Celebrating pop culture

For the sixth year, downtown Kelowna will be overflowing with people dressed up in costumes for the Kelowna Fan Experience.

The Comic-Con-style event involves a number of activities, talks, film screenings, live performances and booths where artists can show off their comics, anime and more. Many in attendance will be partaking in cosplay – dressing up as their favourite pop culture character.

Last year, more than 5,500 people attended the event, and producer Bonnie Gratz says she's expecting more this year, when the three-day event kicks off on March 22.

“People work for a whole year on their costume in order to go to these different events ... throughout North America,” Gratz said. “At the time that we started, there wasn't anything else like this in the Okanagan, so people are so jazzed to be able to have the opportunity to show people in their home city and their home region what they can do.”

The Kelowna Fan Experience has grown by leaps and bounds since it debuted in 2014, and this year will feature the Okanagan premiere of Daughter of the Wolf, a feature film shot in the Valley last year featuring Richard Dreyfuss and Gina Carano.

Gratz is still looking for additional volunteers and sponsors to help put on the event. Those interested can reach her at [email protected] or on the KFX Facebook page.