter my Expo giveaway for:
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2 Weekend Passes to the Edmonton Expo
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1 Epic Photo Op with a Celebrity of your Choice
(Thank you to the Edmonton Expo for partnering with me to highlight the upcoming event!)
1. The Edmonton Expo marks the Canadian convention debut for the Ninth Doctor: Christopher Eccleston!
THIS IS NOT A DRILL! Some people may recall how excited I was when both the Tenth and Eleventh Doctors came to the Edmonton Expo in 2018, well for Doctor Who fans, having Chris Eccleston, who played the Ninth Doctor (the actor who relaunched the series in 2005 and rarely like ever makes Doctor Who-related appearances!!) coming to the Expo is HUGE. His connection and relationship to Rose was one of the reasons why I loved the Tenth Doctor’s relationship with Rose! What a ‘fantastic!’ foundation he set for the series’ return and frankly (even though I absolutely adored David Tennant) I (along with many other Whovians) felt like his run on the show was far too short. That the Edmonton Expo is his first-ever Canadian convention appearance, is SO COOL and seriously a reason to attend. Fans can meet Eccleston at Photo Ops and autograph signing sessions and hear from him live on stage at a Spotlight Panel on Saturday.
2. See some of your favourite characters in person!
Okay so maybe it’s not necessarily the actual person who played the character but I adore going to Expos to see cosplayers! There are so many cool costumes from recent, old and even obscure movies, TV shows, comic books and more, fans dressing up—and fans taking photos with fans dressed up—is such a big and fun part of the Expo (don’t be shy! Ask if you can take a photo and they’ll almost certainly say yes). There’s also a Costume Contest on Saturday Night, which features the best cosplay on stage!
3. It’ll be MAGICAL, especially with guest Matthew Lewis (NEVILLE LONGBOTTOM!)
You may know him fondly from the glow-up memes (lol but seriously, what a glow-up), and well, really as the heroic Neville Longbottom in the Harry Potter movie series, Matthew Lewis, will be a guest at the Expo both Saturday and Sunday! This will be his western Canadian convention debut, and fans can get Photo Ops and autograph signing sessions and hear from him live on stage at a Spotlight Panel too. Did anyone else hear the twinkly Harry Potter theme music as you read this? Just me?
4. You get to explore Artist Alley!
It’s a “must-experience” where you’ll find the best pop culture pencillers, inkers, and writers. Fans can go to buy comics, ask their favourite authors to sign, or get work commissioned at great prices! Image having a custom drawing of you and your friends or family as superheroes, Archie Comics cartoons or whatever your favourite character is! or really whatever custom commission you’d like! Archie Comics, or as you favourite characters. Artists Alley is full of original art and sketches and this is some Expo-goers’ favourite part of the entire weekend!
5. Riverdale is coming to Edmonton!
Specifically, the very lovable “Kevin Keller” played by the very talented (and probably also lovable lol) Casey Cott from The CW’s Riverdale, is coming to the Edmonton Expo! Now, I’m one of those Riverdale fans who is often like, what the heck is happening? Why is this so dark and supernatural? Why don’t the guys have their shirts on for that scene—again? Why are they singing—again? LOL. AND YET, there I am, tuning in to watch each episode, each week, anyway. Sometimes you just can’t explain why you love the show you love, and that’s okay, lol. Casey Cott is another celebrity you’ll be able to get Photo Ops and autographs with, and hear him live on stage at a Spotlight Panel too. He’s at the Expo both Saturday and Sunday.
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So there you have just 5 (of honestly, many, many!) reasons you should go to the 2019 Edmonton Expo this year. Now I’m excited to give you a chance to go for free!
** GIVEAWAY!! **
There are a few different ways to enter for a chance to win your way into the Edmonton Expo (2 Weekend Passes plus 1 Epic Photo Op with a Celebrity of your Choice!) Do all of these or just one or a few.
I’ll randomly select a winner from all entries received by Sept. 4, 2019!
- BLOG ENTRY: Leave a comment on this blog post telling me one reason you’re excited to go to this year’s Edmonton Expo!
- Note: blog comments are moderated so don’t worry if your comment doesn’t appear right away!
- TWITTER ENTRY: Retweet my tweet about the Edmonton Expo and reply to my tweet telling me one reason you’re excited to go to this year’s Edmonton Expo!
- FACEBOOK ENTRY: Reply to my Facebook post about the Edmonton Expo, tagging a friend who might be interested in going with you.
- INSTAGRAM ENTRY: Follow the @edmontonexpoofficial on Instagram and reply to my Instagram post tagging a friend who might be interested in going with you.
Thanks again to the Edmonton Expo for partnering with me to highlight Edmonton’s biggest pop-culture celebration and providing this awesome giveaway!
The Edmonton Expo 2019 takes place at the Edmonton EXPO Centre Sept 20-22, 2019:
- Friday, Sept. 20 from 4 p.m. to 9 p.m.
- Saturday, Sept. 21 from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.
- Sunday, Sept. 22 from 10 a.m to 5 p.m.
Single Day adult passes start at $20, youth passes start at $15, child passes start at $10, family passes start at $45, 3-day Delux Passes start at $69, and MORE~ All tickets give you full access to the Expo including workshops and panels, celebrity Q&As, hundreds of vendors and artists, gaming areas, cosplay contests, and more. (Check out the website for all ticket options, inluding VIP packages!)
Linda
“Like” my Facebook Page: Lindork – Linda Hoang
Disclaimer: I partnered with the Edmonton Expo to help promote the 2019 convention. This does not impact opinions stated in this post! I’m real proud of being geeky, dorky, nerdy, and just generally passionate about pop culture!!
27 Comments
I am excited to try cosplay for the first time!
I’m excited to meet Patrick Warburton! The one and only!
I’m excited to take my son who loves anime!
I need to meet 9!! ???? I have a doctor who Tattoo I need him to sign!
I am excited to see Neville Longbottom!
I’m super excited to see Matthew Lewis!
Im excited to go because my kids are into cosplay right now and have AWESOME costumes!
I would love to see the people behind all the amazing work.
To meet Felicia Day!! Would be so cool.
To see Felicia Day!
I love seeing all the awesome cosplay and the talks with various celebrities!
Fantastic! Soooo excited to see my 3rd doctor in 2 years, the 9th Doctor that is!
I’m excited to immerse myself in geekdom!
Having never been to a con before, I would be excited for every aspect of the event! The panels, the cosplay, and the nerdy hustle and bustle. I bet it would be an experience like no other!
I love the atmosphere of geeky and nerdy inclusion. Hard to explain, but it just feels…right? It’s a great feeling and it only happens when I’m at an expo.
I’m a Harry Potter fan so this years con would be amazing to me!
Pick me, pick me, pick me! Why? I need to geek shop! ????
I’m excited to listen to the panels! They are my favourite part!
I’m excited cause I’ve never been to comic con before!
Randomly came upon this contest on Twitter & clicked on your blog, great read! I have never been to the Expo but would love the chance to check it out! & hello a possible pic with NEVILLE LONGBOTTOM? Awooga! Here’s hoping!
I’d be so excited to get a picture with 9!!!
Marina Sirtis is one of my favourite actresses & the chance to even meet her is a dream. Star Trek truly saved my life, like I would not be here if not for it & it is my dream to tell Marina how much she has indirectly helped save my life.
I’m so excited to see Casey Cott and Robin Lord Taylor!!
Hi Linda,
It was hard for me to write this as I don’t do this often. I love being a nerd and geeking out. I’ve never really found a place where I can be me (meaning geeking out). I love anime & comic books. The first time I went to the Edmonton Expo was 2017. I had the best time of my life! I was high on life! So many things to see, buy, and taking pics! I was in heaven. I want to experience the Edmonton Expo to its fullest potential. I’ve always wanted to reach this goal but never told anyone and it would be great if I could attain it (like a bucket list). I’ve always wanted to go but couldn’t afford it. In 2017, it was free for me as I volunteered at my friends booth. But this year has been hard for me as I’m a new nurse; I lost a client, and my grandma to cancer. I really want to meet Jason David Frank. He’s the only one that I’ve wanted to meet. I’ve never met a celebrity before. But now I found out I might not be able to meet him as it costs (I didn’t know that), then I felt sad. I’m married, and financially it’s hard right now. I’m new to the Edm Expo and would really like to go this year. It would make my year and my birthday on Sept 2nd. This would be THE perfect gift/prize I’ve ever won, ever in my entire life.
I am excited to see Cary Elwes as my hubby has yet to see The Princess Bride – which we will be watching prior to…. and he is employing to the Ukraine at the start of Oct for 7 months, so this would be something fun to do prior to him going away :(
I love going to panels and hearing behind the scene stories.
I’m most excited to see a panel with Christopher Eccleston. Of course, the merch hall is also a draw.