Fandom is celebrated at Connecticon XXI in Hartford

HARTFORD, Conn. (WTNH) – Demon hunters, superheroes and fairies all descended on the Connecticut Convention Center on Saturday for Connecticon XXI.

Connecticon is celebrating its 21st anniversary and has grown tenfold since its first convention at the University of Hartford in 2003. Fans attending this weekend’s convention can’t wait to return.

“We actually got here at 6 in the morning, we were the first in line, and we just wanted to explore everything,” said cosplayer Ella Dinardi, dressed as Leon Kennedy from Resident Evil. “This is my first year actually dressing up as something, so… we wanted to have fun, walk around, and look at all the art.”

There were gaming competitions (console and PC), cosplay contests, and vendors. The highlight of the convention for many was the celebrity panels, especially the voice actors.

Jordan Allegretta, a convention attendee, told News 8, “Voice actors hold a special place in our hearts because they aren’t as widely recognizable as on-screen celebrities, so giving them the recognition they deserve is an important part of our con experience.”

Connecticon concludes Sunday morning with a screening of Harry Potter & the Prisoner of Azkaban and a panel on women in voice acting.