BANGOR, Maine — Bangor Comic and Toy Con returned the first weekend of October for three days of fun bringing together actors, cosplayers, and followers of franchises new and old.
Enthusiasts of all genres of science fiction and fantasy gathered at the Cross Insurance Center for its fifth year of "pure geek fun," according to the website. The event beckoned celebrities, nonprofits, and cosplayers to bond over their shared passions.
Miki Mays, one of the lead organizers for this year's event, said she is proud of the attention it gets.
“It’s really wonderful to bring that to the state of Maine,” she said. "We get comments on our Facebook all the time that, 'Oh, you'll never get big celebrities to Maine,' and we do.”
This year’s big names include Michael Rooker from “Guardians of the Galaxy”; Jake Abel, Julie McNiven, and Kim Rhodes from “Supernatural”; and seven cast members from the original 1989 production of “Pet Sematary.”
While many guests attended to catch a glimpse of the celebrities, Mays said she keeps volunteering for the people.
“It’s so cliche to say, but the volunteers—we are like a family,” she said.
Heath Simmons attended Friday and Saturday and said she was eager to get signatures from stars of the 1990 “Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles” movie.
Simmons said he has attended more conventions than he could count and knows that the joy he gets from the events lasts much longer with the mementos he takes away.
“When I start talking about these things, it brings me joy because it’s a fun story. It’s a unique story tailored just to me,” he said.
One of those takeaways Simmons shared was meeting members of the 501st Legion, an international Star Wars cosplay group. Downeast Squad leader Dave Mcintosh and a half-dozen of his members were in attendance.
“I saw a picture seven or eight years ago of a storm trooper holding out his finger and a child in a hospital holding out their finger,” Mcintosh said. “That picture is what drew me into the 501st.”
His squad visits hospitals regularly and raises money for charity. Part of the New England Garrison, Mcintosh’s squad has helped raise more than $15,000 for charities such as the Make-a-Wish Foundation.
"Ghostbusters" fans also came out to wow attendees and fundraise. Thomas Lemieux said that he and the eight of other members of the Maine Ghostbuster Corps are currently accepting donations for the Center for Grieving Children in Portland.
“For Ghostheads like us, it just never gets old," between making props and sharing his passion, Lemieux said.
The convention will be renamed Queen City Expo for its 2025 gathering. The next event hosted by Vacationland Entertainment will be the Bangor Anime Convention in February.