Pop culture aficionados will be in heaven at the Enmax Centre, Nov.14 and 15 as the third annual Lethbridge Entertainment Expo continues to grow.
“Last night I was writing a to do list and the next thing I knew it was two pages long. But I wouldn’t change it for the world,” said organizer Matthew Odland, who has an exciting two days planned including many vendors and plenty of free interactive activities with admission.
There will be cosplay, a costume contest, artists and vendors selling movies, comics, statues, anime and much more.
“It’s the sort of thing you’d see at bigger Comicons,” Odland said.
Special guests this year include Phil Lamarr, Mad TV alumni and one of the many voices on Futurama. He also appeared in Pulp Fiction as a baby. Jason Mewes, podcaster and the loud half of Jay and Silent Bob in Kevin Smith's many films will be on hand. So will renown voice actor Billy West, most famous for Futurama and the voice of the red M & M.
Actor Lee Arenberg who plays Grumpy the Dwarf in the television series Once Upon a Time will also be appearing on Saturday only. Arenberg has been in everything from Pirates of the Carribean to sitcoms like Seinfeld and Friends.
Brendan Hunter, anime voice actor and star of Dragonball and Lloyd the Conqueror, will also be on hand.
Several of them were at the Kelowna Entertainment Expo, which Odland also organized.
Billy West was supposed to attend last year, but due to paperwork problems, had to appear via Skype.
Odland noted the guests have been great about promoting their appearances at the Lethbridge Entertainment Expo.
In addition to photo ops and autograph signing, the guests will be appearing in panels and participating in question and answer sessions.
“It’s nice when your guests support the show,” he said.
“Billy West has been amazing. Jason Mewes set up his own events page on Facebook about it and Phil Lamarr retweets every time Phil Lamarr is mentioned,” Odland continued, finalizing floor plans for the event.
“Everything is really going to pop. Everywhere you look there will be something to do,” he said adding he is excited to hold the event at the Enmax Centre for the first time.
“It’s designed for an event like this,” he said.
There has been a lot of interest in the event.
“We’ve sold tickets to people in Edmonton, Saskatoon and to Okanagen. We have exhibitors from all over Canada. It’s really exciting,” Odland said.
There are plenty of family friendly activities as well including the always popular giant bouncy castle, crafts for kids with Smudge Arts, the video game station and day long anime screenings.
“We also have Artemis, which is seven stations recreating the bridge of a starship where you can do things like reenact battle simulations,” he enthused.
While it isn’t exactly based on the Enterprise from Star Trek, The Vulcan Star Trek museum will display Star Trek memorabilia for all you Trekkies.
“It’s the twentieth anniversary of Voyager, so there will be authentic costumes from the series,” he continued.
While the actual event is on the weekend, there will be a special screening of the movie “Serenity” at the Movie Mill at 9 p.m. (show begins at 9:30 p.m.) on Friday, Nov. 13. Admission is $10 with proceeds being donated to charity including the Lethbridge Boys and Girls Club.
He is excited abut his dedicated sponsors who are pumped to be part of this year’s Expo.
Kapow Comics is sponsoring Phil LaMarr’s appearance this year.
Odland is expecting a good turnout to the event.
“It gives them an opportunity to have an experience. And to meet celebrities. If they aren’t signing autographs or doing photo ops, you can go right up to them and talk to them. It’s an experience similar to a bigger convention,” he said.
The Lethbridge Entertainment Expo is 10 a.m.-7 p.m., Saturday, Nov. 14 and 10 a.m.-5 p.m., Sunday, Nov. 15.
Admission is $20 for the day, $35 for the weekend and kids 10 and under get in free with a paid admission.
