Not every convention has to be the size of San Diego Comic-Con to be fun. This past weekend in downtown Tampa, Florida, the Fanboy Expo brought celebrities and their fans together for three days of pop culture excitement.
Though its exhibit hall was small, Fanboy Expo Tampa packed in people around many booths filled with merchandise, surrounded by approachable celebrities along the walls and in nearby rooms. Add in plenty of cosplayers and this convention easily kept everyone’s attention – at least for a few hours.
Among the top billing celebrities were Scott Wilson (Hershel from AMC’s “The Walking Dead”) and Lee Majors (Steve Austin in “Six Million Dollar Man”).
Other noteworthy names included Efren Ramirez (Pedro from “Napoleon Dynamite”), Greg Ellis (“”Pirates of the Caribbean,” “Star Wars Rebels”), and Steve Blum (“Star Wars Rebels”). Look for an interview with Ellis and Blum on Inside the Magic soon.
Straight out of the ’80s, famous cartoon voices were at Fanboy Expo, including Larry Kenney (Lion-O) and Peter Newman (Tygra) from “Thundercats” and Samantha Newark (Jem/Jerrica) from “Jem and the Holograms.”
Did you know that Kenney also voiced Count Chocula and Newark is in a Texas-based “Pink Floyd” tribute band? These are the things Fanboy Expo can teach you.
91-year-old Erik Bauersfeld was there, best known for exclaiming “It’s a trap!” as Admiral Ackbar in “Star Wars.”
Teddy Bear Girl herself Addy Miller was there from “The Walking Dead,” looking rather grown up outside of her familiar pink fluffy robe – and minus the zombie makeup.
Also meeting and greeting with fans were a smattering of professional wrestlers from the past, along with a few other familiar TV and movie faces.
Cosplay was in full effect with fun costumes featuring Anna and Elsa from “Frozen,” along with plenty of Marvel, DC, Ghostbusters, Star Wars, and Doctor Who.
This touring convention moves on to Knoxville, TN with a new lineup of celebrities that includes Henry Winkler, Peter Mayhew, and Linda Blair, along with some of the same names.
More photos from Fanboy Expo 2014 in Tampa, Florida: