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S.D. (Dakota News Now) – A new convention hopes to bring together gamers, collectors, and families for a full day of free entertainment while creating what organizers hope will become a new annual tradition in Sioux Falls
The first-ever Izzi’s Con will take place July 18 from 10:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. at the Sioux Falls Convention Center. Inspired by the atmosphere of larger Comic-Con events, the convention will feature inflatables, gaming tournaments, trading card competitions, vendors, crafts, face painting, a reptile exhibit, dancing demonstrations, and more
Admission is free, with tickets available at Izzi’s Gym
Organizers said they’ve already distributed about 12,000 free tickets in hopes of filling the convention center
Christopher Hamze, the brother of the owner of Izzi’s Gym, said making the event accessible to everyone, especially children, was a priority
“There’s a lot of kids who, you know, 5 or 10 dollars is too much for them to even afford, so we really want to give anyone who wants it a free fun day,” Hamze said
Visitors can expect five large inflatables, Beyblade competitions, card games and collectibles featuring titles like Pokémon and One Piece, retro gaming, vendors, and hands-on activities throughout the day
“We’ll have inflatables; we’ll have 5 big inflatables. We have a reptile exhibit, we have people teaching people how to dance, face painting, and all sorts of free fun activities. We have BeyBlade, and card games, and a vendor area; we have crafts; it’s just a full fun day of free fun,” Hamze said
While the event focuses on children, organizers said there will be activities for every generation
“It’s for everyone,” Hamze said. “Obviously the kids is the focus for me, but obviously you know there’s a lot of things for adults to do you know obviously we have the vendor area, we have the card tournaments, we have five retro gaming guys coming that we’re really excited about so there’s stuff for everyone to do, but obviously we’re focused on getting the kids there to have fun so.”
Angel Avila, Izzi’s Gym social media manager and head Beyblade organizer, said the goal is to bring the excitement of major conventions to Sioux Falls without the travel costs
“You gotta fly to go to those places or drive and pay all this money to go for a few days to do that, when now it’s here in your hometown, and we’ve got our own little slice, but it’s Izzi style,” Avila said
Sixteen-year-old Izzi’s Gym regular Carter Berlinger said he believes the event’s variety will appeal to families of all ages
“I know people in the daycare who we’re close with have talked about bringing their kids in 2nd grade,” Berlinger said. “I know people who have even talked about bringing their grandparents; it’s just, it’s for everyone. They have something for everyone here at the store and at Izzi’s Con.”
If attendance is strong, organizers said Izzi’s Con could become an annual event
“Yeah, I mean if people show up we’ll definitely do it!” Hamze said with a big laugh
He encouraged anyone curious to give it a try
“Just try it, you know, come on out, you know I guarantee you’re going to get what you pay for haha, but we’re definitely excited, and we just want people to come out, hang out, you definitely won’t be disappointed to come,” Hamze said
“There’s so much stuff on the list, so all you have to do is come to Izzi’s Gym, get your free tickets and be there on July 18th, and after the 18th, you have the best place in town to be at, right here at Izzi’s Gym in Sioux Falls,” Avila said
Izzi’s Con will be held Saturday, July 18, from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. at the Sioux Falls Convention Center. Admission is free, and organizers said the event is open to all ages
More information about Izzi’s Con can be found here and on Izzi’s Gym’s Facebook page here
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