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Posted Mar. 19, 2016
DOLORES M. BERNAL
Thousands of people from across Delaware and out of state are expected to attend at Galactic Con 2016 in Middletown this weekend. Here are some of the few we saw on Saturday.
Posted March 19, 2016 6:14 p.m.
From a far, far away galaxy Star War’s Darth Vader paid a visit to his fans at Galactic Con in Middletown on Saturday. Our reporter decided to follow this mysterious and quiet character around and see how people reacted to him.
Proud fans of “geek” art, as they called it, flooded into Middletown Saturday dressed as the comic book characters Harley Quinn, Captain America, Hell Boy, and others.
The second annual Galactic Con – a cultural convention for fans of art forms such as comic books, video games, and Japanese animation – began Saturday at the MTown Sports Complex on U.S. 301. Organizers expected 4,000 people for the two-day event, which will continue Sunday. At least 3,000 people attended the event Saturday.
“Hi, I’m in Delaware!” hosts Sarika Jagtiani and Ryan Cormier talk about binging “House of Cards” (no spoilers!), this weekend’s Galactic Con in Middletown, Firefly Music Festival act The 1975, Joan Baez coming to The Grand and more.
If you ask Galactic Con co-founder Joe Manzo how many people he expects at the second-year comic book convention in Middletown this weekend, he lets out a sigh.
You would too.
Manzo unveiled Middletown’s first comic con last year with the thought that there was a market for low-cost, family-friendly conventions. He thought it might draw 500 people.
Comic book art lovers should head over to the Gibby Center for the Arts on Main Street in Middletown for “Influences of the Comic Book Artist” now through March 31. On display at the exhibit is comic book style art from many local artists as well as some student art. The exhibit is part of the many events related to Galactic Con — the two-day comic book convention coming to Middletown on March 19 and 20 at the MTown Sports Complex.
Overflow Parking & Free Shuttles
MTown Sports Center is located in the Levels Business Park. Parking is available in front of the MTown Sports Complex and the Shone Lumber store. You may also park at Home Depot and the Premier Comprehensive Dental lot (across from the Goddard School.) We will have signage on the roads to help you find the overflow spots.
There will be a continuous shuttle running from Home Depot, to the Dental Office, to MTown and back. The drive time without stops is about 7 minutes. Shuttles will start running at 10AM on both days, and will run for an hour after the show closes each day. That will allow plenty of time for everyone to get back to their cars.
Shuttle service is FREE!
Next month, Middletown will once again attract comic book and pop culture fans from across the state for Galactic Con – a unique convention for those still young at heart and in love with their action figures.
An estimated 2,000 people attended last year – its first – packing the gymnasium at Everett Meredith Middle School and leaving superhero fans in Delaware hungry for more.
This time, Galactic Con will be held at a larger venue to accommodate more people – an estimated 3,000 are expected – and it has added an extra day of comic book fun.
“We’ll be at the MTown Sports Complex where there will be more space and elbow room,” Joe Manzo said. “We are also doing a two-day show to give more folks a chance to see more. And, we also plan to have shuttle service from Home Depot to alleviate any parking issues.”
The popularity of comic cons (short for “comic book conventions”) such as Galactic Con’s has to do with the nation’s seemingly endless love of folks with supernatural powers, Manzo said.
