ESCANABA, Mich. (WZMQ) – Escanaba is going “Back to the BAY-CON” in just a couple of weeks.
On Saturday, May 3, the annual pop culture show will take over the Bay College campus. The event will feature food trucks, trivia competitions, and vendors selling vintage toys, video games, records, art, and more.
Also returning this year is the cosplay contest. According to Executive Director of Student Life and Campus Security Dave Laur, attendees are encouraged to dress in costume even if they don’t want to participate in the contest.
“From babies dressed up to those who are young at heart, the creativity you see is really cool,” he said. “From Jedi walking around to wampas to Power Rangers, the creativity is just amazing.”
Guests will also have an opportunity to meet three celebrity guests. Returning this year is Sean Chiplock, a voice actor with credits such as The Amazing Digital Circus and the Legend of Zelda games. Voice actor Nika Futterman—known for her work on a range of media including Star Wars: The Clone Wars, The Loud House, and the Final Fantasy game series—will also be in attendance, along with original Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles artist Steve Lavigne.
“All these folks will be selling autographs and pictures and interacting with their fans,” Laur said. “It’s a really cool opportunity.”
The show will also feature a DeLorean, which Laur says is fitting. Between finding retro memorabilia and meeting the voices and artists behind beloved media franchises, strolling through BAY-CON is a bit like traveling back in time.
“With so much going on in the world that seems to try to tear us apart, it’s really cool to have something so positive,” said Laur. “People just come together, united over a shared enjoyment of pop culture. It’s really rewarding to see folks rediscover that piece from their childhood and for just a minute, they’re six years old again opening that present, seeing that toy that they forgot.”
Laur says Back to the BAY-CON fits well with Bay College’s mission of student success, community success, and a culture of success. There is no admission fee, but there is a recommended donation of $5 for guests ages 10 and older. The funds raised will go toward student clubs and resources.
Back to the BAY-CON will run from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Eastern Time. This year’s event will take place in the Physical Education Complex, with certain programming happening in the Besse Center, Cafe Bay, and the library.
For more information on Back to the BAY-CON, including cosplay contest guidelines, click here. This year’s sponsors are Radio Results Network, Wiles Food Services, Mancave Dave, and Highline.
