Comic conventions are now plentiful and many cover the whole gamut of entertainment. From graphic novels to streaming television, it can seem many of them have a wide net and an identikit approach. Yet there are still niche conventions out there, unique in the very narrow approach to a topic that they have. So how do you find one that stands out? Below, we choose three of the world’s oddest and most unique conventions from past and present.
The International UFO Congress
The International UFO Congress is the place to go if you want to know anything about unidentified flying objects, and every theory and shred of evidence to suggest if they have or have not made contact with humans. It was established in 1991 in Nevada, later moving to Arizona.
While the conference has changed ownership many times since then, its core principles remain the same. It features talks from experts, writers, and other speakers along with vendors and entertainment. Everything from alien abduction to sightings and government cover-ups are discussed and debated.
Bingo World
On the surface, Bingo may seem like a simple game. You have a card that has a selection of numbers on it. Numbered balls are picked out at random and if they correspond with the ones on your card, you win the game. Yet it is much deeper than that. Bingo has lots of different variations and has a long history spanning cultures across the globe.
It’s played in specialist halls and even in privately organized meetings. This popularity has been driven by the consumer desire for online bingo which has offered convenience, so people can play from home or even on a morning commute. Bingo promotions on many sites has also brought in a new audience, turning it into a global phenomenon.
Bingo World meets every year and brings together the big players in the world of bingo. From organizers like the military and charities, even down to the players themselves. It is a sector that is only going to get bigger.
BronyCon
BronyCon has to go down as one of the most out-there conventions in history, yet one that grew in huge popularity during its short tenure. It gathered together fans of My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic, a reboot of the classic eighties cartoon. However, this was not young girls or even their nostalgic parents who took to the convention floor.
The animation managed to attract a huge following of adult male fans due to its viral popularity on internet message boards. These fans began to meet up and eventually even dress up as their favorite characters. The phenomenon went wild when the creators began putting nods to this in the shows themselves.
In total, 11 BronyCon events took place. The final one was in August 2019 and drew a crowd of over 10,000 attendees.
New conventions will pop up regularly and the joy is often finding them while they are still small. Don’t be afraid to visit something new and you may find a convention that introduces you to a whole new passion.
