Branson Con is a Comic Con and Pop Culture Convention March 8 – 10th in Branson Missouri. I had the pleasure to do a phone interview with Andrea Smith, the con organizer, about their inaugural year.
Andrea and I have known each other for a few years, both of us are part of the local con scene. She is always super sweet and kind. I appreciated her taking a few minutes out of her schedule to talk to me.
Me: Andrea, what motivated the creation of BransonCon?
Andrea: Branson hosted another comic con for a few years that recently moved back to Springfield, where they originally began. This left an opportunity to create a con for Branson, since there was already a following for a convention in Branson. So we took it on to continue the tradition. Branson also has a great central location to draw attendees from Arkansas and Missouri.
Me: How many attendees are you expecting for your first year?
Andrea: We are expecting anywhere from 2500-5000 attendees this year. This is based on the comparable of other cons in the area.
Me: What can people expect to see at BransonCon?
Andrea: BransonCon is a comic con/pop culture convention. We will have items and activities for all fandomas and all ages. BransonCon will have a Kid Zone where children can play, do activities and crafts. Also children under 10 get in for Free to the event. Our vendor room will have specialty items, collectibles, toys, comics, crafts, jewelry and more. We will also have artists and writers on the floor as well. We have panels and activities for the adults as well. Bruce Holt is running a shield building workshop, where attendees can learn to build their own foam shield. Which is great for LARPers in the area. Our big exciting aspect of our con is our cosplay contest. We are offering over $5000 cash for prizes in 4 categories: Youth, Novice, Master, and Exhibition.
Me: Who are your special guests?
Andrea: Branson Con 2019 celebrity guests will include: Sean Gunn (Guardians of the Galaxy and Gilmore Girls), Nicholas Brendon (Buffy the Vampire Slayer and Criminal Minds), Chad Lindberg (The Fast and the Furious and Supernatural), Scott Velvet (Game of Pawns), Andy Field (Five Nights at Freddy’s: Sister Location), Joe Gaudet (Five Night’s at Freddy’s: Ultimate Custom Night) and Chuck Huber (Dragon Ball Z). We are super excited to have all of these guests. Also the Celebrity Car Museum will have several cars at the convention, including the car that Jessie drove in Fast and the Furious as well as an Impala from Supernatural. Chad Lingberg will be available for photo op with these cars during the weekend.
Me: Is there anything else that you would like our readers to know about BransonCon?
Andrea: Yes we are having a silent auction sponsored by The Celebrity Car Museum to benefit the Boys and Girls Club. We have lots of items that we are excited about. Our big ticket item is the actual motorcycle Norman Reedus rode in the first season of The Walking Dead.
Me: That is awesome. Thanks again Andrea for taking time to talk to me. I appreciate it and look forward to BransonCon 2019.
GeekyKOOL readers here is more information on BransonCon
Website and tickets: www.BransonComicCon.com
Cost: 3 day adult pass $55, 3 day Youth 11-17 $25, 10 and under FREE. You can use the special Code GEEKYKOOL to receive a discount on 3 day passes.
Location: Branson Convention Center
200 S Sycamore St, Branson, MO 65616
Branson, Missouri will serve as host to a new era of comic conventions as it welcomes the inaugural Branson Con to the Hilton Branson Convention Center on March 8th, 9th and 10th.
After the costume contest, March 9th, attendees are invited join Branson Con in the Ballroom of the Branson Convention Center for a Smash Party featuring Switch.It.Up and Machine Gun Symphony. Tickets are $10 at the door, but all Branson Con attendees get in for FREE!
Children 10 and under are FREE to the event and there are a full 3 days of activities and things to do JUST for the kids!
Thanks again for reading this GeekyGirlNess and hope to see you all at BransonCon 2019!
