Three conventions are poised to convene in Connecticut this weekend, and the fact that they almost slipped past Daily Nutmeg has me thinking they might be slipping past a lot of us. So here’s a chronological preview of the three, along with six more we’ll now have time to prepare for:
Connecticon | July 18-21 | Connecticut Convention Center, Hartford
The 21st edition of “New England’s longest-running multi-genre pop culture convention” starts today. Attractions range from the approachable to the super geeky: panels, workshops and signing sessions, including by multiple stars of the kids’ TV series Bluey and the adult series Upload; many—maybe too many—themed photo shoots and cosplay events; stations with PCs and consoles and a board game library for plunking down and playing; a “trivia tavern” with dozens of themed sessions; a full-motion video, or FMV, competition that seems to have something to do with video game cut scenes; and more vendors, including artists and merchandisers, than I’m willing to count.
Guilford Art Center Craft Expo | July 19-21 | Guilford Green
Counting vendors isn’t a problem here, as organizers trumpet more than “170 independent craftspeople”—“artists and makers of unique, high-quality work ranging from pottery and jewelry to textiles and woodwork.” “Food artisans” will convene here as well, “offering everything from gourmet vinegars, mushrooms, teas, nuts[,] syrup[s], and hemp products to handcrafted chocolates and fine spirits,” with food trucks, live musical acts and a family art tent rounding things out.
ParaConn | July 20-21 | Baldwin Center, Stratford
“Connecticut’s original paranormal convention” does, indeed, go beyond the normal. Organizer and co-host Charles Rosenay, founder of the FrightHaven haunted attraction center in Stratford, has summoned “special guests, vendors, psychics, readers, authors [and] speakers” including television ghost hunters and “an independent priest… specializing in demonology and deliverance/exorcism.” Plus, there are ghost hunts on the hour, in Stratford’s Old Congregational Burying Ground.
Great American Stamp Show | August 15-18 | Connecticut Convention Center, Hartford
Billed by the convention center as “the largest annual stamp event in the United States,” organizers say the “heart” of the show is “the bourse of 75+ dealers buying and selling stamps and covers ranging in price from a few cents to hundreds or even thousands of dollars,” all vying for a shocking number of awards. But there’s more: “world-class exhibits showcasing rare and interesting aspects of philately”; “new issue” ceremonies celebrating stamp designs being released that very day; an auction “featur[ing] fine selections of United States and Worldwide stamps and postal history including extensive collections and large lots”; an enormous schedule of seminars and meetings as well as a “celebration banquet”; and youth-oriented activities...
Terrificon | August 16-18 | Mohegan Sun, Uncasville
... But something tells me more kids are going to be clamoring to go to Terrificon. Officially, top billing here goes to comic books and their makers, though I think most attendees are at least as thrilled about the famous faces stepping off the screen into the real world. Appearing for panels, signings and/or photo ops, comic creators in attendance this year include legends Jim Lee and Chris Claremont, while actors include Cobie Smulders, best known in these circles for playing Maria Hill in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, and Charlie Cox, who’s about to reprise his acclaimed small-screen role as Marvel’s Daredevil. But the starpower in attendance reaches well beyond the MCU, to familiar and, depending on your fandom, glee-inducing faces from Star Trek, Dune, The Karate Kid, Spaceballs, The Matrix, Clerks, Hook, Deadwood, CHiPS and many more. Guests can also expect cosplay culture, an extensive floor space filled with vendors and exhibitors and “our famous after-con activities” (your guess is as good as mine).
RetroWorld Expo | August 23-25 | Connecticut Convention Center, Hartford
RetroWorld homes in on perhaps the one obvious area Terrificon doesn’t: gaming. The expo promises esports tournaments, both for competing in and spectating; “tons of classic arcade machines and pinball games,” all set to free play; console and tabletop gaming stations, also free to use; a marketplace of “over 200 vibrant booths” offering “rare collectibles [and] interactive showcases”; panels and auctions; and diversions such as interactive game show-style events and—this one’s out of left field—live wrestling.
Connecticut HorrorFest | September 21-22 | Connecticut Convention Center, Hartford
“Presented by Connecticut-based horror website Horror News Network,” this niche convention has announced an impressive slate of celebrity guests, including Skeet Ullrich, the OG archvillain of the Scream series; Tony Todd, star of Candyman and the 1990 version of Night of the Living Dead; Doug Bradley and Ashley Laurence, icons of the Hellraiser series; Amie Donald, who gave the title character in M3GAN her instantly viral dance moves; Michael Ironside, whose credentials include the horror sci-fi film Scanners and arguably horror-adjacent sci-fi films Total Recall and Starship Troopers; and the trio who starred in the original, terrifying, history-making Blair Witch Project: Heather Donahue, Joshua Leonard and Michael C. Williams. Vendors, panel talks, costume contests and photo ops with the celebs finish things off.
Tommy’s Tattoo Convention | October 11-13 | Mohegan Sun, Uncasville
“Tommy” is Tom Ringwalt, owner of tattoo supply company Tommy’s Supplies, and organizing a tattoo convention seems like a stroke of business genius. For attendees, it’s a chance to branch out with their body art, with more than 125 currently announced tattooists—along with 10 piercers—will be on hand to ink people up. Meanwhile, comedians, acrobats, dancers, contests and other “sideshow” attractions, along with a suitably edgy vendor market, aim to keep guests entertained.
New England Christmas Festival | November 8-10 | Mohegan Sun, Uncasville
The 38th annual edition of this festival promises “everything a holiday shopper could desire under one magnificent roof”—a “giant treasure hunt” among “350+ art, craft and specialty food American artisans from all over the country,” brought here “to display and sell their unique products, all made by hand.” Those products include “stunning jewelry, seasonal decorations, photography, distinctive home accessories, children’s toys and clothes, pet specialties, gifts for the sports-minded, specialty foods and much, much more.”
Of course, as with any of these conventions, the “more” of it all will simply have to be experienced.
Written by Dan Mims. Image (Shutterstock) features cosplayers at a comic con.
