SiestaCon continues to bring a comic con experience to Sarasota

Rebecca Johnson noted that growing up in Sarasota, the area didn't have events like comic conventions. 

However, as she explored SiestaCon with her kids, she said they enjoyed coming there each year to see what the event, now in its third year, has to offer. 

She said it was "really cool" that the inspiration came to start such an event in Sarasota, when they are usually identified with larger cities like Tampa, Orlando and Miami. 

Held May 9 at Robarts Arena, SiestaCon drew a steady crowd, with many attendees in costume. However, this year, it also expanded its partnerships within the community.

This year, The Dark Side comic and gaming store, which hosts the event, partnered with Ringling College of Art and Design and CGC: Comics & Collectibles.

Ringling students worked as paid interns, receiving course credit while handling the event's entire promotional campaign, while CGC helped arrange the appearances of two comic artists in attendance. 

The Dark Side owner Brian Polizzi said he was pleased to see the public continuing to show up, while the team has also learned from the past two events.

"This year we've learned a lot," he said. "We've learned what doesn't work in some respects, and now we're pretty well streamlined."