Don't be surprised to see these people in costume a week before Hallowe'en

The downtown core will be overtaken by by costumed superheroes, game characters and Japanese animation characters this weekend during a convention which outgrew its former home.

Sault Ste. Marie’s own anime (Japanese animation), manga (comics) and cosplay (dressing up as a favourite character) convention, called Mari-Con, will be held this Saturday at the Grand Theatre on Queen Street.

It’s a change of venue for the convention (or con), having previously been held at the Moose Lodge on Trunk Road.

Event organizer Maemaengwahn 'Maems' Fam-Ducharme said the move to a bigger, more central location will be a positive one as the con expands.

“That’s exciting for us,” she said.

There are panel discussions planned and info sessions where participants can talk about everything from their favororite series, to voice acting, a concert, skits and video game tournaments.

“We have almost everything that a major con has crammed into one day,” said Fam-Ducharme.

Attendees are encouraged to dress up as their favourite characters from comics, movies or practically anything else.

“If you’re a fan of something and you don’t think anyone else is then come out this weekend and I guarantee you’ll find someone else who is,” said Fam-Ducharme.

She said cosplay is optional, but encouraged.

“Before we started this I had no idea how many people in the Sault were fans of anime and comics,” she said.

Pre-order tickets are $15 or $20 at the door.

(PHOTO: File photo of Mari-Con 2012. Darren Taylor/SooToday)