My husband was offered tickets to San Diego Comic-Con by a friend at work. We’ve never attended the conference and heard that it might be relocated to a larger venue in another city in the near future. So, we decided to brave the crowds, chaos, and craziness.
According to the Comic-Con Museum located in Balboa Park, “…Comic-Con began in 1970 when a small group of comics, movie, and science fiction fans from San Diego put on an event attended by just 300 people. Since then, Comic-Con has grown into a global phenomenon…” The convention is supposedly the largest convention of its kind in the world and also the largest convention held in San Diego.
The convention was originally focused on comic books and science fiction/fantasy media. However, the purview has expanded to include movies, entertainment, and pop culture. The convention is a four-day event, from Thursday through Sunday. Plus, on Wednesday evening, VIPs, exhibitors, and certain pre-registered guests can attend a Preview Night. Comic-Con offers a wide variety of activities: panels, presentations, workshops, screenings, signings, exhibitions, vendors, games, and contests. It’s a jam-packed weekend with an ever-changing schedule of attractions.
I think my favorite activity was people-watching. I was fascinated by the costumes and cosplay. The main exhibit hall was mass pandemonium, but thoroughly entertaining. I enjoyed perusing the various displays and scoring a few treasures for my grandkids. It was fun to watch their faces light up and expressions turn to awe when I panned the exhibits during a FaceTime call. They especially loved the giant Pokémon ball and Minecraft statues built out of Legos. Comic-Con spilled out of the Convention Center and into the surrounding area. Knights were jousting in full regalia. Pop-up tents and booths were buzzing with activity. The Gaslamp Quarter was covered with decorative skins, and the streets were shut down to accommodate the crowds. The entire area was teeming with people and lots of hoopla, hustle and bustle. Attending Comic-Con was a surreal experience, definitely a memorable adventure.
