Collectibles and characters abound at SarasotaCon

By Ian Swaby
| 8:30 a.m. August 12, 2024

Jing Wu, Savana Byrne and Mei-Li Thompson

Sarasota
Neighbors

Sarasota's August Kane thoroughly enjoys the community spirit at SarasotaCon, even from his spot at the entrance.

Each year, he's eager to come and volunteer at the event, which celebrates pop culture with comics, other items and collectibles, and plenty of attendees in costume.

"It's fun. Family friendly. Kids come out. Costumes, arts, crafts, locals. It's just so much joy, something to do around here. Carmine cares a lot about these people," he said, referring to organizer Carmine De Santo.

During the event, held Aug. 10 at the Carlisle Inn & Conference Center, the community put on its best face — or rather, faces — with plenty of elaborate costumes, as well as a costume contest.

It also brought Tami Erin of the 1998 film "The New Adventures of Pippi Longstocking," the "Baby" vehicle from the TV series "Supernatural," and a modified DeLorean mimicking the one from "Back to the Future."

"It's my first con. It's fantastic, and I love the fact that the community comes out for it," said attendee Nicholas Thomas.

Max Nordstrom, 10, and Mark Nordstrom recreate the poster of "Back to the Future Part II" with James O'Brien's modified DeLorean.

Gina Torres' dog Luna, dressed as "X-Dog," finds a cozy spot at a vendor booth by Bath Fitter.

TJ Glaser, dressed as Felix Renault, a fireball-tossing character he created in Dungeons and Dragons, and Rehana Quadir, dressed as Vi from League of Legends

Gabriel Hammond, 5, and Kellie Hammond discover the swords on display with the help of Boris Bufano.

Brett Muncie built this costume of Jango Fett from the "Star Wars" franchise 22 years ago, incorporating an official costume helmet he repainted and fitted with welding glass. However, his son Ethan Muncie, 21, has grown into the suit.

Nora Burgess, 2, Izzy Burgess, 4, Everett Burgess, 7 and Peter Burgess, 9

Brigg Wallace, 10 and Denali Richman, 10, dressed as Blue Link and Green Link from "The Legend of Zelda: Four Swords Adventures."

author

Ian Swaby

Ian Swaby is the Sarasota neighbors writer for the Observer. Ian is a Florida State University graduate of Editing, Writing, and Media and previously worked in the publishing industry in the Cayman Islands.