It’s almost July, and that means summer is in full swing! Read on for our preview of the fandom events, festivals, and concerts coming your way, and prepare for a month filled with fun in the sun!
Northeast
Harley-Davidson New York Short Track Weedsport Speedway, Weedsport, NY – July 7, 2018
Making its only 2018 New York appearance, American Flat Track will hit Weedsport Speedway on July 7th with the speed and excitement fans of all ages have come to expect! This cozy and compact track provides great views of the action from any vantage point. Get your tickets today, and witness the AFT Twins and Singles rumble at this beautiful track in the New York countryside for the very first time!
Replay FX David L. Lawrence Convention Center, Pittsburgh, PA – July 26-29, 2018
Calling all pinball wizards and retro gamers! Make your way to Pittsburgh this July for the return of The Greatest Arcade in the Universe: Replay FX. Game fanatics and casual players alike will gather in Pittsburgh’s David L. Lawrence Convention Center for another weekend of fun, games, and nostalgia. ReplayFX is presented by the Replay Foundation, which dedicates its efforts toward the preservation, restoration, and enjoyment of pinball and video game technology. Offering something for everyone, from arcade and pinball games, to tabletop games, and so much more, why delay? Reserve your tickets today!
Pines Party Fire Island Pines, NY – July 27-29, 2018
Prepare to celebrate 20 years of Pines Party this July, New York! Beneficiaries of this annual event include The Pines Foundation, a nonprofit dedicated to preserving, protecting and enhancing the quality of life in the environmentally-sensitive community of Fire Island Pines, and the Stonewall Community Foundation, one of the leading public foundations focused on the needs of the LGBTQ community. Featuring five parties with world renowned DJs (including an all night beach party), this is one weekend you won’t want to miss!
South
SharkCon Florida Fair Grounds, Tampa, FL – July 14-15, 2018
Mix education with environmental conservation at SharkCon! This family-friendly convention is filled with entertainment for attendees of all ages. Scientists, conservationists, and even speakers from Shark Week will come together to provide the ultimate aquatic experience, all while teaching attendees about the dangers pollution and other human activities pose to shark populations worldwide. Be sure to get your tickets in advance, and dive head-first into this year’s SharkCon!
Folkmoot Festival Various Locations, The Mountains of Western NC – July 19-29, 2018
An international folk festival welcoming people from around the world to the mountains of Western North Carolina, Folkmoot returns this July with yet another incredible lineup of performances and events. At its core, Folkmoot is a cultural exchange designed to build global relationships, foster cultural understanding, and develop community prosperity. Reserve your tickets today, and prepare to experience all the exhibitions, concerts, and dancing you can handle!
BlerDCon Hyatt Crystal City, Arlington, VA – July 27-29, 2018
BlerDCon celebrates the subset of black nerd (blerd) culture by creating a marketplace of ideas in an inclusive environment. Making its way to the DC area this July, BlerDCon features a weekend full of panels, cosplay, and gaming tournaments, plus an amazing, diverse lineup of special guests and celebrities. Have you ever wanted to make connections with like-minded fans of some of your favorite comics, movies, and shows, and maybe even meet a member of Wakanda’s Dora Milaje? Then BlerDCon 2018 is the place for you!
Midwest
Omaha Beer Fest Horsemen’s Park, Omaha, NE – July 6-7, 2018
Featuring hundreds of American craft beers, over 70 breweries, Beer Academy sessions on Friday and Saturday, a VIP Lounge, festival games, food vendors, and so much more, Omaha Beer Fest returns this July for its eighth year! And this festival isn’t just about the brews; your attendance supports Parent Project Muscular Dystrophy, an organization leading the fight to end Duchenne, the most devastating form of muscular dystrophy. So reserve your tickets today, and prepare to raise a glass for a good cause!
Bristol Renaissance Faire Kenosha, WI – July 7-September 3, 2018
See why it was voted “Best Renaissance Faire” for the seventh consecutive year in 2017 when the Bristol Renaissance Faire returns next Saturday, July 7! For nine weekends through Labor Day, experience live music, crafts and unique wares, delicious food and drink, and of course, daring feats of renaissance action! Plus, on July 28 and 29 you’ll be able to experience RennCon, welcoming cosplayers of all genres for a convention experience like nothing you’ve ever seen before. Why wait? Reserve your tickets today!
Festival of Sail Sandusky Jackson Street Pier, Sandusky, OH – July 12-15, 2018
Festival of Sail makes port in Sandusky, OH this July, providing a rare chance to catch a glimpse, step aboard, and even set sail on some of the grandest ships of yore! This huge, nautical festival will feature ship tours, day sails, educational programming, food and beverage, entertainment, and fun for the entire family. Not to mention, you’ll also get to enjoy the company of the World’s Largest Rubber Duck. Reserve your tickets today, and prepare to set sail!
Guthrie’s River Ruckus Guthrie County Fairgrounds, Guthrie Center, IA – July 27-28, 2018
Guthrie’s River Ruckus is bringing Iowans another weekend of camping, good fun, and great music! This year’s performers include Jake Owen, .38 Special, Chris Janson, plus so many more! If you haven’t already, be sure to get your camping pass and your admission tickets and prepare for the ruckus to begin!
West
Anisong World Matsuri at Anime Expo Microsoft Theater, Los Angeles, CA – July 4-7, 2018
Anisong World Matsuri brings some of the most popular Japanese anisong performers to audiences around the world, and this July you can witness these concerts in person for the third consecutive year at Anime Expo! The term “anisong” refers to songs included in Japanese anime series, and this year’s lineup is filled with talent! Artists including Aqours, Aimer, Yuki Kajiura, AKB48 Team 8, and many more will be gracing the stage July 4, 6, and 7. Anime Expo attendees, be sure to reserve your Anisong World Matsuri tickets in advance!
A$AP Ferg Rockwell @ The Complex, Salt Lake City, UT – July 11, 2018
Salt Lake City’s Rockwell @ The Complex welcomes A$AP Ferg’s Mad Man Tour this July, and this is one show you won’t want to miss. The Harlem-born rapper has received consistently positive reactions from fans and critics alike since his 2013 debut album, Trap Lord. Having just released two new songs, “Verified” and “Not the Boy,” Ferg is sure to hit the Rockwell stage with some fresh material. Act quickly to reserve your tickets today!
Pikes Peak or Bust Rodeo Norris Penrose Event Center, Colorado Springs, CO – July 11-14, 2018
Witness top talent in professional rodeo at the 78th annual Pikes Peak or Bust Rodeo! This invitational event will feature 32 champion cowboys and cowgirls from across the country, competing in events including bareback, saddle bronc, bull riding, tie-down roping, steer wrestling, team roping, and barrel racing. Plus, be sure to catch the Gold Buckle Championship Round on Saturday night, where the top eight scores and eight fastest times from the qualifying performances lay it all on the line for over $200,000 in prize money!