Cottage CountryCon is returning to the Sunshine City this summer.
Happening on Sunday, July 23 at the Mariposa Conference Centre, the sixth edition of the popular event will once again be a celebration of comic books, pop culture, and collectibles.
Fans will have the opportunity to meet Sailor Moon voice actor Jennifer Cihi, comic book legend, Joe Rubinstein, and professional wrestler Fred Ottman, better known as Tugboat, Typhoon, and Shockmaster.
Cottage CountryCon organizer Carmine De Santo says he puts on the event each year due to his love for pop culture.
“I love the industry, I love bringing guests to our city, and I love promoting Orillia,” he said. “I think the show brings local fans what they are looking for.”
While De Santo says growing the event into something larger hasn’t been a priority for him, he says it’s taken on a life of its own.
“Every year more and more people attend,” he said. “We end up adding new features to the show and it brings in different generations and fans of different things.”
New to the event this year is a Nintendo Switch Super Smash Bros. tournament and a Sailor Moon concert after the show.
“Jennifer Cihi, who plays Sailor Moon, is going to do all the songs,” De Santo said. “A lot of kids like that.”
Tickets for the concert are sold separately from the Cottage CountryCon event unless you purchase an all-day pass.
De Santo says there will be 60 to 80 vendors on-site selling toys, collectibles, and trading cards. Some of the vendors are from Montreal, Detroit, London, Sudbury, and Toronto.
“We will have a lot of comic books, toys, apparel, jewellery, and local artists,” he said. “The collectible market, especially toys and comic books, are popular right now.”
The main event of the event is the cosplay contest, which takes place at 4 p.m.
“That is always the biggest hit of the show,” De Santo said. “Everybody loves dressing up as their favourite characters.”
The winner of the contest will receive a $50 gift certificate to Dr. Comics and a trophy to display their bragging rights.
Tickets for the event cost $20 or $30 for an all-day pass with the concert. Kids younger than 11 get in for free. Tickets and more information can be found here.
