The Kokomo-Con may have a new location, but it promises to be just as fun as ever. The local pop culture convention, now in its 13th year, is adapting to accommodate its fans, and according to promoter Shawn Hilton, this version of the event may serve as the template for future celebrations.
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“We had to move with the closing of the Kokomo Event Center, and the Belmont should be a good fit for us,” said Hilton. “The convention won’t be as big, but our vendor tables sold out quickly. There will be plenty for everyone to see and do. And if the response is good enough, we hope to hold multiple conventions this year. That’s why we are calling this is Kokomo-Con Part 1.”
Kokomo-Con Part 1 takes place this Saturday, March 5, from 10 a.m. until 5 p.m. at The Baymont by Windham Inn and Suites, 1709 E. Lincoln Road. Tickets to the event are just $5 and are available at the door.
Hilton explained that, because of the smaller venue, some of the features that previous Kokomo-Cons offered just can’t be replicated. For instance, the organizers focused more on merchandise vendors than artists for this event, though both will be in attendance. Cosplayers are still encouraged to attend and show off their outfits, but the costume contests are not on the schedule this time around. The annual charity auction also is absent from this show, though plans are in the works for its return at a future convention.
The missing features may return at future shows, but one feature that is definitely appearing at full force is the gaming room, according to promoter Austin Meissnest.
“Kingdom Cards and Games is really putting together a great gaming room for this Kokomo-Con,” said Meissnest. “They have seven different game masters offering literally dozens of games, from role-playing games like Dungeons and Dragons and Vampire the Masquerade to miniature and card games like Crisis Protocol and Transformers.”
The game room will operate longer than the Kokomo-Con itself, with events starting at noon and ending at 9 p.m. A full list of the games offered can be found at the convention website – kokomocon.com – and seats are limited for many of the games. So, Meissnest recommends that players plan accordingly.
Additional information about Kokomo-Con Part 1 can be found at the convention website or on the convention’s Facebook page