The Santa Clarita Valley has discovered its inner geek by hosting the first ever SCV Comic Con over the weekend.
Over 500 people united in costume and comradery at LIMS Studio in Castaic by participating in panels discussing relevant pop culture, playing table top games such as Dungeons and Dragons and more during the three-day event.
“The Santa Clarita Valley is reaching this new horizon,” said 18-year-old Saugus resident RJ Bulanadi, who was in attendance.
Seventy vendors, artists, entertainment celebrities and special guests were brought in for the convention.
One such vendor was 17-year-old Saugus resident, Lance Shaner, who travels with his family selling comic-book-themed merchandise. His family has gone as far as Las Vegas to sell their goods and Shaner is quite happy to finally have a comic con in his own backyard.
“It’s really nice,” said Shaner. “We only had to travel 14 minutes to get here.”
This if the fifth convention that Gabriel Vega has organized and he insists that he knows what he is doing.
“I fart conventions,” said Vega.
It is evident that Vega is passionate about them as well. His voice starts to tremble and his eyes well up when he talks about the pride he feels creating conventions for a living.
“It’s the best decision I have ever made in my life,” he said.
Twenty years ago, Vega changed his stars, took a “substantial pay-cut” and made the decision to do what he really desired for a living, which is make conventions and live theatre.
“I have made so many friends on this journey,” he said.
Vega says the comic con has been a success. He got close to double the attendance he was expecting and is already planning to host another one in six months at the same location.
“This has been a really good bonding moment for the Santa Clarita Valley geek community,” said Vega.
