New attractions and guests in store for YumaCon
AmVets Post 2, Avenue 9E and S. Frontage Road (directly across from Green Tree Grocery): today — meat draw/live auction, 1 p.m., dance music by Ernie and Wayne, 5 p.m.; Saturday — slingo/bingo, 1:30 p.m., dance music by Ernie and Wayne, 5 p.m.; Sunday — breakfast, 7 a.m. to noon, open menu, noon to 5 p.m.; Monday — Wii bowling, noon, karaoke, 5 p.m.; Tuesday — veterans help, 9 a.m., karaoke, 5 p.m.; Wednesday — karaoke, 5 p.m.; Thursday — queen of hearts drawing, 4 p.m.; daily breakfast, 7 to 11 a.m. For information, call 726-0102.
The Yuma Platoon, Marine Corps Mustangs Association, meets regularly in Yuma and Phoenix. The Mustangs support several MCJrROTC units throughout Arizona. Membership is open to all Marine Corps officers who first served in the enlisted ranks. For more information, email majdon333@gmail.com, call (928) 581-8183 or (480) 897-8835 and leave a message.
Disabled American Veterans Chapter 11, 954 S. 13th Ave., service officers to assist with VA claims: today — karaoke, 5 p.m.; Saturday — open pool, all day; Tuesday — Auxiliary meat draws, 2 p.m.; Thursday — bar stool bingo, 4:30 p.m. For information, call 783-6661.
The Yuma chapter of the Military Officers Association of America meets with a guest speaker at 6 p.m. on the third Wednesday September through June at Omega Restaurant and Bar, 711 E. 32nd St. Enter through restaurant or Airport Motel office entrance. For information on meeting location and to make dinner reservations, call 783-5274.
The Yuma Council of the Navy League of the U.S. is a community service organization focused on the nation’s sea services: Marines, Navy and Coast Guard. The council hosts a general dinner meeting with guest speakers at 6 p.m. on the third Thursday September through June at the Patio Restaurant, Desert Hills Golf Course, 1245 W. Desert Hills Drive. For information and for dinner reservations by Monday prior, call 446-1469.
Team RWB’s mission is to enrich the lives of America’s veterans by connecting them to their community through physical and social activity. We welcome all active duty, retired, reserve, National Guard, veterans and veteran supporters (civilians). Membership is always free. To sign up and join, visit www.teamrwb.org and click on ‘Join the Team’ tab.
The Yuma organization of U.S. Submarine Veterans, Inc. (USSVI) meets on the first Thursday October
This year, attendees of Yuma’s local comic con will find themselves met with many new attractions and guests to get their geek and pop culture fix.
Presented by the Yuma Art Center and the city of Yuma, the comic convention takes place Saturday from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. at the Yuma Civic Center, 1440 W. Desert Hills Drive. Tickets are $10 pre-sale and $12 at the door.
Tickets can be purchased at https://secure. ticketsage.net/websales. aspx?u=yuma.
Getting its start two years ago, YumaCon was first held at the Yuma Art Center, but has since moved to the Yuma Civic Center due to attendees numbering over 1,000 and exceeding building capacity in its inaugural year.
Last year, the con saw 1,200 attendees and more than 30 booths.
“Now in its third year, YumaCon has quickly become one of our favorite and most unique events,” said city Arts and Program Manager Lindsay Benacka. “From comic vendors and regional cosplay stars to an escape room and expanded video game room, this year’s con is sure to be our biggest one to date. This year we’ve added a kids zone, have doubled our vendors and have a new food court lounge area. There is sure to be something for regular con attendees and first timecosplayers alike.”
Cosplayers, or those who dress up as characters from a movie, television show, comic, book or video game, are a common staple at comic cons.
The escape room will be hosted by the Yuma County Library District every two hours from noon to 4 p.m. with themes centering on Harry Potter, Alien Invasion and Star Wars.
An escape room is a popular phenomenon that first gained momentum in Japan after an online game with a similar structure was brought to life by engaging players in an actual room with clues they must gather to break free. It is often geared toward groups who must work together to solve the puzzles.
Cosplayers in youth, adult and skit divisions will strut their stuff on the Main Stage at 5:30 p.m. for the Masquerade which will be followed by a Korean Pop (K-Pop) concert with music artist En.V.
A group of professional cosplayers will be judging the best cosplays presented at the Masquerade in a youth, adult and skit division. Guest judges that have been announced on YumaCon’s Facebook page include Chey Takinen of Q-Ki Cosplay, Amber Brite and Leonardo Romero.
New guests in store for YumaCon-goers include comic book writer and screenwriter Terry Mayo, 1967 Charlie the Impalaa replica of the iconic “Baby” from sci-fi show Supernatural, actors and comic book writers/artists Matt and John Yuan and creator/writer Stephen Stern.
Returning guests this year include performing group United Zombies of America, artist Kip Mussat, KPop artist En.V, volunteer-based charity costuming group Arizona Avengers, entertainment group PVCC Chuckle Bags, the Mandalorian Mercs costume club and comic book creator Orlando Harding.
There will also be several activities throughout the day where con goers can learn how to create their own armor for cosplay, explore the comic industry, create arts and crafts and more.
For a full schedule of the day’s events, visit https:// www.facebook.com/yumaconvention/.
More information can be obtained by calling the Yuma Art Center at (928) 373-5202. Pre-sale tickets are also available for purchase in person at the center located at 254 S. Main St.
RACHEL’S RUN 5K, FUN WALK
WHEN: Registration 7 a.m.; run 8 a.m., fun walk 8:05 a.m.