Yama-Con is an annual three-day anime convention with multigenre elements held during November/December at the LeConte Center in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee.[1][4] Yama-Con's name comes from the Japanese word for mountain, "Yama."[4]
Programming
The convention typically offers an Artists' Alley, ball, concerts, costume contests, dances, exhibits, game rooms, gaming tournaments, karaoke, Maid/Butler Cafe, replicas, vendor space, and workshops.[1][4][5][6] The 2015 and 2016 charity auction benefited Pets Without Parents, and in 2015 raised $2,800.[6]
History
The first event at the Smoky Mountain Convention Center in 2012 was held in December due to the month having few other conventions.[5] Yama-Con used hotel rooms for their Video Gaming areas and tents for event space in 2013.[7] Complaints occurred due to the use of tents in the cold and wet weather.[7] The convention moved to the LeConte Center in Pigeon Forge in 2014 due to outgrowing its old space.[1][4] Yama-Con located its programming for adults 18 and up at the Smoky Mountain Convention Center in 2016.[6] Yama-Con 2020 was cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic.[8][9] The convention had a dress code for 2021.[10]
Manda Bear, Martin Billany, Johnny Yong Bosch, Dr3amland, Jo Envel, Eyeshine, Gavin Goszka, James "Doodle" Lyle, Larry Mainland, The Man Power, Mike McFarland, Jim O'Rear, Project: Leviathan, Sean Schemmel, Paul St. Peter, Sonny Strait, Sonya Thompson, Scott West, Greg Wicker,[12] Cosplay Kasterborous, Tom Nguyen, and Jamie Tyndall.[7]
December 5-7, 2014
LeConte Center at Pigeon Forge Pigeon Forge, Tennessee
LeConte Center at Pigeon Forge Pigeon Forge, Tennessee
Robert Axelrod, Johnny Yong Bosch, Chalk Twins, Charlet Chung, Eyeshine, Barbara Goodson, Kyle Hebert, James "Doodle" Lyle, Larry Mainland, Professor Shyguy, Stephen J. Semones, Seraphina, Paul St. Peter, Eric Stuart, Sonya Thompson, David Vincent, Vitamin H Productions, and Scott West.[14]
December 1-3, 2017
LeConte Center at Pigeon Forge Pigeon Forge, Tennessee
Johnny Yong Bosch, Chalk Twins, Leah Clark, Cosplay, Inc., Cynthia Cranz, Eyeshine, Ghostbusters, Aki Glancy, Todd Haberkorn, Haiden Hazard, Chuck Huber, Kazha, James "Doodle" Lyle, Larry Mainland, Shawn McCauley, PikaFreakRachel, Derek Stephen Prince, Professor Shyguy, Stephen J. Semones, Paul St. Peter, Sonya Thompson, Vitamin H Productions, Vocamerica, and Scott West.[15]
November 30 - December 2, 2018
LeConte Center at Pigeon Forge Pigeon Forge, Tennessee