The Day My Son Became Freddy Fazbear at Calgary Expo (and I Survived to Tell the Tale)
Ah, Calgary Expo. A magical land where comic books, cosplay, and sheer nerdy joy collide—and this year, I brought my 8-year-old son, armed with nothing but his homemade cardboard Freddy Fazbear costume and enough Five Nights at Freddy’s trivia to make grown adults question their life choices.
We rolled up to the Expo like absolute legends. And by "rolled up," I mean I was gently encouraging Freddy to stop stepping on his own cardboard feet as we made our way to the cosplay red carpet. He was a hit! People were snapping pics, giving high-fives, and one very confused man asked, “Is he a pizza box?” To which my son proudly replied, “No, I’m a bear that jumpscares security guards.” Honestly, nailed it.
After Freddy worked the red carpet like it was the Met Gala for animatronics, we hit the trade show floor. Now, if you’ve never seen a child in a cardboard suit trying to maneuver through rows of lightsabers, action figures, and vintage lunchboxes… it's like watching a Transformer shopping for groceries. Awkward but mesmerizing.
Speaking of lightsabers—yes, we caved. There’s something about your child’s eyes lighting up when they see a toy sword that glows and makes woosh noises that just screams, “Yes, this is worth the $45 you’ll regret later when they try to take it to school.”
Then came the slime. Beautiful, squishy, mysteriously glittery slime—crafted at the booth run by none other than the Alberta Ghostbusters. My kid was thrilled. “Mom, this is the best thing since Freddy Fazbear’s Pizza!” he said, while kneading neon goo and quoting Slimer like it was a Shakespearean monologue.
Now, we tried to meet Peggy. You know, Dogpool—the actual dog in a Deadpool suit. My son was ready. I was ready. But alas, the price tag of $70 for a selfie with a dog wearing spandex made me question every financial decision I’ve ever made. So instead, we waved from a respectful distance and pretended Peggy waved back. (She totally did. Probably.)
But let’s get real for a second—if you’re a parent thinking of heading to Calgary Expo with your kid, here’s what you should know:
Parent Survival Guide: Calgary Expo Edition
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Parking: Limited. Like, "prepare to walk" limited. If you’re not there early, expect to park somewhere in the next postal code and hoof it to the BMO Centre. Consider transit or ride-share if your Freddy is not the most nimble in cardboard.
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Lots of Walking: The Expo fills the entire BMO Centre, so be ready to clock some serious steps. Bring comfy shoes, hydration, and the emotional strength to carry a lightsaber and a backpack full of snack wrappers by hour two.
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Busy Trade Floor: Great for treasure hunting, not so great for kids in boxy costumes. It’s crowded, loud, and one wrong turn and Freddy’s cardboard head is brushing up against a wall of Funko Pops. Still cool—but be patient and maybe plan breaks.
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Food Options: There are food trucks outside and vendors inside serving the holy trinity of Expo food: hot dogs, burgers, fries… and cotton candy the size of your child’s head. BUT! If you want a break from the grease, skip the line and head to the 2nd floor, where you'll find slightly healthier options like chicken bowls and even charcuterie (yes, at a comic con—fancy nerds unite!).
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Cosplay Central: The 2nd floor is also where the real costume magic happens—superheroes, villains, Jedi, pirates, even the occasional inflatable dinosaur. Tons of meetups and a good spot to rest while your kid stares in awe at someone dressed as Thanos drinking an iced coffee.
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Badge System: Everyone needs to register for lanyards to make use of the Expo’s smooth tap in/tap out system. .
As we left, my son—still proudly wearing his Freddy head and clutching his slime and lightsaber—looked up at me and said, “Can we come back tomorrow?” Which is Expo-speak for: this was the best day ever!
And honestly? It was.
Candice Johnson - Afternoon Drive Host