C2E2 2024 Review

This past weekend, Chicago's annual Entertainment and Comic Expo took place at the McCormick Place convention center. C2E2, a three-day celebration of all things geeky and fun, ran from April 26th to 28th, drawing fans from across the globe to indulge in their favorite fandoms from movies, TV, and anime. While C2E2 spanned three exciting days, my family and I were only able to attend for one day. It was my first time at C2E2, and it was also the first fan event of this scale for my 9-year-old. With so much to see and do, we couldn't cover everything or meet everyone on our list, but the experiences we did have were truly memorable and incredibly enjoyable.

Getting to C2E2 was convenient for us as we live in the Chicago area and had prior experience attending events at McCormick Place. However, finding the designated C parking spot was a new experience for us. It took a bit of navigation, but the event staff was helpful in guiding us in the right direction. Once we parked, the walk to the building was straightforward. I did notice that individuals with mobility issues might face some challenges navigating certain areas, especially after the rain made some paths slippery. Despite this, getting to the main building was relatively easy, and there were plenty of staff available along the way to assist with any inquiries. This was particularly helpful for someone like me who can easily get lost or overwhelmed in such situations.

Upon receiving our badges, gaining entry to the main event area was a smooth process. We strategically arrived a bit later to minimize our time spent waiting in line at will call and security. One highlight for my daughter was observing other attendees arriving in their cosplays, giving her a preview of the creativity she would encounter during the event. Once inside, we took a moment to review the map and plan our itinerary for the day. Planning ahead is essential at a fan event like C2E2 due to the vast array of activities available. The only activity we had pre-planned was a photo-op with the cast of One Piece.

One of the cool parts of the expo was the fan beer tent by Revolution Brewery. They had six different beers, from IPA to a light, lemony one. From the brewery’s League Of Heroes collection of beers. The prices were what you'd expect for C2E2, and they even had a fake grass area where you could chill out. After checking out the vendor tables, we decided to hit up the Power Rangers Panel with Amy Jo Johnson and David Yost. Finding the panel room was easy, and there were plenty of seats available. Amy Jo Johnson and David Yost really made it fun for us millennial Power Rangers fans, sharing some awesome insights from their time on the show. My daughter, a big Power Rangers fan, may not have gotten all the stories, but she loved hearing about how they made the show.

If you're bringing young kids along, make sure they're dressed comfortably for walking and waiting in lines all day. It's also a good idea to take breaks in between events to avoid getting too tired. After catching the Power Rangers panel, we hurried to find the photo-op area. This is where more signs showing the way to the autograph and photo-op section would have been handy. Once we located the photo-op area, the staff was once again very helpful, and the line moved quite swiftly. Following that, we lined up for autographs from individual artists, which was the challenging part. Waiting in line for Colleen Clinkenbeard (One Piece) took about an hour, which can feel like a long time, especially with a kid in tow. However, the wait was worth it due to the personalized care and attention that Colleen , Luci Christian, Sonny Strait and Ian Sinclair (One Piece) provided to each fan.

After getting the autographs, we took a breather back on the beer lawn to figure out how to spend the rest of our time. My daughter was on a mission to shop for new anime and gaming goodies.

While browsing the vendors, I couldn't help but notice that many didn't offer significant deals for expo attendees. Honestly, I've come across better online deals for certain anime figures and merchandise. However, we did find our way back to "Artist Alley," wishing there were clearer signs to point us towards independent artists and writers. There, I stumbled upon some cool indie game books and a unique druid-inspired ring, along with a few gifts for those who couldn't make it to the event.

Overall, our experience at C2E2 2024 was enjoyable, and I believe the whole family would be up for another round next year, now that we have a better grasp of what to expect. My daughter's father mentioned the lack of diversity among the invited guests. As a Native American family, we hope to see more representation of Native and other BIPOC talent at events like C2E2. My daughter had a blast, but she felt the lines were too long and wished for more panels and workshops geared towards the 9-13 age group. While there were kid-friendly events, some seemed a bit young for her.

Would we attend again? Absolutely, and hopefully, next year, we can make it a longer weekend and bring along more friends and family. It can be a pricey outing, so planning ahead is key. While the passes themselves weren't too bad since I got them early, the costs for photo-ops, autographs, and merch did add up quickly.

I'm looking forward to what C2E2 2025 has in store, hoping for an even more amazing and unforgettable experience!