lol this thread is cute...
I will give you my take on Kumoricon (btw I am from the Eugene area too
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Kumoricon is a great starter convention for anybody who hasn't ever been to one before and who is at the least mildly interested in anime and anime fandom. Kumoricon is generally filled with anime fans of all ages ranging from younger children (usually those of middle aged fans), to rather seasoned people in their later years. I personally have seen anywhere from children in their infancy to adults in their 60's+ attending in the past two years showing that there is a great interest in anime for all ages, though we tend to aim more of our events for those around 13 and older, we are a kid friendly con for the most part with some anime viewings aimed toward younger viewers and quite a few events that are very age friendly. Speaking of events though we have a wide variety of things going on most hours of the day and night usually starting at about 8 or 9 in the morning (depending on the day) and going 'till around midnight (minors) or a tad bit later for adults (also depending on the night). Just a few of the many events that happen through the weekend that I can name for you now are the Masquerade Ball, the Slants Concert, Cosplay Competition and Skits, Anime Music Video Competitions, Gaming Tournaments, Anime Viewing Rooms. Thats just a few of the many things to keep you busy all day. If you need alittle quieter time there is a place to sit in the Manga Library and just read manga or you can go to the Creation Station and draw or write if that is more your thing.
I love anime conventions. I have been to two different anime conventions since fall of '06 and I have to say by far Kumoricon is my favorite because by the end of the weekend some of the people that you end up meeting feel like family, friends that you've known a life time. There is so much to do and with the family like vibe to it you don't feel like you are being squashed by big companies trying to sell you everything nor do you feel like you were jipped and you're out of place. There is always something to do or someone to talk to and though some people may seem sorta strange (they usually are) they end up being a great deal of the time really really cool people that you will want to make friends with and even hang out with all weekend.
I started attending Kumoricon in 2006 when Kumoricon was held at the Red Lion and that was admittedly not a great year for Registration, waits in line and the space we had was spread out but still small and crowded. That year though we had so many people the hotel sold out of rooms and I was forced to stay at the Oxford across the street. That particular hotel didn't treat us so well and actually had double booked us with a wedding that same weekend so the vibe was a little hectic, but the wonderful staff kept everything going and over all it was a great experience for me. I met a lot of really cool people that weekend who I am still friends with even now who share a huge number of the same interests as I do, which believe me I probably wouldn't have met these friends any other way because even an anime fan has a hard time finding other anime fans. We are good at hiding ourselves most of the time. I think I should mention too, I was supposed to go in a group that year but ended up flying solo because of a dispute within the group I was supposed to go with and believe me it was way more fun that way. I really got to spread my wings and hang out with a really interesting lot of people who were really kind. So it isn't bad at all to go by yourself up to the convention.
Kumoricon 2007 was even more amazing than 2006 for me though. I signed up as a volunteer last year and took a great deal of my own personal time and invested it into something that I loved and got a great return on it. I made friends with alot of great staff members as well as alot of regular congoers. I got to see how things worked behind the scenes as well as on the floor in the general public. The hotel we were at last year (the Vancouver Hilton) was so incredibly kind and attentive to all of our needs as both convention staff and as regular congoers. The location was beautiful with a park outside, the weather completely agreed with us and the con goers were great and the events going on all the time were so much fun to attend. The dealer room location wasn't so good but the items within were to die for. Fangirls were everywhere and were a great deal of fun to poke at. Most of all the cosplays that people came up with were gorgeous and some for being as cheaply made as possible (for some of us don't have a great deal of money) they looked great!!!
Last year we broke 3000 in attendance and this year we are hoping for a little bit more than that over the three days. That includes walk in registration for one days and for full weekend passes as well as the pre-registered lot that devotes their time for the love of anime. So certain events can become slightly crowded depending on the interest level of the event but with that many people into the same things as you are you're bound to have fun even while waiting in a line for opening ceremonies.
I've not actually been to this hotel before, but the convention was held there the year before I began going and people seemed to like it enough to go back to it so it must have been a pretty good experience for most. If you are going to stay with the hotel you might want to try to room up with someone who already has a room there. Its usually 4 people to a room and there is almost always someone that could use just one more person in their room for whatever reason. In August you will see alot of people offering space in their room for people who need it but you can also choose to stay with friends or family in the area too. I just find it easier to wake up, put cosplay on then go downstairs and do whatever it is I need or want to do with the convention. And you don't have to cosplay its totally optional but really a great deal of fun to do!
I've found that people I've met in the past two years have opened my eyes to alot more anime than I perhaps would have ever watched all by my lonesome. By the way, its not creepy to be an anime fan at an older age. I love seeing older generations that are totally into the same things we are. I know someone who cosplays a great Scar from Full Metal Alchemist and he isn't in his 20's or his teens. You should really check it out even if you only go for a single day, it's worth taking a trip and who knows you may get to meet people you really connect with.
Give it a chance and check it out!
BSB28
<3<3<3
