MAKE SURE YOU start designing your outfit for the Pensacola Para Con because it is right around the corner. Para Con is an annual sci-fi convention that started in 2010. According to Ericka Boussarhane, promoter of the event, she brought it to Pensacola because there was nothing like it here. She wanted to start something that would not only attract celebrities for people to meet but something that played into our historic locations as well.
The convention celebrates a variety of genres and interests like sci-fi, fantasy, gaming, costuming, anime and many others. Guests include Lou Ferrigno, otherwise known as The Hulk, as well as guests from Baywatch , Power Rangers , Ghostbusters , Star Trek , and many more! The events will start Wednesday, Aug. 6 at 7 pm; there will be a We Are Batman screening at the Carmike Cinemas on W Street. On Thursday, Aug. 7 at 7 pm there will be another We Are Batman screening at the Movies 4 on Gulf Breeze Parkway. We Are Batman was created by Brett Culp and examines how we all have an inner Batman and our inner strength. The proceeds from these screenings will go to the Special Olympics Florida. On Friday, Aug. 8, there will be a dinner for “Super Hero Day” at Ollie’s Neighborhood Grill on W. Nine Mile Road at 7 pm. Saturday, Aug. 9, brings the real excitement. The Pensacola Fair Grounds Expo Hall gates open at 9:30 am for the VIP and 10 am for general admission for the Para Con and it will end at 6 pm. At 8 pm the “Geek Rock Revolution” starts at Vinyl. Tickets are $15 online and $20 at the door.
The Plaid Jackets, Kiss tribute band, Shadow Clone, First Jason and Wyzae as ZombG will all be performing. Sunday, Aug. 10, wraps up Para Con. Gates open again at 9:30 am for the VIP and 10 pm for general admission. This is the last day, so make it count! There are a variety of different packages available at pensacolaparacon.com for purchase that include t-shirts, bags, event tickets and party bus tickets. General admission tickets are also available at the doors on Saturday and Sunday. A portion of the money raised will go to EscaRosa Coalition on the Homeless (ECOH), Special Olympics Florida, Making Strides Against Breast Cancer (MSABC), Arc Gateway and Ronald McDonald House. Also the Epilepsy Foundation Florida will have a stand inside taking donations. This year Para Con will stand out from all the other years. Boussarhane said this year they have more celebrities than they have ever had before. Many of the celebrities are very well-known.
“This year focuses on the inner hero,” said Boussarhane. “Two of our guests are hearing impaired and several of the guests have children with autism. So I looked at this year and what is different would be the charity focus and the focus to let everyone know that despite how you’re born they are superheroes.”
Make sure not to miss this action-filled event. For more information on Para Con visit pensacolaparacon.com.