Fangirl Friday; Surviving ComiCon

Ever thought about hitting up a Comic Convention or Fan Expo near you? It's a really awesome experience, and there's always something in it for everyone. However, there are definitely many tips and tricks that can make your time at these events worthwhile. And I'm ready to share with you how to make the absolute best out of any comic/fan themed experience! Get ready for a jam-packed list of awesomeness:

1. Buy your tickets in advance: this is going to be the most stress-free option for anyone who is interested in attending. You won't have to worry about showing up just to find out that tickets are sold out, and you skip the ticket-line altogether. 
2. Choose your day wisely: if you don't plan on attending the entire weekend of the event, be sure to choose which day you go wisely. Fridays are usually the first full day of the event, there will be a lot of different mini-events going on, and celebrity appearances, and the venue will definitely be busy with event-goers. Saturdays are crazy days, but can also be very fun. Almost every planned celebrity guest will be around on the Saturday, there will be plenty of mini-events, and the crowd will almost (if not already) be at capacity. Sundays are the most relaxed at conventions. The event will still have celebrity guests and mini-events, but definitely not as many as on Fridays and Saturdays. Because of this, the crowd is a little less intense. 
3. Plan your day ahead of time: be sure to check out what types of vendors you'll be interesting in stopping at, as well as what celebrities you may want to meet. A lot of vendors/meet and greets take cash only, so you'll want to bring however much money that you have budgeted for. Information for celebrity pricing and vendor maps will most likely be on the website of the convention you are attending. (don't forget about money for food, you will definitely get hungry!)
4. *Wear a costume*: this is the ultimate must of attending a convention. 90% of the people around you will be dressed up in cosplay, and when you're playing along with everyone else, the excitement of the event kicks in even more. You'll have people stopping you for pictures, and it's a great icebreaker to meet new friends.
5. Go with a group: going with a group of people, for me at least, made the experience really enjoyable, especially since we were all in costume. We were constantly starting up conversations with strangers, and having our pictures taken every few minutes. It was so much fun to feel like our own little "celebrities" for the day.

Comic Conventions/Fan Expos have so many different things to do, so you won't have to worry about getting bored. You'll see artwork, accessories, demonstrations, celebrity panels, contests, costumes, and so much more at these events. As long as you buy your tickets in advance, you won't really have worry about what time to show up, as it all depends on how much time you want to spend there. Get geeky and let loose!

I'll be attending FanExpo this coming September, so be sure to check out their website for more info. It's an incredibly fun event, and you will not be disappointed!