Fan Expo Returns To Philly Today With A Vengeance
by Alex Lloyd Gross
Fan Expo is happening at the Pennsylvania Convention Center this weekend. It’s something that should be experienced at least once in your lifetime. This is a place where vendors selling everything from t shirts, to comic books to custom lighting gather in one spot. If it deals with pop culture and you can’t find it there, you don’t need it.
This is the place where people dress up as their favorite character , from superheroes to villains. At a past convention, one good soul dressed as a Dr. Who Telephone Box. There are opportunities to meet actors and get signatures or take selfies with them.
Usually it is for a fee. One such person, Claudia Wells came to Philly early to promote the event. She made herself available for interviews and photos at a center city hotel lobby. It was there that people could just walk up to her and chat with her.
Most of the times the fees are reasonable, other times they are not. Most public groups on social media shame the actor for charging way too much, like several hundred dollars for a selfie or a signature.
Many actors, such as William Shatner are legends and a convention like this affords people to walk up to say hello.Shatner, Helen Hunt and Heather Graham are just a few of the actors there this time. For a full list, go here.
If you are interested in just walking around, to see what is there, this is a great way to get out of the heat, for a few hours. You will wind up spending money regardless. Once you are in, you can leave, put your purchases back in your car and come back in for more. Re Entry is permitted.