2020 started with plenty of promise when it came to gaming and geek events in South Africa. It didn’t take long for all that to be wiped out by an invisible enemy.
COVID-19 has seen every major event around the world either postponed, cancelled or head to the digital realm. In South Africa, rAge and Comic Con Africa will both head that route later this year. However, the Cape Town original – FanCon – will be doing so first this coming weekend.
There isn’t a lot of information – or even a schedule – detailing what to expect from this digital celebration of FanCon, but there are a few of the traditional vendors planning to off limited-time specials and deals. Cosplay, guests and various panels and AMAs will be hosted. We would suggest heading to the Facebook event page to keep fully in the loop on things as they happen on 4 and 5 July 2020. Alternatively, there is a page dedicated to the weekend on FanCon’s website.
**UPDATE** The schedule for the weekend has been announced. See blow for the times and tune in via the FanCon social media.
VENDORS
Artists and vendors will be showcased over the weekend. Some will be offering specials on their geek merchandise, art, comics, and more.
Some of the vendors who have announced they are participating include:
[List will be updated as more vendors are spotted. – Undead Ed]
**UPDATE** The full list of participating vendors can be found here.
Krafts By Witch Knight has announced that portions of sales will be donated to Dead Animals Walking. The animal welfare organisation provides “rescue, rehabilitation, relief, primary health care, sterilization and educational efforts, on the ground in impoverished communities and farms in Cape Town.”
ACTIVITIES
A number of past FanCon guests will be participating over the weekend to discuss what they have been busy with since their previous FanCon attendance. Cosplay looks to be making an appearance via a ‘flip challenge‘, showcase and sales of prints.
A daily geek quiz will be hosted, and will feature prizes including past FanCon Merch and items signed by past FanCon guests. According to a post by FanCon:
“You need to tune into our live on our Facebook page (Saturday) and Instagram (Sunday) to hear the questions, and after you have typed out the answers, email it directly to us at quiz@fancon.co.za. The questions will ONLY be read live once. Miss them and miss out!
For each quiz, the first three people with all correct answers will win a prize. In other words: speed and accuracy, you must have. Winners will be announced during the last live of the day. The exact times of the quizzes will be announced on Friday with the rest of the weekend schedule. Share widely, don’t panic, and don’t be late!”
There will be online tabletop gaming hosted at 11h00 and 14h30 daily by DumDumDie. There is a free-to-enter ‘new player game’ while all other games are R 50 per player. The money raised will be donated to Connect a Heart Foundation and their winter soup drive. Details of the tabletop gaming can be found here, with booking to compete .
DETAILS
Details pf the FanCon Celebration Weekend 2020 are as follows:
- Dates: 4 and 5 July 2020
- Times: 10h00 to 18h00
- Where: On your Couch… Stream details to be announced
- Cost: Free
