Convention Fans:
MomoCon - The Largest Free Fan Convention in North America

It seems like everything related to fandom conventions has gotten more expensive over the years, whether it's the price of admission, the food, the travel, the autographs, etc. But there is at least one convention that isn't getting more expensive, and that's MomoCon - the largest free admission fan convention in North America. That's right. Register early, and you pay nothing to get in.

MomoCon is happening March 20 - 21, 2010 at the Georgia Tech Student Center, in Atlanta, Georgia (USA). The hours are 10 am to Midnight on Saturday and 10 am to 10 pm on Sunday.

It is important to note that the convention has become so popular that is has had to institute an attendance cap of 7,000 people. It's not surprising that pre-registration is currently closed, and all free passes have been claimed. Still want to attend? You can still get in with the purchase of a $15 "donor ticket." Or, if you would really like to help support the convention, you can purchase a special $100 "Angel Donor" package, which includes:
  -A badge and program mailed to them prior to the convention
  -Early entry to the Dealers Room on Saturday and Sunday
  -MomoCon 2010 t-shirt
  -Recognition in the Program Book
  -A limited-edition, numbered print of a piece of MomoCon artwork

Guests for MomoCon 2010 include: Gina Biggs, Kittyhawk, Bobby Nash, Bob Pendarvis, Matt Simpson, Sean Taylor, Jennie Breeden, Bill Holbrook, Michael Fahey, Seraphina, and more.

Some of the events that attendees can expect are an anime music video (AMV) contest, card game and board gaming, a cosplay contest, the 2nd Annual Sidewalk Art Competition, panels on costuming (steampunk, cosplay, Gothic Lolita, etc.), performances from musical guests, and more.

As a quick side note, I am always impressed when conventions provide some extra information, especially to parents who may be weary of sending their kid off to some convention. MomoCon has posted a Parents' Guide, which clearly explains anime as a genre, and what can be expected at the convention. It also points out that there is no public address system to do all calls for missing children/attendees, and that children under a certain age will require a signed permission slip. Kudos to the organizers for including this information, and encouraging parental involvement in and awareness of anime conventions.

You can read more about MomoCon, and purchase the special donor tickets at http://momocon.moonfruit.com/.

(Posted in conjunction with The Convention Fans Blog.)