With the highly-anticipated film Star Wars: Episode VII – The Force Awakens set to open on December 18, there will be a special homage to the cult classic film series at the second annual star-studded Winter Con.
The event will take place at Resorts World Casino this weekend, from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Saturday, December 5, and from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Sunday, December 6. Wintercon will celebrate Star Wars with a lineup of guest appearances and fun activities that will excite the inner nerd in you.
Frank Patz, a Queens native and co-promoter of Winter Con, was inspired to create the show due to a love of science fiction. Growing up, he and his friends always watched screenings of the Godzilla series between Thanksgiving and Christmas, and he wanted to recreate that for a new generation of science fiction fans.
Expect to see Jeremy Bullock, the original Boba Fett from The Empire Strikes Back and Return of the Jedi, as well as Daniel Logan, who played the young Boba Fett from Attack of the Clones. Other guest appearances include John Morton, who acted as Dak Ralter in The Empire Strikes Back, and Taylor Gray, also known as Ezra Bridger in Star Wars Rebels. There will also be stormtroopers and Darth Vaders walking around the convention.
If you’re into comic books and art, famed Star Wars comic book artists John Cassaday and Dave Dorman will also be in attendance.
While Paz hopes Winter Con can eventually be something in the vicinity of Comic Con, he wants there to be a clear distinction.
“We’re more science fiction movie based,” he said. “While we also have comics, we’re more celebrity-based as well.”
Even if Star Wars isn’t your cup of tea, WinterCon will offer up a whole host of comics-related events.
There will also be celebrities from other science fiction-related pop culture such as Nichelle Nichols from Star Trek, Austin St. John and Jason Lee Scott from Power Rangers, Michael Biehn from Terminator and Aliens, and Haruo Nakajima, the original Godzilla actor. The Japanese actor who played the beloved character Jet Jaguar in Godzilla will be making his first appearance ever at a convention after Patz sought him out.
Legendary comic book artists, such as Neal Adams, who is best known for works such as Batman, will also be there, along with artists James O’Barr and Billy Tucci.
Fans of the films can listen to a panel discussion about various science fiction-themed topics or you can be a part of the show itself by getting dressed up in your favorite character’s costume and participating in the costume contest. Even more impressive, there will be a life-size trash compactor that fans can go into and have their photos taken.
Children will be able to participate in the Jedi Academy on Sunday, where the Star Wars characters will teach the kids how to use light sabers. Each child is given a free light saber.
And if you like wrestling, there’s something for you too. WWE stars Mick Foley, King Kong Bundy and Tito Santana are also set to be at Winter Con.
Single day tickets are $25 for Saturday and $20 for Sunday for adults, $15 for Saturday and $8 for Sunday for kids. Weekend passes are $40 for adults and $20 for kids. Special VIP packages are also available for $85. For more information, visit the show’s website, www.nywintercon.com, or email info@wintercon.com.
