Sun City SciFi is a relatively new convention in town, but don’t let that fool you—the coordinators have been involved with various conventions in other cities. Now they’re using their connections and talent to bring to the borderland a convention that they call “for the fans, by the fans.”
Sun City SciFi was founded in 2012 by the Puhlmans—a family with a love for conventions who have been in the business for more than 12 years.
This is the second year that the convention will take place in El Paso. Although this one is still relatively new to the city, they’ve managed to accomplish a lot in a short amount of time, including a partnership with the El Paso Convention Center and a kick-starter grant from the city.
“I just love the atmosphere of conventions. It’s a bunch of people who are all there because they are a fan of one thing or another, and I must say I’ve met some of the most interesting people at cons,” said Ean Puhlman, the promoter and organizer of Sun City SciFi, and the son of one of the convention’s founders. “Cons are just a great experience for everyone and I highly recommend that you attend at least one convention.”
Puhlman and his family have attended cons for a very long time as both attendees and vendors. As a result of this, he feels they are more in touch with what fans want to see in a convention and what kind of things vendors prefer.
“We encourage feedback and ideas from our attendees. In fact we have a panel at the very end of the convention called Cheer and Jeers,” he said. “Basically it gives attendees the opportunity to have their voices heard. They can tell us what they liked about the con or what they didn’t like. So I think that’s what really sets us apart.”
This will be the first year Sun City SciFi will take place at the El Paso Convention Center. Since the location is much larger than last year’s venue and the convention will be accommodating more events, panels and celebrity guests, the promoters and organizers are anticipating a much larger crowd.
Jasmine Arenivar, senior art education major, said she is excited about attending Sun City SciFi.
“You get to know people who are nerdy like you!.” Arenivar said. “The conventions are getting bigger, things like this really bring people together and I’m really excited to meet the voice actors at this year’s convention.”
Sun City SciFi has also partnered with the Moral Welfare and Recreation program and the Better Opportunities for Single Soldiers program. Both organizations are dedicated to assisting and providing opportunities for military personnel. Special military rates are being offered to military members and their families.
This year’s lineup includes more than 70 vendors, 30 artists, 15 celebrity guests and local artists. A few celebrity guests include: Esme Bianco, who is cast as Ros in HBO’s “Game of Thrones,” Phil LaMarr cast member of “Mad TV,” the voice of Hermes in the “Futurama” series and Marvin in the film “Pulp Fiction,” and Rikki Simons, who is known for his voice work as the robot Gir in the “Invader Zim” series.
April Delaney, art education freshman, is volunteering to help with the convention this year.
“I’ve always wanted to volunteer at a con, it looks like fun,” she said. “Also, it’s one of those classic nerdy conventions. I love it.”
Jarenny Santiesteban, mechanical engineering freshman and a member of the Anime Appreciation Society of El Paso at UTEP, is also volunteering at the convention.
“It seems like it’s going to be fun. I’ve never been to Sun City SciFi, but I have attended conventions before. I’m excited to volunteer and see what this convention is like,” he said.
Sun City SciFi will take place March 14- 16. General admission tickets in advance are $20 and weekend passes are $35. If you choose to pay at the door, general admission will be $25 and weekend passes will be $40. Military, senior and student discounts are available. Children under 12 get in for free with an adult ticket purchase and there will be an onsite day care.
“We have lots of big plans for the future of Sun City Scifi. We hope to continue expanding and bringing bigger name celebrities,” Puhlman said. “We are very excited about staying in Downtown El Paso and being part of the continued growth of entertainment industry downtown. Also we hope to add more single day events like Bobafest during the year.”
Tickets may be purchased online at Ticketmaster, at the Plaza Theatre box office, or directly from individuals involved with the convention.
For giveways and a full schedule of events, tournaments, screenings and panels, visit SunCitySciFi.com or follow SunCity SciFi on Facebook.
Lesly Limon can be reached at [email protected].
