Latest news with #AndrewMoyes
Calgary Herald
27-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Calgary Herald
In photos: Calgary Expo 2025 at home in new venue
Article content The Calgary Comics and Entertainment Expo opened Thursday in its new home, the expanded BMO Centre — and for Fan Expo HQ vice-president Andrew Moyes, the event was a resounding success. Article content Article content 'It's been a fantastic weekend,' said Moyes. 'We've all been waiting for this event to take over the entire BMO Centre and it's definitely delivered.' Article content The recently expanded BMO Centre opened in June 2024, nearly doubling the venue's space to become the largest convention centre in western Canada. Article content Article content 'I think the new facility has allowed us to level up the event and deliver a fantastic fan experience all under one roof,' Moyes said. 'There's always some trepidation when you're in a new house, so to speak, so we just wanted to understand how the whole event would work logistically, and I think it really passed with flying colours.' Article content Article content The Parade of Wonders also looked different this year, with a new route from Victoria Park, down Centre Street to 17th Avenue, and across the new Flores LaDue Parade to the new front steps of the BMO. Article content 'So there was a lot of newness this year, and despite best efforts with planning you never know until you add exhibitors, celebrities and fans to the mix,' Moyes said, adding attendance was on track to break the 100,000 mark. Article content 'All in all we're feeling really great about it, and very very positive for the potential that the new venue and just the overall community is heralding for future years. Article content 'It's been a great celebration, it's been really positive, and a really fantastic weekend for Calgary overall.' Article content Article content Article content Article content Article content Article content Article content Article content Article content
Calgary Herald
25-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Calgary Herald
‘Energy is electric': A mashup of cosplayers and celebrities in Parade of Wonders
Article content 'We'll see a picture and we'll really like it,' Schnurr said. 'And we'll say we gotta build that.' Article content The costumes are often such a hit that it can be difficult for the duo to walk through the building without getting requests from passersby for photos. Article content Article content 'In the past, it would take us a half hour,' Carl said. Hurdles aside, it has become a tradition for father and daughter. Article content 'We're the type of people who like attention,' Mackenzie said. 'So getting to wear the big costumes is fun.' Article content Meaghan Macallum and her partner Talon MacPhail met while playing The Legend of Zelda. 'We grew up playing Zelda,' Macallum said. 'We had that in common. So this was a no-brainer.' Article content Macallum was decked out in a hand-crocheted full-length Zelda dress, which she said took her two years to make. 'I was thinking about buying my own costume, but if I want a really nice (one), it would cost a lot,' she said. Article content Article content 'This cost me a lot of time but I was willing to put in the effort for it and I'm really happy with how it turned out.' Article content MacPhail — dressed as Link, Zelda's love-interest — said he bought most of his outfit, but 3D-printed his sword and painted over his shield. Article content Article content This is the couple's first time visiting the parade, but Macallum said she has already begun brainstorming ideas for costumes to wear next year. 'I'm into an anime called Violet Evergarden,' she said. 'I was thinking one day, maybe I could try that.' Article content Andrew Moyes, vice-president of the Fan Expo, said the success would not be without the expo's partnerships with the city, Stampede, the police and the community. Article content Andrew Moyes, vice-president of the Fan Expo, credits the city, Stampede, Calgary police and the community for the parade's success. Article content Article content 'It's a great reflection of what this community of fandom is all about,' Moyes said. 'The energy is just electric.' Article content His own conversations with fans come down to finding a 'sense of belonging,' he said. 'Feeling that sense of inclusion, discovering new fandoms, celebrating the ones we love.'
