LeakyCon Adventures

Selina Wilken, Me, Zack Luye, Blaire Riley

As you may or may not know, this past weekend I packed my bags (complete with 8 pairs of shoes) and flew out to Chicago for LeakyCon 2012. No, LeakyCon is not a convention for plumbers, it is a Harry Potter convention that is put on by the website TheLeakyCauldron. This was the third year that the convention has been held and there were approximately 4,000 Harry Potter fans in attendance. Needless to say, it was a bit of a madhouse, but in the best way imaginable.

For me, one of the coolest things to see was that, even though the Harry Potter series is technically over, the fandom is still going strong. To see so many people who share a deep love for the amazing series that JK Rowling created congregated together was incredible. The energy it created simply cannot be described and could never be replicated. It was just one more huge reminder of why this fandom is so special and such a privilege to be a part of.

As with any convention there were tons of events available throughout the four days. There was the Opening Ceremony featuring actors from the films (including the much beloved Evanna Lynch), Wizard Rock stars, and even several members of Starkid. It was hours of fun performances that ended with an appearance of the Doctor carrying the Olympic torch. As the days went on there were many different lectures, discussions, meet and greets, even yoga classes – there was quite literally something for everyone. And then, of course, the last evening there was the ball. Thousands of Harry Potter fans living it up, dancing and having fun with one another was quite the sight to behold.

Live recording of the Edition podcast with Dylan Spartz, Zack Luye, and special guest Andrew Sims

Beyond the stars, beyond the events, beyond the incredible costumes, the thing that made this Con such a memorable time were the friendships forged. I got to meet so many of the people that I work with but have only ever communicated with online, as well as see a couple of friends again that I have only ever met in person once. Just getting to hang out with these people was worth all the money and stress of planning this trip.

Got to meet my fabulous Glee Chat co-host, Natalie, who came all the way from Australia

I am so glad that my very last minute trip out to LeakyCon was able to come together. I had so much fun that, in the 72+ hours I was there, I only spent about 6 of them asleep and I kept forgetting to take pictures. I think that both of those are pretty darn good indicators of a good time and they are certainly enough to make me put next year’s LeakyCon in Portland on my calendar.

Have you ever been to a Con? What about LeakyCon? What are your favorite parts of a Con? Let me know in the comments.

If you want to check out another first timer’s take on LeakyCon, you can go read my new friend Selina’s write up over at Hypable.