Salt Lake Comic Con are looking to "/> Salt Lake Comic Con are looking to "/> Salt Lake Comic Con asks fans to pick FanX date: January, April, or not at all - The Salt Lake Tribune

Salt Lake Comic Con asks fans to pick FanX date: January, April, or not at all

Franciso Kjolseth | Tribune file photo
Izra'il Peña the little video game "BMO from Adventure Time," gets the cutest award as thousands of fiction fans from near and far gather at the Salt Palace Convention Center for day two of Salt Lake Comic Con's FanX.

Franciso Kjolseth | The Salt Lake Tribune
Allan Wood and his wife Emily sport the creative knit caps done by Emily as they join thousands of fiction fans from near and far gathered at the Salt Palace Convention Center for day two of Salt Lake Comic Con's FanX.

Franciso Kjolseth | The Salt Lake Tribune
"Walking Dead riot gear zombies," Dalton Gordon and Jet Timmons look as though they just walked off set as they join thousands of fiction fans from near and far gathered at the Salt Palace Convention Center for day two of Salt Lake Comic Con's FanX.

Franciso Kjolseth | The Salt Lake Tribune
Fans get a chance to sit in the 1966 Batmobile for a picture at the Salt Palace Convention Center for day two of Salt Lake Comic Con's FanX.

Franciso Kjolseth | Tribune file photo
Rebecca Phillips poses for a picture as "Loki from Thor," as thousands of fiction fans from near and far gather at the Salt Palace Convention Center for day two of Salt Lake Comic Con's FanX.

Franciso Kjolseth | The Salt Lake Tribune
"Mandalorian Bounty Hunters," Jana Grasseschi, left, and Jason rave over the Salt Lake's Comic Con's FanX after making the drive from Colorado for a second year in a row saying they won't bother with the one in Denver after attending the one here.

Franciso Kjolseth | The Salt Lake Tribune
Dan Stephensen commands an impressive costume as "Outcast" from "Fallout 3," as thousands of fiction fans from near and far gather at the Salt Palace Convention Center for day two of Salt Lake Comic Con's FanX.

Franciso Kjolseth | The Salt Lake Tribune
Mad scientist Greg Fisk greets visitors to his booth as thousands of fiction fans from near and far gather at the Salt Palace Convention Center for day two of Salt Lake Comic Con's FanX.

Franciso Kjolseth | The Salt Lake Tribune
Sasha Stokes strikes a pose as a "Summer Soldier," alongside Tiffanie Bowcutt as "Umbreon from Pokemon," at the Salt Palace Convention Center for day two of Salt Lake Comic Con's FanX.

Franciso Kjolseth | The Salt Lake Tribune
A team of "custom Mandalorians," played by Brittanie Larsen, left, Daniel Wagner and Dean Derhak march through the crowds as thousands of fiction fans from near and far gather at the Salt Palace Convention Center for day two of Salt Lake Comic Con's FanX.

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Franciso Kjolseth | Tribune file photo Izra'il Peña the little video game "BMO from Adventure Time," gets the cutest award as thousands of fiction fans from near and far gather at the Salt Palace Convention Center for day two of Salt Lake Comic Con's FanX. Franciso Kjolseth | The Salt Lake Tribune Allan Wood and his wife Emily sport the creative knit caps done by Emily as they join thousands of fiction fans from near and far gathered at the Salt Palace Convention Center for day two of Salt Lake Comic Con's FanX. Franciso Kjolseth | The Salt Lake Tribune "Walking Dead riot gear zombies," Dalton Gordon and Jet Timmons look as though they just walked off set as they join thousands of fiction fans from near and far gathered at the Salt Palace Convention Center for day two of Salt Lake Comic Con's FanX. Franciso Kjolseth | The Salt Lake Tribune Fans get a chance to sit in the 1966 Batmobile for a picture at the Salt Palace Convention Center for day two of Salt Lake Comic Con's FanX. Franciso Kjolseth | Tribune file photo Rebecca Phillips poses for a picture as "Loki from Thor," as thousands of fiction fans from near and far gather at the Salt Palace Convention Center for day two of Salt Lake Comic Con's FanX. Franciso Kjolseth | The Salt Lake Tribune "Mandalorian Bounty Hunters," Jana Grasseschi, left, and Jason rave over the Salt Lake's Comic Con's FanX after making the drive from Colorado for a second year in a row saying they won't bother with the one in Denver after attending the one here. Franciso Kjolseth | The Salt Lake Tribune Dan Stephensen commands an impressive costume as "Outcast" from "Fallout 3," as thousands of fiction fans from near and far gather at the Salt Palace Convention Center for day two of Salt Lake Comic Con's FanX. Franciso Kjolseth | The Salt Lake Tribune Mad scientist Greg Fisk greets visitors to his booth as thousands of fiction fans from near and far gather at the Salt Palace Convention Center for day two of Salt Lake Comic Con's FanX. Franciso Kjolseth | The Salt Lake Tribune Sasha Stokes strikes a pose as a "Summer Soldier," alongside Tiffanie Bowcutt as "Umbreon from Pokemon," at the Salt Palace Convention Center for day two of Salt Lake Comic Con's FanX. Franciso Kjolseth | The Salt Lake Tribune A team of "custom Mandalorians," played by Brittanie Larsen, left, Daniel Wagner and Dean Derhak march through the crowds as thousands of fiction fans from near and far gather at the Salt Palace Convention Center for day two of Salt Lake Comic Con's FanX.

The Cricket by Sean P. Means

· October 3, 2014 3:28 pm

This is an archived article that was published on sltrib.com in 2014, and information in the article may be outdated. It is provided only for personal research purposes and may not be reprinted.

The folks behind Salt Lake Comic Con are looking to set a date for the second Fan Experience, or FanX, and want the fans to help them decide.

Salt Lake Comic Con has set up an online poll, asking fans to choose between two potential weekends in early 2015 — Jan. 29-31, or April 2-4 — for the FanX event at the Salt Palace Convention Center.

Each date has advantages and disadvantages.

The January weekend would coincide with the second weekend of the 2015 Sundance Film Festival — which Salt Lake Comic Con organizers think is an advantage, because FanX could lure celebrities already visiting Utah. (Never mind that most stars arrive in Park City for the opening weekend, then head back for their day jobs in Hollywood by Monday or Tuesday.)

Salt Lake Comic Con organizers also think they can attract more celebrities in January because there are fewer film projects happening, and less competition from other conventions.

Because of January weather, there would be fewer outdoor events, and cosplayers who go for something skimpy will have to bundle up or opt for a "Game of Thrones" character instead. (Organizers promise to have a coat check at the Salt Palace, but considering Salt Lake Comic Con's history of two-hour-plus lines outside the building, adding another check-in at the entrance may be problematic.)

The April alternative would end on the first day of LDS General Conference, which would mean added traffic and parking problems in downtown Salt Lake City. It's also Easter weekend, and many people may have other plans. In April, organizers say, there's also more competition for booking celebrities.

The online poll does allow a third alternative: Forget FanX, and go straight to the third Salt Lake Comic Con in September.