Sci-fi, fantasy fans congregate at convention near Cremona

Fans of all things science fiction and fantasy congregated near Cremona recently for the return of the annual Mountain View County Comic-Con, which went on to set a new attendance record

Spotted among a crowd numbering very nearly 1,100 people who on Saturday, Sept. 12 packed into the Mountain View Events Heritage Centre were fans cosplaying as some of their favourite characters.

“Our door counter was just over 1,000 people; 1,099 to be specific,” said Maia Foster, an organizer and director with the Didsbury Municipal Library.

“The venue was really fantastic because it gave a lot of room to spread out and have activities in multiple buildings and outside,” said Foster.

Guest feedback collected by a survey indicated that many visitors came out from all host communities: Sundre, Carstairs, Cremona, Didsbury, and Olds as well as Mountain View County, she said. 

But the homegrown comic convention also enticed other visitors to come out from Calgary, Airdrie, Edmonton, and Rocky Mountain House to name a few. 

Cosplaying favourite characters

And a youth cosplay contest for participants between the ages of 10 and 15 proved to be popular with more than 30 entries, she said. 

“It was really fantastic to see so many homemade creations and interpretations of favourite characters.”

The inaugural event was technically held in 2023, but as three separate-yet-similar comic conventions hosted individually at the public libraries in Olds, Carstairs and Didsbury, Foster had previously told the Albertan by email in response to questions about the event’s history.

“After seeing the success of those programs, we began discussing how we could combine our efforts to create one larger event that would serve the entire region,”she said.

The area’s five public libraries have over the past several years collaborated on other initiatives such as Books for Babies, she said.

“We’ve seen firsthand how cooperation allows us to offer more opportunities and experiences for our communities,” she said, adding the libraries in Cremona and Sundre were eventually brought onboard for the convention, which in 2024 officially debuted in Carstairs.

“One of our goals is to move the event throughout the county so that we can showcase each of our communities and share the benefits of hosting with different locations,” she said, adding the Heritage Centre seemed ideal this year.

“It’s a fantastic venue that has given us room to grow and expand the event.”

Lots to see and do

The organizers also focus on highlighting homegrown talent by featuring artists, authors, creators, and performers from Alberta while offering family-friendly activities.

The event has grown annually since launching, with the inaugural county-wide convention in Carstairs in 2024 welcoming approximately 650 attendees, she said.

Last year, the turnout grew substantially with an estimated 850 people coming out to the Pomeroy Inn and Suite in Olds where the event was hosted.

The convention in part draws its strength from the variety of programs and opportunities offered to attendees, she said.

“In 2024, we hosted a panel of Alberta authors that attracted many aspiring writers interested in learning about the creative process and publishing,” she said.

“Aardnor Miniatures has been a popular guest, showcasing impressive large-scale Dungeons & Dragons terrain builds and sharing insights into miniature and terrain creation,” she elaborated.

“In 2025, Dr. Gregory Blomquist from the University of Alberta presented a fascinating panel on the history of Pokémon that appealed to many longtime fans who have grown up with the franchise.”

Of course no comic book convention is quite complete without at least a few fans donning costumes.

“Cosplay was one of the most popular elements of last year’s event,” she said.

So organizers sought to expand on that this year by inviting four featured cosplay guests including a cosplay artist and stilt walker, as well as the addition of three cosplay contests open to different age groups.

“We’ve also expanded our gaming area with four retro video game stations featuring classic systems, alongside our existing activities, vendors, artists, panels, and family programming.”

The convention is intended to cater to just about everyone, regardless of whether they are experienced comic-con veterans or perhaps curious to check out their first-ever such event, she said.

“Overwhelmingly positive” feedback

To date, the kind of feedback volunteers and organizers have received from attendees “has been overwhelmingly positive. One of the comments we hear most often is how welcoming and inclusive the atmosphere feels,” she said.

“MVC Comic-Con demonstrates what can happen when communities come together around shared interests. It gives local artists and creators a platform to showcase their work, encourages creativity and lifelong learning, and provides a space where people can explore the things they love without judgment.”

The convention also offers an opportunity for fans of sci-fi and fantasy to build or expand their network.

“As organizers, one of the most rewarding things is seeing people connect with others who share their interests,” she said.

“We regularly hear from attendees who made new friends, discovered a new hobby, met a favourite creator, or simply felt comfortable being themselves.”

Putting on such an event is important because arts and culture encompass all kinds of different forms of expression, she said.

“MVC Comic-Con provides an opportunity to celebrate creative mediums that are not always recognized in traditional arts spaces,” she said.

“Through comics, manga, fantasy and science fiction literature, cosplay, gaming, illustration, and storytelling, people can connect with both creators and fellow fans in a welcoming environment.”

Furthermore, as a collaborative effort among the five public libraries, the convention is also a reflection of their shared mission to connect “people with ideas, learning, and each other.”

And in a bid to ensure the event remains accessible to everyone regardless of their financial means, people are welcome to attend at no cost.

“We are able to create an experience that removes financial barriers and encourages participation,” she said, going on to express appreciation on behalf of the organizers to all of the event’s sponsors, volunteers, presenters, vendors, partners, library staff and participants.

“Their generosity, enthusiasm, and support make this event possible,” she said.

Based on the event’s growth to date, organizers are optimistic about the future.

“We’re excited to see how MVC Comic-Con continues to evolve as a welcoming community event that celebrates creativity, imagination, and fandom.”