Panels and Events Galore at PFF 2023
As I had mentioned in my primary article regarding this year’s Phoenix Fan Fusion, there was a lot to do and see throughout the course of the three-day weekend as compared to the previous year, or so it felt. The panels started every day at 10:30 AM and ran well into the late evening ending around Midnight, filled with things from all genres and fandoms like informative science panels to fun game show-type ones, to 18+ panels held late-night that were rated as such for the hilarious ‘adult’ content than anything risqué (more often than not). Regardless, the one thing that everyone had in common who ran a panel at this convention was being excited and eager to share what they had put together for their prospective audiences. As for the third-floor West building panel rooms (the largest ones in the convention center), they were reserved for the celebrity guests which held their own Q&A type panels across the weekend, all of which were filled to capacity with attendees eager to ask them anything that came to mind.
There was also a wide variety of epic events spread out across the weekend, things like the ‘Villain’s Ball’ and ‘Anime Rave’; two massive dance parties that literally had the floor vibrating up and down from the energy of the crowd. Even on Sunday, which is normally the “wind-down” day of the convention, there were things to do such as Cosplay Karaoke that lasted almost right up until the very end at 5PM, ensuring that every last minute had something fun for everyone. Just to give you a small list of the other events that occurred during the convention, it also had (but was not limited to):
- Live Wrestling
- Charity Poker Tournament
- Burlesque
- Queen Lantern Corps Dragstravaganza
- Lightsaber Training/Tournament
- The Roast of Boba Fett
- Steampunk Fashion Show
- Escape Rooms
- Silent Disco
- TMNT “Shell-A-Bration” (viewing of the original ‘90s movie with the cast!)
- Drinks With Authors/Silent Auction
- Star Trek Mixer with Walter Koenig
Between these panels and events, it’s a wonder that anyone was able to get enough rest to experience it all, but the one thing I observed throughout the entire weekend was that the energy stayed high for the attendees as much as the panelists and hosts presenting to them. It was truly a sight to behold, and I can’t wait to see what new and inventive things the next year brings!
Until next time,’ ja ne tomodach!
-Last Samurai
