By Lexi McFarlane, Times Chronicle
This weekend marks the latest edition of a major pop culture and arts convention in the South Okanagan.
The annual Penti-Con returns to the Penticton Trade & Convention Centre this weekend, October 18 and 19. The event, which began as a one-day exhibition in 2017, features several different activities geared towards a variety of audiences, including those just starting to get into pop culture.
An Opening Ceremonies kicks off the event at 10:30 on Saturday, launching all the highlighted features such as a lip sync battle, cosplay contest, and talent competition.
Hardcore enthusiasts will have the chance to showcase their skills in organized tournaments for popular games including Dungeons and Dragons, Magic: The Gathering, and Warhammer. Other roleplay games (RPG’s) and a Pokémon Gym for practitioners of the Pokémon franchise add to the impressive amount of activities.
Penti-Con activities span the ages. Contributed photo
For more casual attendees, the Penticton Art Council has joined forces with the event, to feature interactive art events, along with an entire art showcase. The interactivity is a major focus of this collaboration, with attendees getting the chance to partake in Art Jam sessions, or take in a newcomer’s guide on miniature painting. Art Jam will also give attendees the opportunity to see talented artists compete against one another, in a separate time slot.
A workshop for sewing your own handcrafted hip bag is noted as a fun craft opportunity, alongside other craft sessions on making your own felt finger puppets, flying saucers, or the Penti-Con mascot, Mew. With the spooky Halloween season in full swing now, paper skeletons and yarn pumpkins are the focus of other craft sessions.
Vendors will be on-site for the event as well, to provide a general shopping experience.
Part of the comic and entertainment convention experience is trading, and Penti-Con includes that also. The Workshop 1 station will be the spot to visit for trinket trading, and a swap meet.
For Nintendo Switch gamers, a “Frantic Sunday” event in Panel Rooms 2 and 3 invites you to bring along your Switch console and join in on a Mario Kart 8 gaming session.
Panels at this year’s Penti-Con feature appearances from Edmonton-based actor and writer Mark Meer, and author Andy Peloquin. A cosplay round table will feature the personalities Twinfools and Saltine Cosplay.
Sakura Elric, the Panels Coordinator for Penti-Con, summarized the event as having something for everyone.
“We’re a celebration for all things nerdy, whether it’s games, movies, anime, books, or beyond!”
