Tag: Langford

Island FanCon 2026 Convention Report: Still Working It Out

Island FanCon returned to Langford for its third year, and the question of what it wants to be is still being answered. Here’s what worked, what didn’t, and why The Viking Group’s shadow looms over all of it.

Island Fancon 2026As Island FanCon enters its third year, it faces an uphill climb. Managing expectations will be tough. What exactly is it trying to be? The identity introduced from the get-go is obvious: help the City of Langford grow. When this event is sponsored by The Viking Group, that detail is hard to miss. And this year, they’re the first thing everyone spots when entering the arena.

When this event is one of the few gatherings still existing for Greater Victoria, geeks are noticing. As for comparing it alongside larger regional conventions in the Lower Mainland, anyone attempting to do so doesn’t really understand the difference between fan-run and corporate.

When this event’s cousins, Metro Con and Northern Fan Con, share the same vibe, expectations need to be lowered accordingly. And as the Island show is still shaping its identity, patience is required. Some attendees come looking for something similar to Fan Expo Vancouver, and honestly, that’s not what Island Fan Con is about. It’s not a full-scale show, and it was never meant to spotlight every geek operation in the municipality.

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The Guest Lineup for Island FanCon 2026 is Looking Good!

Island FanCon 2026 is shaping up as a community-focused pop culture event for Langford and the surrounding region, with a guest list that blends film, television, and sports personalities in a way few local conventions attempt.

Island FanCon 2026

Island FanCon 2026 is beginning to take shape with a regular wave of guest announcements, and to their credit, they are doing one thing other shows have not done: to include stars from the sports arena to the pop culture scene. Now in its third year, the convention functions as a hometown, community-focused event for residents of Langford, British Columbia, and surrounding areas. The event is scheduled to take place from June 5 to 7, 2026, at City Centre Park.

Whether the show is worth traveling to depends largely on your interest in the specific talents attending. You won’t find “hard to find” comics or high-end collectibles here, but for those looking to interact with guests or find traditional staples like Harry Potter, Pokémon, Star Wars, and Funko to add to a collection, the show offers a bit of everything. This also includes a selection of vendors who typically market to tourists at local summer events.

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An Island Fancon Report and Why Greater Victoria Needs More Nerdy Events!

When Greater Victoria is home to Island Fancon, can this event grow to replace the huge gap that nerds living in this region need?

Island Fancon LogoWhen Island Fancon becomes the event for pop culture enthusiasts to congregate in the Greater Victoria region, let’s hope this show will keep on going. The convention takes place in Langford, British Columbia, and chief organizer Lonnie Eckardt is committed to keeping this celebration going. He is aware of the challenges and will do his best to make it work.

After last year’s news from Capital City Comic Con that they cannot continue, no other party with similar offerings exists. And I discussed the problems this city faces in a separate editorial. In a nutshell, this region has trouble with keeping a convention going after three or so years.

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In Langford, BC The Outpost Board Game Café Won’t Be Your Last Stop

Just what the Outpost Board Game Café aims to offer is a place for locals to relax without having to drive into the big city.

Outpost Board Game Cafe 0
Located at 2830 Peatt Rd Unit 109

Existing outside the municipality of Victoria, BC is the appropriately named Outpost Board Game Café! Joshua and Elijah Driver run this operation, and they said to Goldstream News Gazette the idea came about when they realized the city was lacking options for evening entertainment.

While Everything Games cater to the miniatures war-gaming, role playing and trading card game crowd, this place aims to fill the missing niche of board games like Settlers of Catan and even the classic Monopoly. Both venues are located close to this area’s downtown strip. There’s also Hang and Play Videogames and Curious Comics satellite operation.

Folks don’t have to go far to satisfy their craving. And just like Island Fan Con, the emergence of options to keep locals entertained without having to visit the City of Victoria proper is growing. As the area is a gateway to other parts of Vancouver Island, to have this place as a stop is perfect and welcoming based on the response so far has been very positive since opening November 1, 2024!

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The Deets on Island Fancon According to Lonnie Eckardt, An Interview

… and we have reactions from the fandom community far and wide about Island FanCom, taking place mid-april!

Lonnie Eckardt, Spokesman for Island FanConLonnie Eckardt has been passionate about all things pop culture for as long as he can remember. And after spending time at Northern FanCon not only as an attendee back when they first started in 2015 but also as a president in the latter years since 2021, he’s decided to bring some of that vibe to Langford, BC! This sibling event known as Island FanCon is being run by a dedicated group of individuals from this community.

As he’s no stranger to event organisation and after a decade living in the Dogpatch (a term used back in the 90s than today), it will be difficult to sway some people who have opinions about this part of Greater Victoria. But since Lonnie is up-to-date in seeing how this sleepy township has grown, he felt it was time to set up a celebration locals can like. The response has largely been positive.

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