Annual Cosplay Games Scavenger Hunt this weekend a preview for FanX 2021

SALT LAKE CITY —  Anxious fans of the FanX Salt Lake Comic Convention are expected at this weekend’s annual Cosplay Games Scavenger Hunt taking place at the Gateway. The scavenger hunt is the opening act for the FanX 2021 experience taking place at the Salt Palace Convention Center in downtown Salt Lake City, September 16-18, 2021.

And the scavenger hunt will offer an opportunity for fans to win free passes to the convention!

The scavenger hunt and convention are always highly anticipated. But this year there’s added enthusiasm, because COVID-19 caused the cancellation of the 2020  convention and pop-culture event.

The Cosplay Games launches the FanX season for many of the convention guests as they socialize with their peers, select outfits, discuss panel options, and plan for how they will “attack” the most popular convention in Utah.

In a new episode of KSL’s Fan Effect Podcast, FanX founder and producer Dan Farr joined host Andy Farnsworth to discuss the games, and preview the plethora of experiences the event will offer in less than a month.

For the 2021 event, visitors will be able to enjoy the regular offerings of celebrity guest appearances, autographs, photo opportunities, cosplay meetups, exhibitors, merchandise and artist alley vendors, gaming, KidCon, and a variety of panels.

But, organizers have added extra experiences like a FanX Quest, a workshop room, a tabletop gaming charity event, and even a cosplay contest with cash awards.

Annual Cosplay Games scavenger hunt overview

The Annual Cosplay Games scavenger hunt is FREE for guests ages 11 and up who are dressed in cosplay or costume. Teams of one to six members will be sent on a photo scavenger hunt around Salt Lake City starting a the Gateway at 10 am and ending at noon. 

Depending on how many locations the teams find and photograph, guests can qualify to win passes or photo opp vouchers. 

• This is an all-ages event, but for safety, children and teens under the age of 18 must be accompanied by a parent or guardian to participate. 
  • Children 10 years old and younger are welcome to participate in Cosplay Games but will not win a pass to FanX because their admission is free with a paying adult pass purchase. 
• All eligible team members must be present at a 9:30 am check-in and provide a contact email. 
  • Spin Scooters will be on hand for FREE to help in the search!
• Every team that finds five to nine locations will win a Thursday Pass for each member aged 11 and above. Teams who get all 10 locations will get a multiday pass for each member ages 11 and above. 
• For specific rules and details on the event visit the FanX website Cosplay Games page. 

FanX 2021  Overview 

FanX is back, and bigger and better than ever! When the worldwide coronavirus pandemic canceled FanX Salt Lake Comic Convention in 2020, organizers promised to be back and ready for an even greater experience in 2021. That experience runs at the Salt Palace Convention Center in downtown Salt Lake City September 16-18, 2021.

Tickets can be purchased online at FanXSaltLake.com.  They come in a variety of experience tiers. Please note, tickets purchased at the door will cost more.   

• Tickets include single days with access to vendors, panels, and more. Multi-day passes, as well as Gold and VIP passes with early entry to the vendor hall and other cool perks/swag.
  • Day passes: Thursday $20, Friday $30, Saturday $40.
  • MultiPass (all three days): $50.00. 
    • VIP multipass  $295.00.
    • Gold multipass $125.00.
  • The following individuals qualify for a 15% discount on their FanX 2021 passes: Students, Teachers, Military (active and veteran), First Responders, Seniors (60+).
  • All babies and children 10 years old and younger are FREE with the purchase of an Adult Pass
• A variety of celebrity guests, authors, artists, and panelists will be attending the convention. See the full guests list on their page of the FanX website. 
  • Highlighted guests include Zachary Quinto, Adam Savage, Payton List, Misha Collins, Ashley Eckstein, Loretta Switt, Jim Cummings,  and more! 
• FanX is working on COVID protocols to provide for the safety of all guests who attend the event. 
• Find tips for attending the event on the FanX website. 
• Download the FanX App for information and to start planning your convention experience. 

Podcast audiogram photo: Fans of Salt Lake Comic Con showed up to pose at a commercial shoot in Orem, Utah. | Credit: Dana Blunk, Creative Media Group (2014).

Podcast highlights: 

• • FanX founder and producer Dan Farr and Fan Effect podcast host Andy Farnsworth break down their favorite parts of the convention, the COVID precautions and protocols being planned for the convention, and all the new offerings offered this year.
    • “We probably have one of the most rounded lineups of celebrities that we have put together. We’ve had two years to build this show. And so there’s so many wonderful things that’s going to happen. But the caveat is, I don’t want anybody taking any personal risks. And I want people to be careful. And if they feel like they would be taking a risk to come to the event, we’re going to build great shows to come down the road. And you know, as much as we’ll miss them, I just don’t want people to risk their health.” – Dan Farr
  • Farr gives an insight into what it is like booking celebrities amid a pandemic.
  • Farr hints at a major celebrity they are trying to bring into the event and gives some names of iconic stars they try to bring in every year. 
  • Farr shares which guest he is most excited about meeting this year. (Hint, they might share a name.) 
  • Farnsworth shares who he is most excited to meet this year at the con. 
  • Both discuss the sense of fun and unity between fandoms at the event.
    • “Our focus all along was to bring people together. It’s been so beautiful to see such a wide variety of people coming together and getting along, and celebrating finding the common interests.” – Dan Farr. 
  • Farr revealed that flexibility and understanding are going to be the key to this event as the world is still in the midst of a pandemic. This includes the flexibility of event schedule, celebrity lineup, and offerings at the con. 
    • “We are so excited to be having that time together, you know, can’t come soon enough in a lot of ways. We can still use the extra time to prepare, still trying to lock in a few more guests and what we have announced. But still, we just were so excited to get together and see our family again!” 

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Listen to the full Fan Effect Episode

Podcast cover photo: Fans dressed in cosplay cheer as guests are announced at a press conference for Salt Lake Comic Con FanX 2016 at the Leonardo Museum in Salt Lake City on Tuesday, Nov. 24, 2015. | Credit: Chris Samuels, Deseret News.

Beyond Sci-Fi, Fantasy, Gaming and Tech, the brains behind Fan Effect are connoisseurs of categories surpassing the nerdy. Brilliant opinions and commentary on all things geek, but surprising knowledge and witty arguments over pop culture, Star Trek, MARVEL vs DC, and a wide range of movies, TV shows, and more. Formerly known as SLC Fanboys, the show is hosted by Andy Farnsworth and KellieAnn Halvorsen, who are joined by guest-experts. Based in the beautiful beehive state, Fan Effect celebrates Utah’s unique fan-culture as it has been declared The Nerdiest State in America by TIME.   

Listen regularly on your favorite platform, at kslnewsradio.com, at kslpodcasts.com or on the KSL App. Join the conversation on Facebook @FanEffectShow, Instagram @FanEffectShow, and Twitter @FanEffectShow. Fan Effect is sponsored by Megaplex Theatres, Utah’s premiere movie entertainment company. 

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