Wayne Moulton (left), an amazing child with super cool sneakers (middle), and Frank DuBay (right) of the Bay State Ghostbusters, Kids Con New England, 2017
I got my first taste of Kids Con New England in its second year, 2017. A cartoonist friend of mine, Emily Drouin, creator of the EPLIS science fiction comic book series for kids, started Kids Con in 2016 to offer a convention for children. We were invited as Ghostbusters to join in on the festivities. My husband and I love interacting with the younger generation at conventions while in our Ghostbusters cosplay, so Kids Con sounded like it was a perfect fit for us. Not only that, but my little Dinosaur had been born just 2 months previously. It was time for her very first convention, and what better introduction into our geeky world of whimsy than a convention specifically for kids?
She’s definitely the Next Great Superhero! Kids Con New England, 2017
Emily started her adventures into convention organizing back in 2013 when she began tabling for her self-published comic at conventions. “Back then, there didn’t seem to be too much for kids to do at comic cons,” Emily told me. “I felt the need for there to be a kid-friendly activities area where kids can learn about the comic arts and be entertained, so I offered to run kids zones and teach cartooning and comic book workshops at comic conventions across New England.” Obviously, the next logical step was to create a convention geared to those tiniest and most adorable comic book fans and thus, Kids Con New England was born.
Gaston, Belle, and the Beast, Kids Con New England, 2017
Kids Con New England is the first and largest kid-focused comic book convention in New England, with a mission to inspire creativity, art education, and literacy through comics. There is a focus on indie creators and family-oriented activities. Artists and illustrators run workshops like Drawing Franken-Creatures, Build a Lightsaber, and Create a Comic Book. There are plenty of family-friendly entertainment options, gaming all day, and coloring pages galore geared towards every kind of comic fan.
Now in its third year, Emily and her husband spend 356 days working hard to bring Kids Con to life. What’s so special about Kids Con? Duh. It’s all the kids.
Jedi Training at Kids Con New England, 2017
As soon as you walk in there are multitudes of cosplayers, all smiling and taking pictures with wide-eyed children who are over the moon as they meet their superhero idols. With activities such as a Jedi Training, the Royal Academy, and a Pirate Camp (not to mention Ghost-busting Fun, face-painting, a costume contest, and a Magical Sing-Along and Story Time), it’s no wonder that the amazement and energy permeate the halls. And that is Emily’s favorite part. “I love seeing kids light up when they discover new comics and seeing their creativity in workshops. We’re inspiring the next generation of comic book creators!”
Northeast Buccaneers, Kids Con New England, 2017
It’s not too late to join in on the fun for 2018! Kids Con New England will be on Sunday, June 10th at the Radisson Hotel in Nashua, NH from 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM. Tickets are $12.00 for adults, $10.00 for kids, and the under 5 crowd gets in for one whole penny according to the website. Get your tickets here.
