I went to the Kumoricon anime festival this last weekend in nearby Vancouver Washington with my nephew Hyouketsu and we had a blast.    Its main feature seemed to be the cosplay event which was very popular but had all kinds of fun stuff to do.  Live bands (The Slants and A-Key-Kyo), seminars, game room, viewing rooms, anime and manga library / reading room and a large exhibition in the parking garage. Among all the cosplayers participating at the Hilton, the room held whopping 800 spectators and the line to get in formed early and wrapped around the building .  My niece was in the cosplay event and we didn't get a chance to see her perform, but  even on her 2nd day at the event when we met her there, she still had tons of energy.  I really enjoyed all the enthusiasm and the unique costumes that everybody wore and was impressed by the hotel staff that came out and gave people refreshments who waited outside in the line.   It was very cool.

Were thinking about going to Sakura-Con in Seattle next March which seems more authentic to Japanese / Asian traditional anime and culture.  Check it out.  I heard that the prime minister of Japan is going to host the opening ceremonies.