It’s the first weekend of May, bringing both Star Wars Day and Free Comic Book Day this Saturday, May 4. Our spotlight event amid all that geeky goodness in the Convention Connection for week 18 is Fan Expo Dallas 2019. The convention will be held at the Kay Bailey Hutchison Convention Center in Dallas, Texas from Friday, May 3 through Sunday, May 5. Attractions at this year’s event includes a ton of cosplay panels and workshops, the Masters of Cosplay International, qualifying for the Masters of Cosplay Grand Prix, Digicon experience with YouTube and social media creators, tabletop and video gaming, Marvel and DC portfolio reviews, LucasFilm approved tattoo artists, escape rooms, celebrity panels and Q&As, photo ops, exhibitors, convention exclusive merch, and more.
Celebrity and creator guests include:
- Stars of the Back to the Future franchise, including Michael J. Fox, Christopher Lloyd, Lea Thompson, Tom Wilson, and James Tolkan
- The Goonies stars Sean Astin, Ke Huy Quan, and Corey Feldman
- Stars of The Karate Kid franchise Ralph Macchio, Martin Kove, and William Zabka
- Stars of IT Finn Wolfhard, Jack Dylan Grazer, Wyatt Oleff, Chosen Jacobs, Jaeden Lieberher, Jackson Robert Scott, and Jeremy Ray Taylor
- The CW stars John Barrowman, Carlos Valdes, Danielle Panabaker, Rose McIver, Tyler Hoechlin, and Mark Sheppard
- Stars of the Boy Meets World franchise Rider Strong, Danielle Fishel, Will Friedle, and Ben Savage
- Smallville stars Kristin Kreuk, Michael Rosenbaum, and Tom Welling
- Sons of Anarchy‘s Ryan Hurst and Charlie Hunnam
- The Lost Boys stars Jason Patrick and Keifer Sutherland
- My Hero Academia voice actors Chris Sabat, Justin Briner, Clifford Chapin, Colleen Clinkenbeard, Luci Christian, Caitlin Glass, Josh Grelle, David Matranga, Joel McDonald, Brina Palencia, and Kyle Phillips
- Transformers voice actors Peter Cullen and Frank Welker
- Steven Universe voice actors Estelle, Zach Callison, Michaela Dietz, and Deedee Mango
- Teen Titans Go! voice actors Khary Payton, Greg Cipes, and Tara Strong
- Zachary Levi
- Lynda Carter
- William Shatner
- Rainn Wilson
- Summer Glau
- Mike Colter
- Phil LaMarr
- Jeph Loeb
- Jim Lee
- John Byrne
- Drew Struzan
- Doug Mahnke
- Peter Tomasi
- Donny Cates
- Patrick Gleason
- Jae Lee
- Ed McGuinness
- Steve Rude
- Ryan Stegman
- James Tynion IV
…and many more. Tickets can be purchased online or at the door.
Comics & Geek Culture Conventions
Bar Harbor Comic Con 2019: Bar Harbor, Maine; Saturday, May 4.
Great Falls Comic Expo 2019: Auburn, Maine; Saturday, May 4 and Sunday, May 5.
Arctic Comic Con 2019: Anchorage, Alaska; Saturday, May 4 and Sunday, May 5.
Tupelo Con 2019: Tupelo, Mississippi; Saturday, May 4 and Sunday, May 5.
Undiscovered Realm Comic Con 2019: White Plains, New York; Saturday, May 4 and Sunday, May 5.
Anime & Asian Culture Conventions
Anime St. Louis 2019: St. Charles, Missouri; Friday, May 3 through Sunday, May 5.
Dream Con 2019: Waco, Texas; Friday, May 3 through Sunday, May 5.
Carolina Anime Day 2019: Charlotte, North Carolina; Saturday, May 4.
Mini-Mini Con 2019: San Antonio, Texas; Saturday, May 4.
Toy & Gaming Conventions Conventions
Brick Fest Live 2019: Sacramento, California; Saturday, May 4 and Sunday, May 5.
Genre & Interest-Specific Conventions
Sci-Fi, Steampunk, & Fantasy
Penguicon 2019: Southfield, Michigan; Friday, May 3 through Sunday, May 5.
Concinnity 2019: Milwaukee, Wisconsin; Saturday, May 4.
Intergalactic Expo 2019: West Sacramento, California; Sunday, May 5.
Horror
Texas Frightmare Weekend 2019: Dallas, Texas; May 3 through Sunday, May 5.
Stranger Things
Stranger Con 2019: Secaucus, New Jersey; Friday, May 3 through Sunday, May 5.
Doctor Who
WHOlanta 2019: Atlanta, Georgia; Friday, May 3 through Sunday, May 5.
International Conventions
Canada
Northern FanCon 2019: Prince George, British Columbia; Friday, May 3 through Sunday, May 5.
Saskatchewan Entertainment Expo Regina 2019: Regina, Saskatchewan; Saturday, May 4 and Sunday, May 5.
Durham Video Game Convention 2019: Oshawa, Ontario; Sunday, May 5.
United Kingdom
Rai Con Spring 2019: Glasgow, Scotland; Saturday, May 4.
EM-Con Nottingham 2019: Nottingham, England; Saturday, May 4 and Sunday, May 5.
Play Expo Manchester 2019: Manchester, England; Saturday, May 4 and Sunday, May 5.
Portsmouth Comic Con 2019: Portsmouth, England; Saturday, May 4 and Sunday, May 5.
Heading out to a convention this weekend?
We’d love to see your photos (especially your cosplay photos). When you upload your convention photos to social media this weekend, tag @GeekDads on Twitter and GeekDad on Facebook–we just might share your photos on our social media accounts.
Are you a convention organizer who would like your con featured in an upcoming Convention Connection?
E-mail joey@geekdad.com at least two weeks before the convention’s start date with details you would like shared with our readers. Submission of details does not guarantee that we’ll highlight your convention, but it certainly helps your chances. If you are willing to participate in an online or phone interview promoting your convention, we can arrange an interview no later than one week prior to the convention start date. Audio interviews will be included in future Convention Connections.
Are you a convention organizer who would like your con attended and covered by GeekDad?
E-mail joey@geekdad.com at least two months before the convention’s start date with details. Submission of details does not guarantee that we’ll cover your convention, but it certainly helps your chances. Coverage depends on contributor availability for the convention. If you are willing to assist with travel and lodging for a GeekDad contributor covering your convention, please note that in the e-mail.
Are you a convention organizer who would like to give away entry to your convention (tickets, badges, etc.) on GeekDad?
Contact joey@geekdad.com at least one month before first date with ticket giveaway details. Submission of details does not guarantee that we’ll run a giveaway for entry to your convention, but it certainly helps your chances.
Final Thought
There is no way we can cover every convention every weekend. If there is a convention not covered above that you plan to attend this weekend, feel free to post the name of the convention, dates, location, and link to the convention’s website in the comments below.
