"Are they like, a furry or something?"
(An actual question someone asked me)
Welcome to my website and everything you need to know about Fishbowl Fest and me! I’m Runaway Goldfish, your host, and local artist obsessed with an aquatic aesthetic. Throughout my career, I’ve designed a variety of my own products, been commissioned to do a diverse selection of graphic work and participated in markets and gallery shows from Vancouver, Canada to Portland. In the past, I have had experience working and planning different events from conventions, to music festivals, to themed fashion tea parties and I'm excited to bring to fruition an event of my own. Fishbowl Fest has been a concept I've been brewing the past few years and although all of this makes me a bit vulnerable and little nervous, I am also just as excited to have you!
If you'd like to know more, feel free to explore the website starting here. And to answer the burning question, no I am not a furry but that may be subject to change... ;)
What is Fishbowl Fest?
Simply put, where nature meets Pop-Culture.
As a filthy Millenial and creek kid of the 90s, I wanted to create a festival that brings all my favorite parts of conventions past and combine them with my love for nature (think Legend of Zelda, Studio Ghibli, Jurassic Park, Fern Gully or Pokémon).
As fans, we have an opportunity to celebrate our fandoms while celebrating the stories that honor our environment. Growing up in Federal Way I was often exploring the parks of the area while frequenting the local comic shops, book stores and arcades. I want a convention that reflects that time. I hope that as participants attend this event, you can honor the heart of this convention by making a cosplay from upcycled/recycled materials, using a reusable water bottle, or just leaving a space better than how it was before.
I understand that sometimes small acts like this can feel like drops in a bucket but this convention isn’t intended to be a purity test but as a challenge to ourselves and our community while bringing back the feeling of simple joys.
Where is Fishbowl Fest?
FWCC (Federal Way Community Center)
876 S 333rd St.Federal Way, WA 98003
The Federal Way Community Center is a less than 10 minute drive or bus ride from the Federal Way Transit Center and located in a peaceful greenbelt just steps from Celebration Park (and minutes from I-5 and major highways).
We are proud to have our event at the foremost destination for recreation in Washington state, with it's extensive array of amenities and activities including the largest public recreational pool complex in the region, featuring a top-notch six-lane lap pool for swimmers of all levels, a leisure pool with a thrilling two-story water slide, and an exciting 110-foot current channel, ensuring aquatic fun and relaxation. To learn more, visit the FWCC website: https://itallhappenshere.org/
We acknowledge that we are on the traditional homelands of the Puyallup Tribe. The Puyallup people have lived on and stewarded these lands since the beginning of time, and continue to do so today. We recognize that this land acknowledgement is one small step toward true allyship and we commit to uplifting the voices, experiences, and histories of the Indigenous people of this land and beyond.
ʔuk’ʷədiid čəł ʔuhigʷəd txʷəl tiiɫ ʔa čəɫ ʔal tə swatxʷixʷtxʷəd ʔə tiiɫ puyaləpabš. ʔa ti dxʷʔa ti swatxʷixʷtxʷəd ʔə tiiɫ puyaləpabš ʔəsɫaɫaɫlil tul’al tudiʔ tuhaʔkʷ. didiʔɫ ʔa həlgʷəʔ ʔal ti sləx̌il. dxʷəsɫaɫlils həlgʷəʔ gʷəl ƛ’uyayus həlgʷəʔ gʷəl ƛ’uƛ’ax̌ʷad həlgʷəʔ tiiɫ bədədəʔs gʷəl tix̌dxʷ həlgʷəʔ tiił ʔiišəds həlgʷəʔ gʷəl ƛ’uʔalalus həlgʷəʔ gʷəl ƛ’utxʷəlšucidəb. x̌ʷəla···b ʔə tiiɫ tuyəl’yəlabs. We gratefully honor and acknowledge that we rest on the traditional lands of the Puyallup People. The Puyallup people have lived on this land since the beginning of time. They are still here today. They live, work, raise their children, take care of their community, practice their traditional ways and speak the Twulshootseed language – just as their ancestors did. To learn more visit: https://www.puyalluptribe-nsn.gov/
We would also like to acknowledge the Federally Recognized Muckleshoot Indian Tribe, the ancestral keepers of the land we are gathered on today. We thank them for their immense contributions to our state and local, history, culture, economy, and identity as Washingtonians. To learn more about the Puyallup Tribe visit: https://www.muckleshoot.nsn.us/
Public Transit
The Federal Way Light Rail is now open!
From the newly rebuilt Federal Way Transit Center you can take a 10 min ride on DART bus 903 which will take you directly to the Federal Way Community Center. To learn more about how to use public transit visit here.
Parking
ADA and Overflow Parking Available
There is a main public parking lot in front of the community center. Because the center’s facilities will still be open during the event, please keep in mind you may be competing for a spot in this lot with the other patrons of the community center. So be sure to plan accordingly. There is a secondary lower parking lot available at the Federal Way Public Schools Educational Service Center building. There is also a drop off area at the front of the community center.
Ticketing and Badge Pick Up
Tickets Are Only Available Online
This is an all ages, family friendly event. Badge pick up will be on-site at the ticket office near the community center entrance. All tickets are purchased online only. No tickets will be sold at the door. A VIP ticket is only available to 18+ participants and ID verification will be required the day of the event and must match the name of the purchaser. You will also need to have your email address and order number ready.
Hours
* hours and scheduling may be subject to change
FWCC Hours
The community center, which is open to the public, is open from 7AM - 9PM on Saturdays. To learn more about the FWCC hours please visit their website at https://itallhappenshere.org/
VIP Hours
Ticket Office [9 AM - 3 PM]
Cosplay Judging [10AM - 4PM]
Kitchen [9:30 AM - 4 PM]
Exhibitors [9:30 AM - 4 PM]
Cosplay Courtyard [9:30 AM - 4 PM]
Artist Alley Vendor Hall [10 AM - 5 PM]
Arcade [10 AM - 6 PM]
Stage [11 AM - 6 PM]
PLUS priority seating to all panels and entertainment
Pool Party [More info coming soon]
Regular Hours
Ticketing Office [9AM - 3PM]
Cosplay Judging [10AM - 4PM]
Kitchen [10 AM - 4 PM]
Exhibitors [10 AM - 4 PM]
Cosplay Courtyard [10 AM - 4 PM]
Artist Alley Vendor Hall [11 AM - 5 PM]
Arcade [11 AM - 6 PM]
Stage [11 AM - 6 PM]
What to Expect!
Local Eats
We're lucky to have a commercial kitchen at our venue and we're excited to bring delicious food and drink from local vendors to keep you nourished throughout the day. Menu coming soon!
Exhibitors
Discover and support local established businesses and organizations within Federal Way! Interested in tabling? Join mailing list down below.
Cosplay
At the venue, there will be a "cosplay courtyard" where you will be able to take some picturesque photos with lush greenery. It is also a great space to mingle and (gasp) SOCIALIZE! Expect some lawn games and other activities available where you can play with your friends or use as an ice breaker to make some new ones! We will also have a cosplay, lip sync and skit contest available hosted and judged by local competitive cosplay veterans. Applications will be available soon. To be notified, join the mailing list down below.
Artist Alley
Free of any AI, we will be dedicating a room for local artists to show and sell their wares who also share the same sentiments in addition to a gallery wall for those looking to display larger framed works . Applications and more info coming soon! To be notifitied join the mailing list down below.
Art in General!
Be prepared to get creative and crafty! We will have a variety of artsy activities and panels for folks to participate in to spark or inspire their inner artists.
Performances and Panels Featuring... You!
Are you a seasoned performer? Or do you have knowledge you must share? Maybe, you've been workshopping a dance routine. We want to center our attendees by giving them a stage! This is also a perfect opportunity for folks to work with a smaller audience in a more intimate setting. If you have a performance or panel idea that honors the theme of festival, we would love to have you! Applications and more info coming soon! To be notifitied join the mailing list down below.
Why Fishbowl Fest?
Bringing the Con Experience To You!
This will be Fishbowl Fest’s first year. Being located in Federal Way (Washington’s 10th most populated city) we are determined to fill the need for a local anime/pop-culture convention in our area. This will allow our local artists and attendees to build the confidence to experience, practice, display or perform their art with a smaller audience. Outside of our little big city, the closest major anime conventions/pop-culture conventions are either in Seattle, Puyallup, Tacoma or Olympia.
These art conventions are perfect opportunities where people can connect and share their creations, all while selling their wares or competing and performing in cosplay. They are also great hubs for exchanging knowledge, finding community through fandoms, and building life long memories.
Our team understands that going into a large convention can be overwhelming, expensive, tiring, intimidating or maybe even inaccessible especially to first timers. At Fishbowl Fest, through radical inclusion, we would love to be a space where folks can participate on a smaller scale and bring that magic to our city.
We believe art can be enjoyed with minimal environmental impact and everyone should be able to feel included.
We hope to do that by:
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Participation, community, and cultivating knowledge
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Supporting and celebrating local diversity and radical Inclusion
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Instilling creative confidence and banning exploitive AI
How to Support the Event
Sponsor
With your help, any-fin is possible! We are now seeking sponsors for the event!
Benefits include affordable and mutually beneficial marketing packages, event perks and the warm fuzzy feeling you get knowing you're better than everyone else because you were a year one sponsor. To learn more join the mailing list down below.
Attend, Participate
Showing up is the ultimate way of supporting this festival. With out you, it would be, literally, so awkward.
Purchase Merch
Event themed merch will be available soon and with every purchase, 100% of proceeds will go towards creating an even better and more accessible event the following year. We are also looking forward to collaborating with local businesses and artists.
Donate
The stories are true. This event is, in fact, a self-funded event. If you look back at my history as an artist, you'll know community stewardship is something I'm passionate about. With that said, I would never ask for a donation but if you find my mission a worthy cause, you are more than welcome to do so here.
Volunteer
Whether its wanting to learn how to do something similar, or wanting the chance to work with local businesses, or maybe you want to work alongside working artists; we have opportunities for you! Volunteers also receive day of perks, discounts and other benefits. Applications coming soon! To be notified, join the mailing list down below.
Share!
Tell your friends, family, your classmates, your co-workers, and maybe that one guy who likes to sing about jellyfish jelly (Spongebob reference). The more folks who know about our event, the more we uplift the participating artists and the more lively the event becomes.
Join the Email List!
Get notified on the latest updates!
Are you interested in participating in this event or want to stay up to date on the latest news? Put "Fishbowl Fest 2027" in the subject line and let me know what you're most excited about in the message box down below.