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South Jordan Journal

Fandom Expo planned to benefit displaced children

Apr 15, 2019 11:19AM ● By Julie Slama

Paradigm Charter School will host Fandom Expo May 4. (Courtesy Paradigm Charter School)

By Julie Slama | [email protected]

Dress as Aquaman, Wonder Woman or a Ghostbuster, or grab your family and friends to come as the Incredibles or even Scooby and the gang. 

It’s Paradigm Charter School’s community Fandom Expo, which will feature movie and television actor Dante Basco, musical group Foreign Figures and sketch-comedy show Studio C among panel discussions, activities, and photo opportunities and autograph sessions.

Before the 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. expo on May 4, the event kicks off with a free 1-mile Fan Run, which includes an obstacle course, on the school grounds, 11577 South 3600 West.

“It’s a fun way to kick off the event with people dressed in costumes having fun, running,” said Mallory Woodbury, a member of the executive planning committee, which has met weekly since December to plan the event.

Fandom Expo will include local author of “The Paper Magician” series Charlie N. Holmberg, YouTube family musical group “Working with Lemons,” a 3-D printing session, Battleguard’s foam-fighting weapons, Provo’s Dry Bar Comedy, Choose Your Own Adventure, Engima’s two escape room experiences and a cosplay, where participants can dress up as their favorite movie, book or video game character to compete for prizes.

“We have something that will appeal to everyone — comedy, science fiction, music, escape rooms, celebrity guests,” Woodbury said, adding they expect upward of 2,000 to attend the event, which will offer a kid zone with dressed-up characters holding story times, coloring and other activities.

Participants can enter the expo with a one-session or two-hour $7 wristband or they can purchase an all-day pass for $18. VIP wristbands at $50 include photograph sessions with Basco and Studio C as well as preferential seating, admission into two Engima escape room experiences and a T-shirt. 

Separately, autograph sessions are $15; photographs are $20; escape rooms $5; and T-shirts $10. Any wristband purchase will be allowed into the closing concert with Foreign Figures at 4 p.m. Kids age 5 and under are free.

Registration can be found at paradigmfandomexpo.com. City Journal readers can get 25 percent off regular ticket prices with the discount code: Journal.

Proceeds are earmarked for Project Sleep Tight USA to help provide overnight totes to homeless and displaced children.

“They’re receiving some essential items such as a blanket, stuffed animal, book and a toothbrush,” Woodbury said. “Our school is founded on service and leadership. We want to provide these for kids in unfortunate situations and we liked that it ties in providing them books as we are big on literacy at our school.” 

The idea for Fandom Expo originated with choir director Joan Steinmann, and with a 10-member student, faculty and staff committee, have been meeting to plan the event for the past year.

“It’s a way for the community to be involved in a fun event and experience our school,” Woodbury said.

Paradigm Charter School, in its 15th year, has been located in South Jordan the past 10 years, teaching classical liberal arts to students in seventh through 12th grades.