From cosplay to comics, P.E.I. convention offers something for every fan

Beetlejuice, Ghostbusters, Tremendous Mario Brothers and each character in between had been lined up via the foyer of Charlottetown’s Delta Lodge over the weekend. 

The Atlantic Leisure Expo hit P.E.I. for the fourth time, giving the hundreds of attendees an opportunity to get collectively and geek out over all issues popular culture, video games and comics. 

Then there have been the costumes. 

Hunter Bryden, 21, and a gaggle of mates drove from Fredericton, N.B., to attend the expo. He was dressed as Diluc, a personality from the online game Genshin Influence.

Bryden mentioned he is made a variety of mates via costume play, or cosplay, and by visiting conventions like this one. 

“You get to be somebody that you just’re not,” he mentioned. “[Cosplay is] one thing that I began with my grandmother a very very long time in the past, we made the costumes collectively, and it is simply one thing that continued into maturity as a result of it is enjoyable. It is a inventive outlet.” 

The Atlantic Leisure Expo, or AEX, started in 2019 because the Island Leisure Expo. 

The occasion needed to be cancelled for just a few years as a result of COVID pandemic, however followers from across the area have since returned with gusto.

Organizer Alex Maine mentioned between 4,000 and 5,000 individuals had been anticipated via the doorways of the conference’s two days. 

Maine mentioned the conference is the one one among its variety in P.E.I., so it may be an important alternative for individuals to fulfill different followers with related pursuits. 

“There’s lots of people right here who … aren’t used to those issues, so it is a actually good social occasion. It breaks limitations,” he mentioned. “I am not too fussed about numbers. So long as individuals get pleasure from it, I am blissful.”

Given the quantity of people that got here via the Delta’s doorways over the weekend, organizers mentioned there is a chance of including a second AEX on the Island sooner or later. 

Distributors like Exor Video games proprietor Brandon Massey agree. 

He mentioned the occasion presents a pleasant surroundings for individuals to find new video games and genres — and there’s all the time a brand new era keen to seek out them. 

“A whole lot of the grown-ups cherished these items as a child, and now they’re grown up and acquired children of their very own, so now they’re actually beginning to get their complete households into it.” 

The rise in recognition of the occasion every year might be attributed to increasingly conventions popping up across the globe which might be just like Comic-Con. 

It is also simpler than ever for followers to seek out their area of interest, mentioned Murray River resident Daniel Scott, who attended the Charlottetown expo dressed as a Ghostbuster. 

“Media that persons are very massive followers of is extra accessible on daily basis via streaming companies, short-form media like TikTok or Fb or YouTube shorts … so it is very easy to place your self in a personality’s sneakers. That is why I believe [AEX] is rising,” he mentioned. 

“Nowadays, all people can use a smile, and this makes everybody smile.” 

AEX can be a spot the place artists and companies can showcase and promote their work. 

P.E.I. comedian e book artist Troy Little has been to all 4 expos and mentioned it is a good way to attach with youthful followers and present them jobs are potential within the leisure area. 

“After I grew up we had one comedian store and earlier than that we had nothing, so seeing it develop as a popular culture occasion to the purpose the place we will have 2,000 or 4,000 individuals come to a comic book e book  and popular culture present — that is the stuff that I like … collaborating in,” he mentioned. 

“Having the ability to have that in Charlottetown, clearly there’s an viewers for it.”