FanimeCon facts for kids
Quick facts for kids FanimeCon |
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FanimeCon 2019
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| Status | Active |
| Genre | Anime, Japanese popular culture |
| Venue | San Jose McEnery Convention Center |
| Location(s) | San Jose, California |
| Country | United States |
| Inaugurated | June 14, 1994 |
| Attendance | 34,000 in 2019 |
| Organized by | Anime Resource Group (ARG) |
FanimeCon is a super fun, four-day event that happens every year in May. It's a big gathering for fans of anime (Japanese animation) and Japanese popular culture. The event takes place at the San Jose McEnery Convention Center in San Jose, California. It's always held during the Memorial Day weekend.
What Happens at FanimeCon?
FanimeCon is packed with exciting activities for everyone! You can enjoy many different events and shows. It's a place where fans can celebrate their love for anime and Japanese culture.
Fun Activities and Contests
The convention offers a lot of cool things to do. You can watch an AMV (Anime Music Video) contest. There's also an artist's alley where you can see and buy amazing artwork. Many people join contests and even play cosplay chess!
Games, Dances, and More
If you love games, there's a huge game room. You can play arcade games, console games, PC games, and even tabletop games. There are also dances and a formal ball to attend. You can sing your heart out at karaoke or visit a maid cafe.
Shows and Shopping
Don't miss the masquerade, where people show off their amazing costumes. You can also watch special screenings of anime. If you like shopping, there's a dealer's room with lots of cool merchandise. You can also find unique items at the swap meet.
Learning and Creating
FanimeCon also has panels where you can learn from experts. There are workshops where you can try new skills. The convention offers programming 24 hours a day, so there's always something happening!
FanimeCon Helps Others
FanimeCon also cares about helping people. In 2004, they held an art auction to support Habitat for Humanity. This charity helps build homes for families in need. In 2011, they supported other groups like the American Red Cross and the Japanese Red Cross Society.
FanimeCon's Journey Through Time
FanimeCon started a long time ago, in 1994. It was first held at California State University, Hayward. Anime clubs helped organize the very first events.
Growing Bigger and Moving Around
For a few years, Foothill College also hosted the convention. Then, in 1999, it moved to the Wyndham Hotel in San Jose. From 2000 to 2003, the Santa Clara Convention Center was its home.
Finding a Permanent Home
In 2004, FanimeCon moved to its current location. This is the San Jose McEnery Convention Center. This move helped the convention grow even more.
FanimeCon's Impact on the City
FanimeCon brings a lot of money to the local economy. In 2004, it brought about $5 million to San Jose. By 2014, this grew to an amazing $10.5 million! This shows how popular and important the convention is.
Challenges and Celebrations
Like any big event, FanimeCon has faced some challenges. Sometimes there were long lines for registration. In 2012, a power outage affected registration. However, the convention always works to make things better.
In 2014, FanimeCon celebrated its 20th anniversary! San Jose even declared May 23, 2014, as "Fanime Day." This was a special way to honor the convention. FanimeCon 2020 had to be cancelled because of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Images for kids
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FanimeCon 2019
