Erie Anime Fest Return Date Delayed Due to Location Change

The return for the Erie Anime Fest, which was originally scheduled for August 15, 2026, has been delayed to Saturday, October 10, 2026. The reason isn’t just a simple homecoming; it’s due to a major level up for the convention. This will take place a week after the Cleveland Anime Fest, which is scheduled the week prior, and Drillimation will also appear. Previously, all Erie Anime Fest events took place at the Quality Inn south of Interstate 90.

For the past two years, Erie Anime Fest was synonymous with the Quality Inn south of Interstate 90, serving as a vital home for Drillimation’s early convention appearances, though it was often a tight squeeze. The organizer cited an increase in interest in the event, and the small space wouldn’t be enough to handle all those visitors. From this point onwards, Anime Fest will move to the Ambassador Banquet and Conference Center, which is located north of Interstate 90, and will provide more space for vendors to sell their artwork.

This experience will move away from the cramped quarters of the Quality Inn to a layout more similar to the Anime Fests in Pittsburgh and Niagara Falls. The new venue will handle a larger influx of fans without the bottleneck issues experienced at the Quality Inn.

This return to Erie is particularly significant given the current landscape of regional conventions. As noted in the March 2026 Monthly Digest released a few weeks back, Pokékon has been aggressively expanding and shoving Anime Fest out of its traditional slots. Now, it has taken over the two cities mentioned. The Erie event will stand as a vital stronghold for the original Anime Fest. This will be Drillimation’s first show in the city in over a year and a half, making it the primary venue for the company to reconnect with its hometown’s community.

As a result of the long hiatus since their last appearance in March of last year, Drillimation will bring their most significant updates yet, including their latest projects, and interactivity via the Steam Deck. With both the Cleveland and Erie Anime Fests taking place in back-to-back weekends, it will be the first time Drillimation will exhibit at two Anime Fests in a single calendar month.