Ancient City Con 2018 Brings Wakanda to St. Augustine
On Friday, September 7th Ancient City Con 2018 opened at the World Golf Village Renaissance St. Augustine Resort. This 3-day event was a hub of activity for pop culture fans.
The World Golf Village Renaissance St. Augustine Resort. Sept. 9 2018. (Photo: Mal Carney)
Ancient City Con's website describes the event as "Northeast Florida's premier convention."
This pop culture convention offers many of the same experiences as larger conventions, such as MegaCon Orlando.
Ancient City Con took a break in 2017, but the convention returned this year under new ownership. A one-day ticket for the convention cost $20 and a weekend pass purchased on Friday cost $35.
The convention was sponsored by local businesses such as d20 Gamespot, Big Daddy Games, VideoGame Rescue, Keg & Coin, Willie Jewel's Bar-B-Q, and Jacksonville Tattoo Convention.
The entrance to the d20 GameSpot Tabletop Game Room at Ancient City Con in St. Augustine. Sept. 9 2018 (Photo: Mal Carney)
These businesses not only sponsored Ancient City Con, they also had a presence at the event. Guests could play video games at the VideoGame Rescue area, compete in Magic: The Gathering tournaments in d20 Gamespot's room, and get tattoos at the Jacksonville Tattoo Convention booth.
The VideoGame Rescue sponsored Free Play Video Game area at Ancient City Con in St. Augustine. Sept. 9 2018 (Photo: Mal Carney)
A sprawling dealer's room and artist alley filled the St. Johns County Convention Center. Here con-goers could purchase merchandise. Figures, Funko Pops, video games, comics, plushies, handmade soaps, pins, and more were on display at vendor-run booths.
There were over 70 dealer and artist booths at the convention including Cosmic Comics, ALLE-ENDRO, Jade’s Collectible Vinyl and Such, This That and The Other Anime and Gaming shop, and The Nerd Out.
Many guests came to Ancient City Con in cosplay. Galaxias.Cosplay and Spooky.Hylian arrived at the convention dressed as Lup Taaco and Barry Bluejeans, characters from the popular Dungeons & Dragons podcast, The Adventure Zone.
Glaxias.Cosplay and Spooky.Hylian cosplaying as Lup and Barry Bluejeans from The Adventure Zone at Ancient City Con. Sept. 9 2018 (Photo: Mal Carney)
When asked if they attended conventions often, Galaxias.cosplay stated “[I attend conventions] as often as I can.”
The pair cosplays often. Spooky.Hylian’s favorite character to cosplay is Aoba from Dramatical Murder while Galaxias.Cosplay enjoys cosplaying Lup Taaco from The Adventure Zone.
Celebrity guests were available for photo and autographs. Janeshia Adams-Ginyard of the Black Panther film was just one of the guests who amazed fans at Ancient City Con. Billy West of Futurama, Jason Marsden of Young Justice, and John Anderson of Stranger Things were also in attendance.
Janeshia Adams-Ginyard, John Anderson, and Jason Marsden taking a selfie at Ancient City Con. Sept. 9 2018 (Photo: Mal Carney)
Ancient City Con isn't the only convention that's been hosted at the World Golf Village Renaissance St. Augustine Resort recently. On October 27th, 2017 ExpCon returned to St. Augustine after a 6-year hiatus.
Pop culture fans in St. Augustine often have to travel to larger cities like Orlando or Tampa to enjoy pop culture conventions. With the returns of ExpCon and now Ancient City Con, fans of gaming, literature, film, and anime have a reason to flock to St. Augustine.
Ancient City Con banner in the lobby of the World Golf Village Renaissance St. Augustine Resort. Sept. 9 2018 (Photo: Mal Carney)
For more information on Ancient City Con visit their Facebook page.
Did you attend Ancient City Con? Share your convention stories in the comment section.
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