MegaCon 2013 wrapup: Patrick Stewart, Weasley twins, LEGOs, Cosplay and donating blood
A record setting crowd turned out for MegaCon 2013 at the Orange County Convention Center. Patrick Stewart of Star Trek and X-Men fame was joined by James and Oliver Phelps from the Harry Potter series as the headliners on a long guest list.
The large MegaCon banner made from LEGOs
From LEGOs to comic books to movies to popular TV stars the traditional comic book convention has plenty to offer alongside of the thousands of costumed fans.
ALL THE MEGACON NEWS AND PHOTOS HERE
GFLUG, the Greater Florida LEGO Users Group, was on-site with a massive display which welcomed guests with a LEGO MegaCon banner. Scenes from Lost or Harry Potter were built in LEGOs with entire skyscrapers depicting New York as a functioning LEGO train cycled one table.
Adults and kids checked out the amazing work and played with a few on their own at the designated LEGO pit.
Team Fox, assisting the Michael J Fox Foundation, was offering a chance to take a photo graph in a street legal Delorian, tricked out to emulate the famous car from the Back to the Future franchise.
All of the proceeds and donations go to spread the word and “drive to cure Parkinson’s.”
Also across the enormous convention hall was the annual MegaCon blood drive.
James Phelps signs for a fan as the small “No Photo” sign serves as a reminder to those in the area to follow the MegaCon order to meet and greet the guests.
Fans turn out do donate blood every year as last year’s total of 140 pints raised the bar to a new goal of 150 pints for this year’s convention, says Jill, the blood drive’s coordinator.
It’s also noteworthy to point out the enthusiasm of this group, the self-proclaimed “Best Registars” at the table, who were “Rocking out the convention” – thanks again Cindy and Stephanie.
Hundreds of fans gathered and snaked through lines to meet, greet, get autographs and photographs with the stars. The increased crowds have created new challenges for the MegaCon organizer and now increased security and “No Photo” zones are widespread to keep some sense of order.
Some of the fans clamored around the 501st Legion Star Wars display.
Kids can frolic in a replica of the trash compactor or pose with countless life-like Stormtroopers or characters from the popular franchise.
One unique moment enable me to snap a photo of Darth Vader from the 501st who was visiting with David Prowse, who played Vader in the early trilogy. (see photo below)
While that was certainly most impressive, it was Scotty from Star Trek look alike who stopped nearly every fan in their tracks. The man, who is a real life engineer, even offers snapshots on a Trek bridge with “Scotty” scribbled as a standin autograph. He may not be the late James Doohan, but you may be hard pressed to tell – see the photo below for yourself.
With record setting pre-sales of tickets, the turnout was amazing and there is certainly no shortage of activities or people to see.
Look forward to seeing you next year. Keep up to date with the latest news on their site here.
All photos by Brandon Jones, The Global Dispatch
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