In 2016 a small comic con was created for the family in mind in my local area. With the 3rd Annual Hudson Valley Comic Con having come and gone, let’s recap all that went on.
As it was in the beginning, HVCC takes place at Gold’s Gym in Lagrangeville, New York. The organizers used every square footage of the four indoor soccer fields with some very cool vendors of local businesses in the Hudson Valley area. This year’s celebrity list include: Karyn Parsons (The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air), Danny Tamberelli and Michael Maronna (Pete & Pete from Nickelodeon), Justin Swain (Marvel’s Luke Cage), Steve Cardenas (Power Rangers), Taimak (The Last Dragon) and Kadrolsha Ona Carole, the Queen of The Paranormal. Each of them are very accessible to the fans and from my observation, very giving of their time with all fans who stop by their table to say hello, get an autograph or take a selfie. I love interactions like these. This is one of the advantages of the smaller cons.
HVCC upped the ante this year with its food choices by having a carnival like food truck just outside the main entrance. Cosplayers were a plenty and the costume competition is always a crowd favorite. As well as the Rocky Horror Picture Show that closes out day one. VIPs got their own private lounge on the show floor thanks to local furniture outlet, Raymour and Flannigan. Parking this year was a major improvement over last year when patrons were charged five bucks which wasn’t well received by visitors. Like in earlier years, a Kids Zone to entertain our youngest superheroes turned into a great place for the parents to relax as much as it was for the kids to immerse themselves in puzzles and games.
If I had one criticism and it’s a small one, I wish more artists would attend. Comic Book conventions is what it sounds like. It’s a celebration of the medium. It’s a celebration of the art as well as the writing that gives life to these books. I will say though three years in and each one of those years improves on the previous one. I am sure the organizers behind HVCC is working on something special for 2019 and beyond. I for one look forward to seeing what they have planned.
May the Dork be with you,
JPB
The Dork Knight
