Lexington Comic Con: Guide for celebrities, tickets, vendors, photo-ops at convention

Blake Hannon, Christopher Leach
·5 min read
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The Lexington Comic and Toy Convention, commonly referred to as Lexington Comic Con or LexCon, will kick-off its 12th gathering in 2024 this weekend in downtown Lexington.

Over the past 11 events, the attendance numbers, activities, vendors and the celebrity guests just keep growing. While the popular annual Lexington event has fans from across the country and globe who make it a point to attend every year, a big reason the convention keeps growing is someone decided to attend for the first time — and found their inner geek.

With that in mind, here is a handy how-to guide for first-time attendees to let them know what to expect this year at the Central Bank Center.

Comics for sale on the exhibit floor during the 2022 Lexington Comic and Toy Convention at the Central Bank Center in Lexington, Ky. on Sunday, March 27, 2022. Vendors were selling rare toys and collectibles, comics, art work and pop culture goods from their booths.
Comics for sale on the exhibit floor during the 2022 Lexington Comic and Toy Convention at the Central Bank Center in Lexington, Ky. on Sunday, March 27, 2022. Vendors were selling rare toys and collectibles, comics, art work and pop culture goods from their booths.

What is a Comic Con?

Comic Con is short for “comic convention” where fans of graphic stories can meet comic book creators, both writers and artists, while hitting up comic vendors’ boxes and crates to find something new or rare to add to their collection. It has since expanded to encompass toys, collectibles and almost all things related to popular culture.

The Lexington Comic Con event has a heavy emphasis on comics while also bringing in celebrities from the worlds of film, television, voice-over acting, cosplay and professional wrestling.

Patrons, including someone dressed up in cosplay as Bowser from Super Mario Bros., wander the exhibit floor during the 2022 Lexington Comic and Toy Convention at the Central Bank Center in Lexington, Ky. on Sunday, March 27, 2022. Vendors were selling rare toys and collectibles, comics, art work and pop culture goods from their booths.
Patrons, including someone dressed up in cosplay as Bowser from Super Mario Bros., wander the exhibit floor during the 2022 Lexington Comic and Toy Convention at the Central Bank Center in Lexington, Ky. on Sunday, March 27, 2022. Vendors were selling rare toys and collectibles, comics, art work and pop culture goods from their booths.

What will I see at Lexington Comic Con?

While some people may come to Lexington Comic Con for the art, shopping or celebrity meet-and-greets, autographs and photos, the event’s major emphasis will be hard to miss once you approach the convention space in the Central Bank Center.

“You’re going to know you are at a comic-related event very quickly. You will see Spider-Man and Deadpool within the first 60 seconds,” said Jarrod Greer, promoter for the event.

The actual layout, or map, of the event space will have a vendor floor on Level 3, followed by photo ops and rooms for celebrity panels taking place on Level 2. Level 1 will be the convention’s main ballroom area where most of the event’s celebrity guests will be stationed for meet-and-greets.

The schedule for the four-day convention includes cosplay events, celebrity Q&A panel sessions, game rooms, parties, photo-ops and more.

From left, Barbara Eden, Shannon Doherty, Holly Marie Combs and James Van Der Beek will be at Lexington Comic Con this weekend.
From left, Barbara Eden, Shannon Doherty, Holly Marie Combs and James Van Der Beek will be at Lexington Comic Con this weekend.

What celebrities will be at Lexington Comic Con?

There will be over 100 celebrity guests at the convention, ranging from TV to film stars to comic creators to wrestlers.

The celebrity guest list from TV and movies includes names you will recognize including:

▪ James Van Der Beek: Dawson Leery from ‘Dawson’s Creek’

▪ David McCormack: Australian musician and voice of the animate character Bandit Heeler in “Bluey”

▪ Catherine Tate: British actress known for “The Office” and “Dr. Who”

▪ Holly Marie Combs, Shannon Doherty: Two of the three Halliwell sisters from the WB series “Charmed”

▪ Barbara Eden: Played Jeannie in the sitcom “I Dream of Jeannie,” starred alongside Elvis Presley as Roslyn Pierce in “Flaming Star”

▪ Muriel Fahrion: The creator of the Strawberry Shortake cartoon franchise

▪ Don Bluth: American filmmaker known for directing the animated films “The Land Before Time,” “All Dogs Go to Heaven,” “Anastasia” and “Titan A.E.”

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Actor Erik Estrada meets with fans before taking a picture during the 2022 Lexington Comic and Toy Convention at the Central Bank Center. Celebrities are available to meet, for autographs and pictures.
Actor Erik Estrada meets with fans before taking a picture during the 2022 Lexington Comic and Toy Convention at the Central Bank Center. Celebrities are available to meet, for autographs and pictures.
Actor David Koechner meets with fans before taking a picture during the Lexington Comic and Toy Convention at the Central Bank Center in Lexington, Ky. on Sunday, March 27, 2022.
Actor David Koechner meets with fans before taking a picture during the Lexington Comic and Toy Convention at the Central Bank Center in Lexington, Ky. on Sunday, March 27, 2022.

Can I get my picture taken with celebrity guests?

Yes there will be photo-ops. But, depending on which celebrity you want to meet, it may require some patience and your pocketbook.

Event organizers said the bigger celebrity guests will all usually have a longer line and a shorter face-to-face experience. While actually meeting any celebrity at Lexington Comic Con won’t cost you anything but time in line, things like autographs and a photo will cost something and every celebrity has a different price range. Pictures or autographs for most celebrities cost anywhere from $40-60.

Also, attendees may have to choose between a brief encounter in a longer line or a more meaningful encounter with a lesser-known guest.

A patrons looks over items for sale from a vendor on the exhibit floor during the 2022 Lexington Comic and Toy Convention at the Central Bank Center in Lexington, Ky. on Sunday, March 27, 2022. Vendors were selling rare toys and collectibles, comics, art work and pop culture goods from their booths.
A patrons looks over items for sale from a vendor on the exhibit floor during the 2022 Lexington Comic and Toy Convention at the Central Bank Center in Lexington, Ky. on Sunday, March 27, 2022. Vendors were selling rare toys and collectibles, comics, art work and pop culture goods from their booths.

What kind of stuff can I buy at Lexington Comic and Toy Convention?

Other than just about any kind of graphic novel or comic you can think of, you can purchase rare toys and collectibles, art work and pop culture goods from vendors ranging from leather goods and bags to wood carvings. There are even vintage video games for sale.

A young patron dressed in Spider-man cosplay gets his picture taken with someone dressed in cosplay as Bowser from Super Mario Bros., on the exhibit floor during the 2022 Lexington Comic and Toy Convention at the Central Bank Center in Lexington, Ky. on Sunday, March 27, 2022. Vendors were selling rare toys and collectibles, comics, art work and pop culture goods from their booths.

Is LexCon kid-friendly?

Definitely. While families can enjoy themselves no matter which day they decide to attend the four-day event, organizers said Sunday is much calmer with fewer attendees and more room for strollers.

A patron in cosplay as a snowtrooper from the Star Wars franchise greets a fan at the Lexington Comic and Toy Convention at the Central Bank Center in Lexington, Ky. on Sunday, March 27, 2022. Costumes are allowed and cosplay is encouraged at convention.
A patron in cosplay as a snowtrooper from the Star Wars franchise greets a fan at the Lexington Comic and Toy Convention at the Central Bank Center in Lexington, Ky. on Sunday, March 27, 2022. Costumes are allowed and cosplay is encouraged at convention.

Can I dress up? Is there a costume contest?

Costumes are definitely allowed and cosplay is encouraged at Lexington Comic Con. Part of the fun while walking the exhibit floor is seeing the costumes whether they are homemade or professionally crafted — and don’t be shy to ask someone to have your picture taken with one you like. Also, there is a costume contest held Saturday evening, with prejudging at 5 p.m. and a public showing at 6 p.m.

The cast of the TV show “My Hero Academia” participate in a panel Q&A with fans at the Lexington Comic and Toy Convention at the Central Bank Center in Lexington, Ky. on Sunday, March 27, 2022.
The cast of the TV show “My Hero Academia” participate in a panel Q&A with fans at the Lexington Comic and Toy Convention at the Central Bank Center in Lexington, Ky. on Sunday, March 27, 2022.

Are there Q&As?

Yes. There will be both individual celebrity Q&As and cast Q&A panels this year.

Cast-based panels include “Vanderpump Rules,” the “Valley,” the “Arrow,” Sheryl Lee and Sherilyn Fenn from “Twin Peaks,” Nitro and Ice from the original “American Gladiators,” James Marsters and Charisma Carpenter from “Buffy,” Steve Guttenberg, Tim Kazurinski and Julie Brown from the “Police Academy,” four voice actors from “Bluey,” the cast of “Helluva Boss & Hazbin Hotel” and the cast of “Charmed.”

Patrons, including some dressed up in cosplay, wander the exhibit floor during the 2022 Lexington Comic and Toy Convention at the Central Bank Center in Lexington, Ky. on Sunday, March 27, 2022. Vendors were selling rare toys and collectibles, comics, art work and pop culture goods from their booths.
Patrons, including some dressed up in cosplay, wander the exhibit floor during the 2022 Lexington Comic and Toy Convention at the Central Bank Center in Lexington, Ky. on Sunday, March 27, 2022. Vendors were selling rare toys and collectibles, comics, art work and pop culture goods from their booths.

How much are tickets to Lexington ComicCon?

Ticket prices depend on what day you go and how many days you want to attend.

Tickets are $30 Thursday, which is the “all about comics” day. Few, if any celebrity guests will be there, but attendees can have first dibs to buy from comic vendors.

Admission prices are $50 on Friday and $70 on Saturday. A Saturday evening ticket (4-7 p.m.) is $40. Tickets are $50 for Sunday.

A four-day festival ticket can be purchased for $170 in advance online. Three-day and two-day passes for the convention have already sold out.

Kids 10 and under are free for all days.

Buy tickets online at lexingtoncomiccon.com. Daily tickets also are available at the door, but be warned, Saturday can sell-out.

Comics for sale on the exhibit floor during the 2022 Lexington Comic and Toy Convention at the Central Bank Center in Lexington. Vendors sell rare toys and collectibles, comics, art work and pop culture goods from their booths.
Comics for sale on the exhibit floor during the 2022 Lexington Comic and Toy Convention at the Central Bank Center in Lexington. Vendors sell rare toys and collectibles, comics, art work and pop culture goods from their booths.

Lexington Comic and Toy Convention

When: 6-10 p.m. Thursday, March 7; Noon-8 p.m. Friday, March 8; 10 a.m.-7 p.m. Saturday, March 9; 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Sunday, March 10.

Where: Central Bank Center, 430 W. Vine St.

Tickets: $30-$170

Online: lexingtoncomiccon.com