Pop culture legends meet in Hamilton for RetroCon
Only in a science fiction fan's wildest imagination could the Mystery Machine from Scooby Doo, a Demogorgan from Stranger Things and Star Wars stormtroopers find themselves in the same room.
Or in Hamilton.
On Saturday at RetroCon Canada (an old-school version of Comic Con), the Hamilton Convention Centre was crowded with those things plus characters from all kinds of movies and shows and even the last surviving original imagineer who helped build Disneyland.
Pop-culture fans came together for its inaugural event and welcomed Disney ride designer and Imagineer Bob Gurr, Star Wars set designer and Academy Award winner Roger Christian, YouTube stars from Hacksmith Industries and ATARI developers.
At these conventions we have people that really enjoy dressing up and cosplaying in characters that move just like in television," said Gurr, the only remaining member of Walt Disney's first hires back in 1954.
Canadian Star Wars actors who played Rebel pilots in Star Wars: A New Hope" were also present, speaking to fans, signing autographs and taking photos.
British-Canadian Star Wars actor, Garrick Hagon said fans were totally nice and totally Canadian."
They even helped me onto the train," Hagon said.
Canadian actor Angus MacInnes, known for his role as Jon Dutch" Vander in the 1977 Star Wars, said everyone at the event had a great time.
It's always nice to be at these events. Star Wars fans are fun and curious. That's the nicest thing. We (Hagon and I) have been doing these (conventions) for a long time and it's good to come home," MacInnes said.
Sketch artist Arnold Trinidad has been attending RetroCon and other similar events for more than 12 years. The artist has been a comic and cartoon fan since he was a child. He said RetroCon is a great opportunity to display his drawings and sell them.
I have been attending other events similar to this one and it's my way to be on the other side of the table as a guest." Trinidad said. These conventions are all about networking, meeting other artists and exchanging drawing techniques."
Cosplayer Matthew Griffin, dressed up as Sailor Jupiter - a Japanese superheroine anime series from the '90s - was surprised by other fans asking for photos with him.
This is my first time doing a cosplay and I'm just blown away by how many fans of Sailor Jupiter there have been. It's really been wonderful to get the love from all the people who appreciate my costume."
The 41-year-old said cosplaying doesn't have so much to do with one's favourite TV show or movie.
It's more about the character people are dressing up as. They really take a vast interest in the character and resonate with them."
RetroCon attracted fans of all ages. Eleven-year-old Ghostbuster Calvin Newark spent weeks working on his ghost trap and costume.
It's mostly hot glue and cardboard. It took a long time to build, about two months but it came out really well," Calvin said. I just really like the movies. I enjoy going to the conventions and showing off my work."
Donations were collected in support of the McMaster Children's Hospital Foundation.
Beatriz Baleeiro is a reporter at The Spectator.bbaleeiro@torstar.ca