SEATTLE — Emerald City Comic Con is celebrating its 20th anniversary this weekend in Seattle, an anniversary organizers are thrilled to be a part of.
“We are just really proud to be able to bring that to the city,” Event Manager Chris D’Lando said.
The Seattle Convention Center expects roughly 75,000 attendees during this year’s event.
On Saturday alone, it was a sold-out crowd of 25,000. And those in costume weren’t the only ones excited; vendors inside enjoyed the large groups and sense of community, too.
“[It’s] busy. Talking to a lot of people. You see a lot of great costumes, and so it’s really fun,” said Laura Berns, Co-Chief of the Game of Ham.
“But it’s just a bunch of nerds having fun together. That hasn’t changed,” D’Lando said.
Besides the historic anniversary, this is the first ECCC with no COVID-19 restrictions since before the pandemic began, meaning no masking requirements or capacity restrictions.
“I feel like we are finally able to take the weight off our chest and breathe a little bit,” fan Jade Logan said.
But D’Lando says they encourage all patrons to do whatever makes them feel comfortable.
“I mean, there is always concern, right? But we have recommendations for masks, and we allow the folks who are coming to the show to make the best decisions for themselves,” D’Lando said.
“But at the same time, you can’t live in fear your who life. But be cautious; wear the mask if you want to. No one should be shaming anyone for wearing the mask,” Logan said.
Because many would argue that is the purpose of events like Comic-Con: being yourself and having fun.
“It’s just exciting seeing people stepping out of the judging. And I think we need this kind of escape from reality. But still, a firm foot in reality at the same time,” Logan said.
ECCC continues on Sunday beginning at 10 a.m. Actor Mark Ruffalo will be in attendance as well.
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