Fayetteville fandom, it’s time to rejoice! The inaugural Fan Fest will take over the Crown Complex and Downtown Fayetteville on Oct. 17 through 19, for one of the biggest events in the county, celebrating the worlds of anime, comics, cosplay, gaming, science fiction, fantasy, and everything beyond and in between. Experience two days of costumes, celebrity panels, vendors, food, and most importantly, friends. Fan Fest promises to be an unforgettable time, for the smallest attendee to the seasoned festival-goer.
Grab your friends or your family and head to The Sweet Palette, 101 Person Street, for the Fan Fest Comics and Cupcakes kickoff on Friday, Oct. 17. The Dragon’s Lair Art Team is hosting this family-friendly event. Grab a cupcake, find a table, and start sketching. The art team will be providing feedback on sketches for interested artists. Admission is $1, and all proceeds go to the Karen Chandler Trust, Inc., a local nonprofit dedicated to assisting cancer patients and their families. The fun doesn’t stop there… for the adults. 226 The Warehouse will host the official Fayetteville Fan Fest Kickoff Party featuring Raleigh’s DJ Jimmi V. Doors open at 8 p.m. and admission is $15, with VIP options available. Tickets can be purchased online at https://lp.constantcontactpages.com/ev/reg/skpndgg.
Saturday and Sunday, Fan Fest takes over the Crown. Dress to impress… and maybe win a contest for a full day of over 80 vendors, live music, lip syncing, and panels from some fan favorites. Doors open at 10 a.m., with D.J. Moniy on the ones and twos, getting the crowd ready for a full schedule of entertainment. Organizers have pulled out all the stops to create a festival that people will be talking about and anticipating next year’s lineup.
Gamers, make sure to tap in at the Stop Button gaming competition. They’ll be crowning the best in the Crown for a Super Smash Bros. and Street Fighter 6 tournament.
Cosplayers, no need to worry, Fan Fest has you covered. Litmus Cosplay is hosting the cosplay competition.
“From armor builds to anime icons, superheroes to original creations—this is your moment to shine.”
Special guests this inaugural year will include Alice Wolves, a nationally known cosplayer, Giovannie Samuels from Nickelodeon’s All That and That’s So Raven, Marilyn Ghigliotti, and Vincent Periera from Clerks and Clerks III. Fayetteville native, mental health advocate, award-winning writer, and Survivor: Edge of Extinction star, Keith Edward Sowell, will also be present. If the lineup of special guests wasn’t tempting enough, organizers are bringing back the highly popular Nerd Slam, a nationally recognized competition.
“Nerd Slam is a high-energy, interactive event where contestants compete for prizes. Participants dive into the worlds of anime, comic books, sci-fi, fantasy, gaming, and fandoms, turning their passion for “nerdy” culture into a king of the hill WINNER TAKE ALL!!!”
Fan Fest can’t be contained to the walls of the Crown. After the Crown closes the doors Saturday night, the party continues around the city with “Side Quests.” The Side Quests will take place across the city and include family-friendly and 21+ only events. Participating businesses include Archives, Gaston Brewing Company, Stop Button, Vibe Gastropub, The Sip Room, and Winterbloom Tea. A full list of “Side Quests” and festival schedule can be found online at https://www.eventeny.com/events/fayettevillefanfest-20696/?srsltid=AfmBOorHjUdBZjhxIEv_FT8nR5h56IJ2gDQH6V3VS7efOnGidNfDFwo5.
Tickets can be purchased at the Crown Complex box office during business hours or online at https://www.ticketmaster.com/fayetteville-fan-fest-2025-saturday-fayetteville-north-carolina-10-18-2025/event/2D006305AC0F2C87.
Sponsors have been a vital part of making this new edition to the Fayetteville Festival scene successful and fun. Those include Base Con, VerseCon, Poetry-n-Motion, LLC, Bowens Counseling Services PLLC, Fayetteville Heckler, Fit4Life Hope Mills, and FayToday News.
LeJuane “El’Ja” Bowens, Director of Programming, is beyond excited to see the vision he and other organizers have been planning for quite some time now, stating, “Fayetteville Fan Fest is designed to be for everyone who loves fandom and community—from lifelong collectors to casual fans, families, and people who just want to experience something new and fun in Fayetteville.
“At its heart, Fan Fest is for anyone who wants to connect through stories, creativity, and fandom—no matter your age, background, or level of experience. Fayetteville Fan Fest has the potential to add value to Cumberland County on several levels: It brings a large-scale pop culture festival to the area, something usually reserved for bigger cities. This diversifies the county’s cultural offerings and makes Fayetteville a hub for fandom and creativity. The festival offers accessible, family-friendly programming like the Autism Trunk or Treat, making it inclusive to all residents. Side Quests and after-hours events encourage people to explore Fayetteville beyond the Crown Complex, spreading foot traffic across the city. This strengthens the county’s image as a place where arts, culture, and entertainment thrive, helping long-term tourism and community pride,” he said.
Fan Fest has been a passion project for Bowen and others.
“The idea for Fan Fest was born from a vision between Keith Gibbs of The Raleigh Llama, LLC and me to bring something fresh and exciting to Fayetteville—an event that goes beyond a traditional convention and creates a festival-style atmosphere with panels, celebrity guests, artist showcases, gaming, live performances, and family-friendly programming. The goal was to give local fans the same level of experience you’d find in larger cities while still highlighting Fayetteville’s own culture and community,” he explained.
Fan Fest truly has an impact on Fayetteville. The first step is community involvement. Purchase tickets, explore the Side Quests, and enjoy Fan Fest 2025!