Quidditch Takes Off At C2E2
Editor's Note: The following story was written by Shayla Johnson who represented the IQA at C2E2. The IQA plans to attend several other conventions this year, including MISTI-Con this weekend, LeakyCon Portland and London, New York Comic Con and RI Comic Con. If you're interested in volunteering at any of these events, either as an individual or with your team, please email IQA Conventions Manager, Kristina Moy. The IQA is also still looking for Conventions Coordinators to run these shows too! More info can be found on the open volunteer positions page.
Photos by Shayla Johnson
Two weeks ago, the IQA returned to the Chicago Comic and Entertainment Expo (C2E2) for the third straight year, hosting numerous quidditch related programs for those in attendance.and generating high turnout from both new and old spectators.
This year, the IQA had a prime location in the convention's Interactive Room directly across from the show floor, where teams led mock games throughout the weekend. These players also helped run the fan booth on the show floor. The booth, where the IQA asked trivia questions and gave out quidditch-themed swag, was a popular spot for attendees. Teams from Elmhurst College (Elmhurst, IL), Purdue University (West Lafayette, IN), and Loyola University Chicago (Chicago, IL) put on demonstrations for the crowd, before allowing attendees to take the pitch and give the game a try.
“It was amazing, getting to promote something I feel so passionate about to so many people. I can't wait to do it again next year and get even more people interested!” explained Anne Pluchar from Loyola, who was attending C2E2 for the first time.
Photo by Shayla Johnson
While the adult demonstrations were popular events, the IQA's Sunday programming for the convention's Kids' Day drew in over 200 children, who took turns learning the rules at various training stations before being sorted into groups for gameplay. This year's kidditch event nearly doubled in size from the previous year. With help from the college players, games were extremely successful and many kids came back later to play even more quidditch. Many veteran players who had been in attendance at C2E2 in 2012 or 2011 also returned.
“I thought that the people who came were really into it. They wanted to be there and it showed,” says Gilbert Botham of Loyola, who was also attending the convention for the first time.
The last event of the weekend was scheduled to be a demonstration, but there were so many spectators that a few kidditch games and several adult games were played instead. Both kids and adults quickly picked up the sport and did not want to stop playing as the day was coming to an end.
“Quidditch was a big hit this year and there were way more children and spectators who wanted to participate...than any year before. It seems to grow in popularity each year we are here,” said Luke Brictson, who was in attendance for his third year in a row.
Photos by Shayla Johnson
