By Charles Romans
Carter County Times
The Lexington Comic and Toy Convention is coming to the Central Bank Center in Lexington, Kentucky, on September 4. The popular convention returns for a second time this year, opening at noon on Friday and running through 4 pm on Sunday. Jarrod Greer, owner of the Inner Geek stores in Ashland, Kentucky and Huntington, West Virginia, said the goal was to bring a fall convention that was every bit as comprehensive as the original convention held in March each year at the same location.
“I went into this thinking the only way it would work is if it were the exact same convention,” Greer said of the September Lexington Comic and Toy Convention.
Greer had run smaller conventions in the fall, but he said he felt that this year he wanted to make everything available to the public they would expect in March. All things pop culture including celebrities, comic creators, and the panels that made the March convention so enjoyable.
“It has been challenging,” Greer admitted. “There are six conventions going on in the month of September, so this convention is a little more condensed. But that just gives us more room to grow next year as we see what people want in a fall convention.”
One benefit that people attending the convention will see this year is easier access to celebrities, who will be sharing the convention floor for easier access. The main goal though, he said, was to maintain the vibe of the convention so everyone has a great time and can enjoy themselves.
“That’s the main thing,” Greer said. “We want everyone to see who they want to see, get their photo ops, and have a really good time.”
Greer said that was his goal from the first convention, and he still makes that his number one priority.
Tickets are on sale now through the convention website, and Greer said that they can be purchased early or on the day of the show through the same portal. Celebrities at the September LexCon include Jaimie Campbell Bower (Saturday only), known for portraying Vecna in Stranger Things, and King Ezekial (Walking Dead) himself, Khary Payton. The inexhaustibly talented Patton Oswald will be in attendance and ready for photo ops and autographs on Saturday and Sunday.
Fans of Star Trek, the original series won’t want to miss the opportunity to meet the phenomenally talented George Takei for photo ops and autographs on Saturday and Sunday. Takei has a signature style and easily recognizable voice from his career in film, television, and his amazing voice work in animated projects. Fans of the Star Trek franchise will also want to meet the amazing and talented Gates McFadden, who portrayed Dr Beverly Crusher in Star Trek, the Next Generation.
The list of celebrities goes on, including Jed Rees and Missi Pyle from Galaxy Quest and Paul Freeman who is known for multiple projects, but perhaps best known as Dr. Rene Belloq from Raiders of the Lost Ark. Television personality Marc Summers from Double Dare and Unwrapped will be there all weekend to meet fans and have photo ops, as will the amazing Emmy Nominated actor and comedian Kevin Nealon. A full list of celebrities, photo ops, and autographs prices are available on the convention website.
And what would a comic and toy convention be without comic creators? Jay Leisten, whose credits go on forever, will be at the September Lexington Comic and Toy Convention. Justin Stewart, known for Kentucky Kaiju and Bleed Leaders – not to mention the convention’s phenomenal artwork – will also be there all weekend meeting fans and taking commissions. They are joined by Liana Kangas, Matthew Roberts, and Rico Renzi, just to name a few.
Greer said he believes that he and his team have put together a convention that everyone will enjoy.
“The goal was always to make sure there was something for everyone,” he said. “And I believe we have done that. So, everyone needs to come to Lexington this weekend and have a great time.”
Contact the writer at charles@cartercountytimes.com
