Just a week after announcing the acquisition of Pittsburgh Comicon, Wizard World Inc. has added another event to its rapidly expanding roster -- the awkwardly named Wizard World Comic Con Presents Fan Fest Chicago.

Set for March 7-8 at the Donald E. Stephens Convention Center in Rosemont, Illinois (longtime location of Wizard World Chicago), Fan Fest Chicago is billed as "a 'thank you' to loyal Wizard World fans."

The admission price for Fan Fest Chicago will be considerably less expensive than most Wizard World conventions, at $25 for the weekend or $15 for either day. Additionally, those who have purchased VIP or four-day passes to the Aug. 20-23 Wizard World Chicago will be admitted for free to Fan Fest.

“The Wizard World Comic Con Presents Fan Fest Chicago is a great way for us to give back to the fans,” Wizard World CEO John Macaluso said in a statement. “We appreciate so much their having made Wizard World Comic Con Chicago the biggest show in the Midwest that we have put together a low-cost, high-energy show for all to enjoy.”

Wizard World has been criticized in the past for scheduling conventions close to existing nearby events, but the March 7-8 dates seem to mostly avoid any conflicts -- although Indiana Comic Con is being held the following weekend in Indianapolis, about three hours away. ReedPOP's Chicago Comic and Entertainment Expo is a little more than a month later, April 24-26.

Update: The Beat notes Wizard World originally had the venue booked for March 7-8 for Bruce Campbell's HorrorFest, but a scheduling conflict arose due to his involvement with the Evil Dead television series.