Conventions for Fans
Whatever team, show, or celebrity you are a fan of, it is likely there is a convention for you to attend. Here are resources for locating some of the most popular fan conventions out there.
Anime
Fans of anime and manga (Japanese cartoons and comic books) often call themselves otaku, Japanese for "fan." If you count yourself among the otaku, you can find a convention near you by visiting AnimeCons.com. This site has the latest news and schedules for anime conventions, as well as a feature that allows you to search for guests, if you are trying to track down a particular artist or writer.
Comics
Some of the liveliest conventions in all of fandom are comic cons, where you will find elaborately dressed proponents of DC, Marvel and everything in between. Go to Comic-Con.org to find out about all the major comics conventions, such as WonderCon in San Francisco. They all lead up to the big event: Comic Con itself, in San Diego. If you have a passion for anything comics related, including superhero movies, don't miss it.
Pro Wrestling
Many fans of pro wrestling call themselves "smarks," or smart marks. They know the events are staged, but appreciate the athleticism and theatricality of the performers. To put it another way, they believe that pro wrestling isn't fake, it's just fixed.
One of the biggest conventions for wrestling fans is NWA Wrestling Legends Fanfest Weekend in Atlanta, Georgia. Legendary wrestlers, like Ron Garvin (a long-time opponent of "Nature Boy" Ric Flair) stop in and mingle with fans. There is also WrestleReunion, also in Atlanta. The theme this year is "Curtain Call for Bruno," in which Bruno Sammartino will step into the ring one last time.
Tabletop Gaming
Board games could fall into this category, but more often the term "tabletop gaming" refers to fantasy-related games using painted models, like Warhammer. Tabletop gamers have their choice of many conventions, including OshCon in Oshkosh, Wisconsin. A nearly complete list of tabletop gaming conventions in the United States is available from Steve Jackson Games.
Twilight
The teen vampire series has so many fans that it also has its own touring convention. TwilightConvention.com will let you know when the official Twilight convention (like the traveling circus) comes to your town. Residents of Arlington, Nashville, and Parsippany, New Jersey, watch out! You might, like Bella in the movies, find yourself having to choose between Edward in a black turtleneck and Jacob in cutoff jean shorts.