KidCon: A fun first for Montréal families

FanCons and the like can be scary (and not just because of all of the presumably fully grown adults pretending to be their favourite comic book, gaming or sci-fi movie/TV character). No one knows that better than the organizers of the inaugural edition of new Montréal convention event, KidCon.

“We’ve done a lot of work in the world of FanCons,” says David Newman, president of Crabapple Events, who are producing KidCon. “People would come to them and bring their kids. But as an organizer, people would approach me and say, ‘You know, we’re having a great time but there’s stuff here that’s not really appropriate for our children,’ like comics with violent scenes or sexual content, or bloody costumes… So it inspired me to create something that was, instead of an adult event where you bring the kids, a kid event where you bring the adults.”

FanCon becomes FunCon at this ambitious, activity-filled and G-rated endeavour, which takes place at Montréal’s Uniprix Stadium Sept. 26 and 27. Geared to the 3-to-12 crowd, KidCon features a special screening of the Frozen Sing-Along Edition movie, live performances courtesy of characters from popular kids TV shows and Star Wars, video and board games zones, a costume parade (everyone is encouraged to come dressed up), inflatable rides, reading and crafts areas, food trucks, an array of child product exhibitors and much more. (See the KidCon website for complete information.)

In short, the indoor event –which covers more than 75,000 square feet in the same complex that hosts the annual Rogers Cup pro tennis tournament – truly has something for the whole family.
“I like variety,” says Newman, a father of 6- and 4-year-old kids. “I’m excited about being able to watch a professional live performance and then running over to the video game zone, and then over to the inflatables area – there are a couple of inflatables that adults can do with their kids – and then after that pull my daughter over to the arts and crafts area where we can calm down.” The full experience is also an inclusive experience, and Newman notes that maintaining the bicultural character of KidCon was especially important during the programming phase.

“We wanted to make sure that both English and French visitors had plenty to be entertained by,” he says. Télé-Québec shows Toc Toc Toc, Les Argonautes and GÉNIAL! will be on hand, and for English attendees, Mountain Lake PBS is coming with Curious George. Mountain Lake PBS will also set up a mini-studio where wee ones can learn about TV production, just one of the many paws-on activities that underscore the emphasis put on the experiential, interactive component of KidCon.
“We’re really proud of the fact that it’s not just a come and see things event, it’s a come and do things event,” enthuses Newman. Sheltoons will have art workshops, Geomag magnetic construction toys will have a play area and there’s one special event that will be of extra interest to the collectable-obsessed kid in your clan: a Shopkins trade party with Shopkins giveaways and play set prizes.
“It’s going to be crazy.”