Education and Entertainment Collide at First Annual Pop Culture Convention
The first-ever Big Easy Con by Leftfield Media, is New Orleans’s three-day pop culture convention, and organizers are proud to present inclusive programming for all ages, including Big Easy Jr. The family-focused pavilion powered by the Toy Association takes over part of the show floor at the Ernest N. Morial Convention Center Friday, November 1 to Sunday, November 3. Providing hours of fun with entertaining and educational programs including interactive workshops with characters from hit shows, costume parades, art sessions, and an entire stage dedicated to kids programming, Big Easy Jr is a not-to-miss family fun experience. Full details on the activities can be found at www.bigeasycon.com/big-easy-con-jr. Tickets to Big Easy Con include access to Big Easy Jr and are available at www.bigeasycon.com. As a special treat, children 2 and under are admitted for free and kids ages 3 to 10 are only $7.50 for a limited time.
“The Toy Association is excited to bring Big Easy Jr to this inaugural Big Easy Con. We are adding entertainment, engagement, and fun for families in the New Orleans area,” said Marian Bossard, executive vice president of global market events at The Toy Association. “Parents and children of all ages will have the chance to learn and grow together while making memories during this one-of-a-kind weekend.”
Families attending Big Easy Jr will find its inaugural, dedicated all-ages area with programming on all three days of the event. Kids will love screenings from DreamWorks’ Spirit: Spirit: Riding Free and She-Ra, a live animal conservation showcase, and will uncover exciting, educational presentations from Athletes Without Borders, PaintJam, the Louisiana Ghostbusters and more.
Big Easy Jr has teamed up with DC Comics and Tubby & Coo’s Mid-City Book Shop to create a mega fun “Reading is Magic” program with activities all month, and will recognize participants at Big Easy Con during a special celebration. Every participant will receive a free weekend kid’s pass to the event along with a discount code for regular passes.
PROGRAM HIGHLIGHTS
Kids Costume Parade
Kids will have the chance to strut their stuff and show off over-the-top outfits at the costume parade inside Big Easy Jr. Entry is limited to the first 30 registrants.
- Date: Sunday, November 3
- Time: 12:00pm
Free Artist Sketches
Would your child like a sketch of Mickey Mouse drawn by a real Disney artist? How about a doodle of Batman or Harley Quinn from a DC Comics illustrator? Stop by the Meet & Greet area in Big Easy Jr during the scheduled “Free Artist Sketch” times and kids can request a free sketch to keep.
- Sandy Jarrell (DC Comics, Archie Comics)
- Date: Friday, November 1
- Time: 4:00pm
- Clinton Hobart (Licensed Disney artist)
- Date: Sunday, November 3
- Time: 2:00pm
- Steve Lieber (Marvel Comics) and more!
- Date: Sunday, November 3
- Time: 3:00pm
Wildlife Discovery with National Wildlife Federation
Meet celebrity naturalist David Mizejewski of the National Wildlife Federation as he hosts an amazing wildlife showcase with the Audubon Nature Institute. He will be appearing at Big Easy Con along with some incredible wildlife to delight both kids and adults alike!
- Date: Saturday, November 2
- Time: 1:00pm – 1:30pm
Authors Vernon Smith, Tiger Chaplain, and Z.W. Mohr
Young fans can meet local children’s authors, Vernon Smith, Tiger Chaplain, and Z.W. Mohr, who will be at the convention all weekend long. Gather round and listen while three local children’s authors enchant the Kid’s Stage with live readings of their stories. Love fairytales? Mohr will be available to help make up your very own story.
- Vernon Smith
- Date: Friday, November 1 & Saturday, November 2
- Time: Friday at 4:00pm & Saturday at 11:30am
- Tiger Chaplain
- Date: Friday, November 1 & Saturday, November 2
- Time: Friday at 4:30pm & Saturday at 2:00pm
- Z.W. Mohr
- Date: Saturday, November 2 & Sunday, November 3
- Time: Saturday at 12:00pm & Sunday at 1:30pm
How to Be Spidey
With all the additions to the Spider-Verse there is many young Spideys in training. Join Spidey-Team as they give a crash course on the inner-workings of being a Spidey, from teamwork to important stretches, kids will have the opportunity to learn it all.
PaintJam
Paint, brushes, canvas. What he does with them is nothing short of amazing! Watch as his creations take form in minutes right before your eyes! Get ready for PaintJam!
Capoeira & Fencing Demonstrations
Curious about alternative sports such as fencing or the Afro-Brazilian martial art of Capoeira? Watch incredible demonstrations on the Kid’s Stage from Athletes Without Borders and see what all their cool virtual reality (VR) activities are all about.
Ghostbusters Training
Throughout the weekend, attendees who make it to Big Easy Jr will be able to take part in an interactive team training with the Louisiana Ghostbusters. Who you gonna call? How about yourself! Learn the finer points of bustin’ ghosts from some serious experts, “Make Your Own Ectoplasm” slime on the Kid’s stage and be sure to stop by the Ecto-1 vehicle!
Tickets to Big Easy Con are available at www.bigeasycon.com, where exciting programming updates will be posted before the convention.