Reading Time: 4 minutes
Geek Culture Conventions
Our first stop on this week’s Convention Connection is in Cincinnati, Ohio for the Cincinnati Comic Expo. The event runs from Friday, September 14 through Sunday, September 16. In addition to celebrity guests like Benedict Wong (Doctor Strange), Nikolaj Coster-Waldau (Game of Thrones), LeVar Burton (Roots, Reading Rainbow, Star Trek: The Next Generation), Cary Elwes (The Princess Bride), and Clark Gregg (Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.), attendees can find legendary and contemporary comic creators, cosplay guests, and more. The event includes an on-site blood drive, costume contest, exhibitors, panels and workshops, and tabletop gaming. Saturday evening is capped off by this year’s geek prom, “Midwest Muggle Fest”.
Other Geek Culture Conventions
Mid-Atlantic Nostalgia Convention 2018; Hunt Valley, Maryland; Thursday, September 13 through Saturday, September 15
Fandemic Houston 2018; Houston, Texas; Friday, September 14 through Sunday, September 16
Keystone Comic Con; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania; September 14 through Sunday, September 16
California Republic Comic Con; Merced, California; Saturday, September 15
Special Interest Conventions
The Midwest Ethnic Convention for Comics and Arts (known simply as MECCAcon) is an annual comic, arts, and culture festival held in a different location every year. This year’s MECCAcon will be held on Saturday, September 15 at the Detroit Public Library in Detroit, Michigan. The event focuses on Afrofuturism, comic books, science fiction, steampunk, manga, music, fine arts, and more. Running in conjunction with the main convention is the MECCAcon International Film Festival, registered under director Ava DuVernay’s ARRAY banner.
Other Special Interest Conventions
HawaiiCon 2018; Waimea, Hawaii; Thursday, September 13 through Sunday, September 16
IC Collectors Convention 2018; Franklin, Tennessee; Friday, September 14 and Saturday, September 15
The ScareFest 2018; Lexington, Kentucky; Friday, September 14 through Sunday, September 16
The Enchanted City 2018; Troy, New York; Saturday, September 15
Anime & Asian Culture Conventions
J1-Con, formerly held in Philadelphia, has moved this year to Atlantic City, New Jersey. This year’s event runs from Friday, September 14 through Sunday, September 16. Though the location has changed, attendees can still expect cosplay, panels, live performances, vendors, artists, gaming, and dance parties! Friday night’s dance party is for all ages, while Saturday night’s dance party is ages 18 and older.
Other Anime & Asian Culture Conventions
Anime Sekai 2018; Abilene, Texas; Friday, September 14 through Sunday, September 16
Super Dimension Convention; Torrance, California; Saturday, September 15
Toy & Gaming Conventions
The Independent Game Developer’s Expo (known as IGDExpo) will be held on Saturday, September 15 and Sunday, September 16 in West Monroe, Louisiana. While the event includes cosplay, vendors, panels, gaming tournaments, and workshops, the highlight of IGDExpo is the free play with tabletop game developers.
Other Toy & Gaming Conventions
A Video Game Con 2018; Secaucus, New Jersey; Saturday, September 15 and Sunday, September 16
Minefaire 2018; Austin, Texas; Saturday, September 15 and Sunday, September 16
International Conventions
Canada
Gatecon 2018; Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada; Friday, September 14 through Sunday, September 16
Gas City Entertainment Expo; Medicine Hat, Alberta, Canada; Saturday, September 15
United Kingdom
Coventry Comic Con; Coventry, United Kingdom; Saturday, September 15
Film & Comic Con Exeter 2018; Exeter, United Kingdom; September 15 and Sunday, September 16
Yorkshire Cosplay Ball 2018; Sheffield, United Kingdom; Sunday, September 16
Australia
FurJAM 2018; Sydney, New South Wales, Australia; Friday, September 14 through Sunday, September 16
Madman Anime Festival Melbourne 2018; Melbourne, Victoria, Australia; September 15 and Sunday, September 16
Europe
Heroes Comic Con Stockholm 2018; Kista, Sweden; Friday, September 14 through Sunday, September 16
Aniventure Comic Con 2018; Sofia, Bulgaria; Saturday, September 15 and Sunday, September 16
Midgard 2018; Reykjavik, Iceland; Saturday, September 15 and Sunday, September 16
Africa
Comic Con Africa 2018; Midrand, South Africa; Friday, September 14 through Sunday, September 16
Heading out to a convention this weekend?
We’d love to see your photos (especially your cosplay photos). When you upload your convention photos to social media this weekend, tag @GeekDads on Twitter and GeekDad on Facebook and use #ConConnect. With your permission, we just might share your photos on our social media accounts.
Are you a convention organizer who would like your con featured in an upcoming Convention Connection?
E-mail joey@geekdad.com at least two weeks before the convention’s start date with details you would like shared with our readers. Submission of details does not guarantee that we’ll highlight your convention, but it certainly helps your chances.
Are you a convention organizer who would like your con attended and covered by GeekDad?
E-mail joey@geekdad.com at least two months before the convention’s start date with details. Submission of details does not guarantee that we’ll cover your convention, but it certainly helps your chances. Coverage depends on contributor availability for the convention. If you are willing to assist with travel and lodging for a GeekDad contributor covering your convention, please note that in the e-mail.
Are you a convention organizer who would like to give away entry to your convention (tickets, badges, etc.) on GeekDad?
Contact joey@geekdad.com at least one month before first date with ticket giveaway details. Submission of details does not guarantee that we’ll run a giveaway for entry to your convention, but it certainly helps your chances.
Last Thought
There is no way we can cover every convention every weekend. If there is a convention not covered above that you plan to attend this weekend, feel free to post the name of the convention, dates, location, and link to the convention’s website in the comments below.
Click through to read all of “Convention Connection: Geek Culture Conventions for Week 37 2018” at GeekDad.If you value content from GeekDad, please support us via Patreon or use this link to shop at Amazon. Thanks!
