Monica Hooper
Muhoopertranslation:
What's better than a one-day Comic Con? Answer: a two-day Comic Con.
This year's Fort Smith Comic Con will provide superhero and anime fans and collectors with an even bigger fan convention over two days, featuring more celebrity guests, artists and events than ever before.
“We’re excited to join forces with Fort Smith Comic Con and Chelsea Mayo to create an even bigger event,” said Sylvia Chavarria, sales and marketing director for Fandom Events. Now in its third year, FSCC has enlisted the help of Fandom Events, the largest independent convention company in the U.S., to expand the convention, which will be held July 27th and 28th at Kay Rogers Park.
This year's celebrity guests include “The Brady Bunch Movie” reunion with Paul Stella, Olivia Hack, Henrietta Mantell and Jennifer Elise Cox.
Other celebrities on hand to sign autographs and take selfies include Mindy Sterling from the “Austin Powers” series and “The Grinch”; Matthew Sussman, who voiced Professor Elm, Meowth and Professor Westwood in “Pokémon”; Ken Lerner from “Buffy the Vampire Slayer,” “Happy Days” and “The Goldbergs”; Casey Jones from “Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles” and Mark Thompson, who voiced Megatron in “Transformers”; Ryan Drummond, the original English voice actor for “Sonic the Hedgehog”; and Anthony Salerno, voice actor, director and screenwriter who has worked on “Yu-Gi-Oh!” and “Sonic the Hedgehog.”
Cosplay enthusiasts are welcome all weekend, but on Saturday there will be a cosplay contest with this year's winner receiving a prize from Walk-On's Sports Bistro.
There will also be plenty of opportunities for fans to expand their collections: Vendors at the convention will accept cash and cards, although Chavarria said different vendors may vary in the types of currency they accept.
There'll also be plenty of martial arts to see during the day, from medieval live-action role-playing by the Halcyon Knights to Independent Wrestling Federation (IWF) matches. Improv comedy group Take1 will perform “Yes And” on both days, and Comic-Con favorite Kazha will also be performing her melodic heavy metal on both days.
There will also be traditional maid cafes, a subcategory of cosplay restaurants found primarily in Japan and Taiwan, where staff dress up in maid outfits and act as servants, entertaining customers as if they were in a private home rather than a restaurant.
“Plan to stay, shop, see a show and have a great time with other Comic-Con-goers,” said Chavarria, who urges first-time and regular Comic-Con-goers alike to follow Fort Smith Comic-Con on social media for the latest updates.
“Fort Smith has been so welcoming to us bringing this event back to their community,” she said. “This is fun for the whole family, and our lineup of celebrity guests has something for everyone, so please come along with your friends and family.”
—-
FAQ
Fort Smith Comic Con
What — A two-day fan convention with panels, Artist Alley, Exhibit Hall, and special celebrity guests including the Brady Bunch Movie Alumni Association, the Halcyon Knights Fight Pit, the Independent Wrestling Federation (IWF), a traditional maid cafe, improv comedy, and live music by Kazha.
Date — July 27-28
Location — Kay Rogers Park, 4400 Midland Boulevard, Fort Smith
Tickets — Day passes are $24.12, children are $11.19. Weekend passes are $37.04, VIP is $84.44.
Information — fortsmithcc.com
