ComicCon aiming to build festival-like atmosphere
Downtown BIA seeks proposals to give visitors a variety of new events to enjoy
Another edition of Windsor ComiCon is set to swing into action the weekend of Aug. 12 to 13 — and the Downtown Windsor Business Improvement Association is looking for sidekicks.
On Monday, the DWBIA issued a request for proposals from downtown businesses interested in hosting events related to Windsor ComiCon, such as an Artist’s Cafe, a Night of Heroes cosplay gathering, an After Dark Party, and the volunteer recognition celebration.
It’s all part of Windsor ComiCon’s first attempt at an “experiential” program — building a “festival-like atmosphere around non-traditional show hours” that extend beyond the convention’s usual location of Caesars Windsor.
“We’re planting the seed that will eventually grow into a giant festival around Windsor ComiCon weekend,” said Jeremy Renaud, a spokesman for Windsor ComiCon.
“People will come to the show at The Colosseum, and then there will be stuff for them to do in the downtown core.”
Renaud said last year’s Windsor ComiCon was attended by about 7,000 people — more than enough to make an impact on foot traffic for downtown businesses.
“We’ve seen a lot of interest, a lot of excitement,” said DWBIA executive director Debi Croucher
But Croucher was quick to say the DWBIA’s involvement with Windsor ComiCon shouldn’t be seen as an attempt to replace past DWBIA summer events like Balloonapalooza (now defunct) and Fiesta Latina (set to happen this year on July 22). “It’s intended to be an expansion,” Croucher said.
Along with an expanded nightlife, Windsor ComiCon 2017 will have all the usual features beloved by comic book fans: a cosplay competition, an Artists’ Alley, more than 40 merchandise vendors,
and celebrity guests available for autographs and photographs for a fee.
This year’s guest list includes actor Billy Dee Williams — best known as Lando Calrissian in the Star Wars series — 1980s pro wrestling star Jake (The Snake) Roberts, actor Garrett Wang of Star Trek Voyager, and comic book writer Fabian Nicieza — cocreator of the popular Marvel superhero Deadpool.
Renaud said the costume contest will be co-ordinated by Windsor’s Rachel Petersen of RayGrey Cosplay.
The competition in the 2015 edition of Windsor ComiCon had more than 125 entrants dressed as their favourite superheroes and characters from science fiction and fantasy.
Family-oriented programming will be a focus for Windsor ComiCon 2017, with more activities for kids than in previous editions: arts and crafts, an area to play board games and collector card games, and mini-escape rooms.