ConnectiCon wraps up biggest convention yet in Hartford
Thousands of fans of anime, gaming, comics, and pop culture filled the Connecticut Convention Center in Hartford this weekend as ConnectiCon wrapped up what organizers called its biggest convention yet.
The four-day event brought together more than 20,000 attendees, along with artists, voice actors, and other industry professionals from around the world.
For Keava Bonner and Alex Zavalos, the convention has become more than a place to celebrate their favorite fandoms.
Bonner, who cosplayed as Frieren, said her love of anime ultimately led her to finding love.
“I’m a new anime fan, so I just started reading the Frieren manga, and then I just started watching the show and I was like, oh, that looks like a cool costume that she wears. I think I can do that,” Bonner said.
The couple first met at ConnectiCon last year.
“This is our one-year anniversary,” Bonner said. “Last year I was dressed as Sailor Moon, and he came up and asked to take a picture with me. And we kept in touch.”
“I was not dressed up last year. I’m just getting into it also,” Zavalos added.
“So yeah, we had to come back,” Bonner said. “For both of us. We had to come back here to relive the magic.”
The convention floor featured everything from elaborate cosplay and fan meetups to celebrity appearances and vendor booths, bringing together fans from a wide variety of communities.
Among the featured guests was Jon St. John, best known as the voice of the video game character Duke Nukem.
“I just can’t believe the unconditional love that I get from fans,” St. John said. “I guess because they told me they grew up listening to my voice playing video games. So I was a part of their childhood. And now that they’re adult men, you know, they fanboy still over my voice!”
St. John said ConnectiCon also gives him an opportunity to support a cause that’s important to him.
“So I created this event called Romp and Rescue,” he said. “Just in one day, we’ve had eight puppies adopted and we’ve raised thousands of dollars. I’m using my fame to help save doggies.”
From longtime fans to first-time visitors, organizers said ConnectiCon once again brought together thousands of people to celebrate the communities and hobbies they love while creating new memories along the way.
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