Kids go free to FanCon.
For families in the city, that takes a financial pinch off of attending the most all-ages, all-stages kind of event that Prince George does. Northern FanCon is one of those events that has its own internal economy, with the merchant items and art and activities and photo opportunities and autographs that are for sale inside. But it is also a place tailored for added value. Once you're inside, it's a wonderland of sights and sounds and experiences all for no extra charge, and kids get to enter that magical world, thanks to a particular donation by Kristine Newell of Team Powerhouse Realty.
This is the second year in a row Newell has taken care of the kids' tickets. She was in a casual conversation with event coordinator Norm Coyne, the idea came up organically and became an immediate action plan.
"It was a conversation we had right about fair time (the BCNE) and I was thinking about how important events like the fair and FanCon are, overall, to our city, but how there were still barriers," Newell said. "I just thought about how I know what it's like to be a working mom, you want your kids to take part in community things, you want them to be engaged little people, have fun like kids are supposed to do, and show them the exciting things going on in their community that makes this a great place to live. But I know very well how hard it is to make ends meet, and I saw this as a way to take some of that burden away. It just helps on so many levels, because it brings people through the doors of FanCon, and this town really needs to support this event because of what it means to tourism and family activity and our local economy, but it also means a lot to a kid to take in all the amazing things that go on at this event, an event that is like none other anywhere near here."
Newell added to the fun by making the free kids' tickets a physical thing, not just a wave-through at the gate. Like so many Charlies excited about Willy Wonka's chocolate factory, there is an actual ticket out there for them.
"I dropped off a bundle to every school in city limits and I even drove out to Giscome Elementary which is a little drive I highly recommend," she said. "I've been putting some in people's mailbox, I have them at my office where they can be picked up, and we're trying to make sure every child gets one."
Newell said her own son was bouncing with excitement when his class got their packet of tickets, "so that's really sweet and shows how important FanCon is for kids, and what these experiences mean to kids, because he was so excited."
Newell will also have a booth at FanCon with family fun built into her display. The public is invited to swing by and say hello and say thanks in person to every FanCon kid's fairy godmother.
