Smallville Comiccon: June 21-22, 2014

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In 2012 a small grassroots campaign asked the question, "Is Hutchinson, Kansas the real Smallville?"

The interest and outpouring of support was so tremendous it resulted in the Mayor issuing a proclamation in 2013, declaring the city would officially change its name to "Smallville" for a single day. It was such a great success it ignited a dream to capture the community's excitement and energy into an annual comic book and pop culture convention in recognition of Hutchinson as Smallville.

Please join us and experience the very first annual Smallville Comiccon, June 21-22, 2014; hosted on the historic Kansas State Fairgrounds. The Mayor is issuing a proclamation declaring the city will once again rename itself "Smallville" in honor of the celebration!

Efforts are underway to attract celebrities, artists, writers, and vendors from all realms of pop culture fandom: comic, movie, science fiction, gamer, fantasy, steam-punk, and anime!

Check us out at Smallville Comic Con | Smallville Comic Con and make plans to brag to your friends you were there to usher in the first ever Comiccon within Smallville, Kansas!

 

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Guest celebrities confirmed at this time include Alaina Huffman (Abaddon on Supernatural), Michael Coleman (Happy on One Upon A Time), and Aaron Smolinski (baby Clark Kent in Superman: The Movie and recently a Man of Steel cameo). Additional negotiations are underway!

Follow us on Facebook/Smallville Comic-Con and at Smallville Comic Con | Smallville Comic Con.

 

[Bonanza]

The first annual Smallville Comiccon is just around the corner! June 21-22, 2014! Preparations have been ongoing to make this an event to remember!

Celebrities include Phil Morris, Alaina Huffman, Michael Coleman, and Aaron Smolinski!

Writers and artists include: Seth Peck, Rick Stasi, Neo Edmund, Gerry Kissell, A.R. Crebs, Kip Mussatt, Darryl Woods, Bryan Bradley, D.R. Studios, Michele Henke-Lady Myuu, Luke Reyes, A.D. Trosper, Brent Fairchild, Eric Weathers, Chip Reese, Kim Cotterell, John Osborn, Jae Wells, Byers Art, and Alfred Trujillo!

Cosplay Artists include: Danny and Heather Kelley, AZ Powergirl, Blessaidlee, Lana Lethal, and the Iron Brothers of Topeka!

Comedy and Musical Entertainment by Beard & Bean and Clearly Guilty!

Be photographed with replicas of the Delorean Time Machine from Back to the Future, the General Lee from Dukes of Hazzard, the Bandit Trans Am from both Smokey and the Bandit I and II, along with Sheriff Buford T. Justice's patrol car and the Snowman's Tractor-trailer Rig (Coors not included)!

Charity events to include an autographed collectibles auction!

Magic the Gathering Tournament sponsored by Midknight Games!

All parking at the official hotel and the event is FREE! That's right, FREE parking at your room and FREE parking at the Smallville Comiccon!

Discount tickets are available online until June 1, 2014; but will only be $20 for adults at the door! No where else can you get all this entertainment and fan celebration for this low cost!

Official event t-shirts are also available for pre-order online until June 1st to guarantee your size!

Our town has changed its name for this event! Make plans to travel to Smallville, Kansas and be a part of the first ever, Smallville Comiccon! Located on the historic Kansas State Fairgrounds it will be an exciting time you don't want to miss!

Follow us online at Smallville Comic Con | Smallville Comic Con and on Facebook/SmallvilleComic-Con.

We look forward to seeing you here!

 

[Cardinal]

Good luck with this. Looks fun. Unfortunately I'm in Australia so won't make it although compensation is that Michael Rosenbaum is coming to Sydney on the 13th-15th June.

 

[Bonanza]

The first annual Smallville ComicCon held on June 21-22, 2014 was attended by close to 2500 fans. Over 1400 fans signed the guest book from throughout Kansas along with guests traveling from Alabama, Arizona, Arkansas, California, Florida, Missouri, Nebraska, New Mexico, Oklahoma, Oregon, Texas, Virginia, and Wisconsin, as well as France and Germany.

On Saturday, vendors overwhelmingly reported reaching their event goals within the first three hours of the doors opening. Then on Sunday, fans depleted both ATMs by 2:00 pm; an occurrence the servicing company reported had never happened to them before.

Media outlets across the nation covered the success of this first year “comic book and pop culture convention;” including the SyFy Channel’s Wil Wheaton Project. Internet searches even identify a fan blog published in France who reported on the event. “To receive this kind of attention around the world for a first year convention has left us speechless,” says creator and promoter Jon Robinson.

Many fans dressed up as their favorite costumed characters and joined in the costume contest with guest judges, Neo Edmund, Rick Stasi, and Danny and Heather Kelley; who each had a tough time choosing winners from all the great entries.

Even the celebrity guest stars were having a great time. Jon’s wife Heather along with Alaina Huffman and Phil Morris ambushed Michael Coleman’s panel with Michael’s favorite food, ice cream sandwiches. Michael shared the treats with the audience and demonstrated to the fans his proper ritual for eating an ice cream sandwich.

The replica movie car attraction included a Back to the Future DeLorean Time Machine, Dukes of Hazard General Lee, and the Bandit Trans Am from Smokey and the Bandit. Fans wanting to get up close and personal with the vehicles provided free will donations totaling $1,135.86 which are being split between the Wounded Warrior Project and the Reno County American Red Cross. “We wanted to help with the heroic services these organizations perform every day. A special “thank you” to everyone who donated these true heroes.”

Jon admits he and his family have never created, organized, or hosted such an event prior, and the lessons learned were numerous. Fans have provided very constructive feedback which is being taken very seriously. However for the most part, attendees were extremely complimentary about all aspects, including the available security. Event security was handled by Sean Harper and his Hutchinson-based 360 Security Operations. “Sean’s personnel are the most professional for the job; they are all certified law enforcement and corrections officers. We were honored to have Heroes like them keep watch over us 24-hours a day throughout the convention. They will definitely be back for our 2015 show.”

According to Jon, there were also exceptional comments regarding the event staff which consisted mainly of Jon’s immediate family and their closest friends; “all my sisters, brother, nieces, nephews, my mother and aunt, extended in-laws, and our children pitched in to keep activities running.” Jon says their long hours and camaraderie contributed to the positive family atmosphere and he could not be more grateful for their efforts and hard work. “This is something which will never change in the many years to come. We are a family and will continue to produce a family show. We want everyone to feel as if they are at home in Smallville.”

From the fans to vendors, artist to writers, and cosplayers to celebrities, it truly seems everyone had a great time in Smallville, Kansas attending the 1st Annual Smallville ComicCon. You can visit them online at Facebook/Smallville Comic-Con or at their website www.smallvillecomiccon.com.

Plans are already well underway for next year’s Smallville ComicCon scheduled for Saturday-Sunday, June 20-21, 2015, to be held once again on the Kansas State Fairgrounds.