Fans, cosplayers and celebrities blast off for GalaxyCon Richmond

Jacián Perez, Contributing Writer 

Thousands of fans, cosplayers and pop culture enthusiasts packed the Greater Richmond Convention Center from March 27 to March 30 for GalaxyCon Richmond, a four-day celebration of fandoms spanning video games, television, film and anime. GalaxyCon Richmond aimed to foster a space where fans could engage with their favorite franchises beyond the internet, according to the event’s website.

The event featured panels, autograph signings, vendor booths and interactive experiences. Attendees traveled from across Virginia and beyond to meet celebrities, shop for unique merchandise and connect with fellow fans. 

GalaxyCon has grown into a major pop culture event since its beginning in 2006, hosting a variety of attractions including an Artist Alley featuring independent creators, a gaming area and even an on-site tattoo studio.

This year’s guest lineup featured a mix of Hollywood stars, voice actors and creators. John Carpenter, director of “Halloween” and “The Thing,” was among the guests. Also in attendance was Jerry Trainor, known for his roles in “iCarly” and “Drake & Josh.” 

Fans of animation and children’s television could meet Kathleen Herles, the original voice actress of “Dora the Explorer,” as well as Bob West, the longtime voice of Barney in “Barney & Friends.“ “Phineas and Ferb” fans also had the chance to interact with voice actors Vincent Martella and David Errigo Jr.

The convention provided a rare opportunity to engage in person with fellow fans. Lindsay Hawks, a fourth-year theatre student and cosplayer, said she was particularly excited about shopping from independent vendors.

“I’m looking forward to buying ‘Persona’ merch and then supporting vendors that come here,” Hawks said.

Twin attendees Kaitlyn Saunders and Alicia Saunders dressed as characters from the video game “Genshin Impact.” They said their favorite part of the convention was exploring the art vendors.

“I think we like checking out the little stalls around Artist Alley,” Alicia Saunders said.

Kaitlyn and Alicia Saunders said this was their first cosplay together, and they just wanted to have fun and wear matching outfits.

GalaxyCon has become an annual tradition for some. Isabelle Tuckwiler, her sister Elena Tuckwiler and their friend Allison Murphy have attended every year since 2019.

“This is kind of like our tradition. We do it every year,” Elena Tuckwiler said. “We’ve been going here since 2019, when they first started coming here. So, it’s just kind of a tradition. It’s a little recurring thing that we do.”

Murphy said they attend annually with her friends to document their experiences to share with others.

“Every year we do a little mini vlog for our friend group that goes, and I think it’s really fun getting to watch, relive the moment,” Murphy said.

Even those working the event said they found moments to appreciate. Jo Starkes, a handler for celebrity interactions, said they enjoyed walking around and seeing cosplayers between shifts.

GalaxyCon After Dark: A Late-Night Fandom Experience

While the main convention activities wrapped up in the evening, GalaxyCon kept its doors open until 2 a.m. for its 18-plus after-dark sessions, offering mature-themed events for adult attendees.

The After Dark Cosplay Competition encompassed the more mature elements of cosplay, as a runway competition was held to crown the “sexiest cosplayer.”

Saturday night’s Cosplay Cabaret brought a more classic performance style to the limelight with “Nerdlesque.”

Vendors continued being present with the After Dark Market opening once the daytime vendor floor closed, offering a selection of adult-oriented merchandise including explicit artwork, collectibles, CBD products and adult toys catering to different facets of fandom.

Based on what guests stated, another successful year of GalaxyCon Richmond wrapped up on March 30. Fans left with collectibles, memories and a stronger sense of belonging within the Richmond nerd community.