Bryan Shuerger of the 501st Legion's Tampa Bay Squad came dressed as Darth Vader
Photo by Ian Swaby
Siesta Key
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Branan Jacobs and his friend Tony Vongsakhamphouy grew up at a time when the Mighty Morphin Power Rangers were a cultural phenomenon.
Like the other kindergarteners, they owned merchandise, including shirts and toys, and acted out the show.
Yet when they visited the second annual Siesta Con on May 10, they finally had the chance to meet Walter Emanul Jones, who played Zack Taylor, the first Black Ranger.
"It's fun to finally get to meet him — he did not disappoint," said Vongsakhamphouy.
Held at Robarts Arena by the local comics store The Dark Side, the event featured additional celebrity guests, a costume contest, trading card tournaments, vehicles from media franchises, and other offerings, including comics and various items for sale.
Attendee Serenity Allinder came from North Port for the event, her first comic con in 10 years, and she said she was having a "great time."
"This is a lot bigger than I thought it was going to be too," said her friend Mistry Greeley. "It's really cool."
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Doug Vaters of St. Pete built this model of Chitty Chitty Bang Bang.
Photo by Ian Swaby
Patrick Alexander and his son Henry Alexander, 4, watch the swordplay demonstration.
Photo by Ian Swaby
Brandon Hinnenkamp, Rob Righter, Guy Norman and Autumn Norman of the Suncoast Ghostbusters met Sarasota's Hudson Fergeson, 9, his sister Madeline Ferguson, 5, their cousin Henry Nguyen, 5, uncle Nam Nguyen, and cousin Oliver Nguyen, 8
Photo by Ian Swaby
Derek Meacock, 7, tries his hand at swordplay with the Society for Creative Anachronism.
Photo by Ian Swaby
Bryan Shuerger of the 501st Legion's Tampa Bay Squad came dressed as Darth Vader
Photo by Ian Swaby
Branan Jacobs and Tony Vongsakhamphouy of Sarasota met Walter Emanuel Jones (center), who played Zack Taylor, the Black Power Ranger in Mighty Morphin Power Rangers.
Photo by Ian Swaby
Comics, memorabilia and other items were sold at the event.
Photo by Ian Swaby
Jenny Romero and her husband Orlando Fernández meet Bryan Shuerger of the 501st Legion's Tampa Bay Squad, who dressed as Darth Vader.
Photo by Ian Swaby
Cleo Warn, dressed as Dr. Harley Sawyer from Poppy Playtime, participates in the dance by ShimmyBOOM Bellydance.
Photo by Ian Swaby
Dean Pope, 4, his mom Betsy Pope, and sister Yuri Pope, 2, enjoy the festive atmosphere.
Photo by Ian Swaby
Alexis Sullivan and her father Chris Sullivan dressed as Wednesday Addams and Uncle Fester.
Photo by Ian Swaby
John Rozdaal and Thomas die Voecht of the Society for Creative Anachronism engage in combat.
Photo by Ian Swaby
Eugene Nock of Longboat Key (pictured with his son Garrett Nock, 17) owns a Batmobile from the 1960s "Batman" TV series starring Adam West, which he showcased at the event.
Photo by Ian Swaby
Beau Bailey and his children Annie Bailey, 13, Kaley Bailey, 6, James Bailey, 8 and Abby Bailey, 11, meet Bryan Shuerger of the 501st Legion's Tampa Bay Squad, dressed as Darth Vader.
Photo by Ian Swaby
Amelia Noriega, her daughter Autumn Noriega and Autumn's boyfriend Kevin Mendez wore costumes themed to "Adventure Time."
Photo by Ian Swaby
Sasha Lioce, Liz Hall, Misha Nell, Amy Sietsma, Laura Cullumbine and Emma Sietsma of ShimmyBOOM Bellydance offer live entertainment.
Photo by Ian Swaby
Ryan Schwab of Sarasota came as "Pool Party Pool."
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.
