Once a year,
the Hyatt-Regency Hotel in Columbus, Ohio becomes a haven for Japanese culture,
loud music, and colorful costumes galore. Men and women of all ages stand in
line for over two hours to get their passes into the weekend event known as
Ohayocon, a convention that celebrates Japanese entertainment.
Since 2004,
Ohayocon has been held in the Hyatt-Regency Hotel, housing 3042 people in that
year and growing every year after. As of 2012, Ohayocon attendance had hit a
record high of 12,198, over 4 times the 2004 numbers.
According to
director of rooms at the Hyatt-Regency, Mike Kiesel, attendees sell out the
rooms yearly, keeping the staff on their toes as convention-goers walk, talk,
visit special attractions called panels, and socialize amongst their peers.
"It's basically all-hands-on-deck all weekend," Kiesel said.
"There's always going to be demand for conventions like this."
San Khon, a
regular convention-goer, said that Ohayocon is first and foremost a social
event, a weekend of fun and relaxation, where people interested in Japanese
entertainment and culture can display their creative skills through dressing in
costume (known amongst convention-goers as "cosplay"), and meeting
new friends. "Cosplay is a talking
point," Khon said, "whether it's going up to people to tell them you
like their costume or the character they're portraying, or taking pictures of
them."
"Asking
someone why they cosplay is a lot like asking an artist what art means to
them," Khon said when asked why he does it. "Everyone does it for a
different reason, but at the end of the day it's all part of the
experience."
However,
that is not to discount the other attractions of Ohayocon, such as the musical
guests, the collection of vendors selling imported merchandise, and the
round-the-clock panels detailing facets of the subculture that has formed
around Japanese entertainment. People from all over the world come to Ohayocon
to discuss their areas of expertise, whether it be music, art, animation, video
games, or something else entirely.
As for the
event's staying power, six-year Ohayocon veteran Alex Timmons doesn't see it
going anywhere any time soon. "Every time I see more and more people who
have never been to a convention or Ohayocon before."
In
conclusion, Ohayocon has been a Columbus staple for many years and looks like
it will be for years to come. With guests, costumes, and attractions, it is an
experience unlike many others. Whether one comes for the social aspect, the
special attractions, the merchandise, or the experience as a whole, Ohayocon
has carved its own niche into Columbus, a niche that doesn't seem to be fading
any time soon.
No comments:
Post a Comment