G-FEST Cancelled Until 2022

Above, J. D. Lees and actor Akira Takarada at G-FEST XXVI in 2019. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

The casualty list of events cancelled this year is starting.

G-FEST, which was scheduled for this summer, has been cancelled.

Here's the announcement:

When G-FEST had to be cancelled in 2020, we all had high hopes for a rebound the following summer. However, with great regret, the G-FEST Organizing Committee has announced that the convention will not take place in 2021. The continued prevalence of COVID-19 across the country has resulted in anti-COVID restrictions persisting much longer than everyone had hoped.

According to public health forecasts and vaccination timetables, it’s virtually certain that conditions will make it impossible to safely stage G-FEST this coming summer. G-FEST requires months of lead time for planning and preparing, processing registrations, creating displays, organizing the convention schedule and program, making travel arrangements and securing translators for foreign guests, and many, many other considerations. The participants in the convention, from vendors to attendees, all require a great deal of lead time for planning and preparation. With time for proper preparation running out, we didn’t want to keep G-FEST supporters in doubt any longer. Our venue, the Hyatt Regency O’Hare, has agreed with our conclusion.

This is very sad news for everyone that loves the special weekend of camaraderie that G-FEST has provided for so long. It’s especially hard on the youngsters and the special needs kids and their families, for whom G-FEST has become such an anticipated time of the year. However, offering a safe environment according to government regulations is a paramount consideration.

The idea of a “virtual G-FEST” has been discussed on social media. G-FEST’s primary attraction is the opportunity to actually get together with other G-fans and to shop, discuss, play video games, watch movies, see models and art, receive instruction and experience with moviemaking and prop/costume building, meet famous people, etc., etc., etc. IN PERSON. That’s the essence of G-FEST. For that reason, there will be no official online version of G-FEST. A “virtual G-FEST” just wouldn’t be G-FEST. However, no doubt many on-line kaiju-themed events will take place over the summer, and we encourage G-fans to participate and keep the kaiju spirit burning brightly.

We thank everyone for their patience and understanding throughout this difficult process. We are all looking forward to beginning the planning for G-FEST in 2022, about which further details will be coming soon. The disappointments we’ve all experienced have only made us more determined than ever to create a tremendous celebration when we all can be reunited next summer.

Above, Jessica Tseang and yours truly at G-FEST XXVI. Photo by Steve Ryfle.

Well, at this point, all we can do is keep our fingers crossed that the coronavirus is vanquished and G-FEST will be held in 2022.