Comic Con hits Raleigh this weekend
RALEIGH (WTVD) -- Comic Con has come to the Capital City to the delight of pop culture fans. The weekend convention features some big names, including Star Trek's William Shatner.
The Wizard World convention could also mean big bucks for Downtown Raleigh Businesses.
March 13 was declared Wizard World Comic Con Day. The 2015 convention is a first for the City of Oaks.
Up to 10,000 people are expected to attend. Scores of people are packing into the convention center dressed up in costumes and homemade creations.
"It's just super fun for me," said Raleigh resident Natasha Marrero. "It's just being a different character every day."
"There's a rock-and-roll Elsa somewhere running around," said Raleigh resident McKenna Fellows.
"If you're a fan of horror, SciFi and action, and this whole genre, you get to walk around with thousands of people that think exactly how you think," said Wizard World CEO John Macaluso.
Anything you can think of that's pop culture related is right out on display. Dozens of vendors are selling toys, t-shirts, comic books, DVDs, and collectibles.
There are celebrities on hand like Kevin Sorbo, who played Hercules, and Shatner, who starred as Captain Kirk.
"Meeting these people who have come to see me, it's an honor," said Shatner. "To talk to the people, get their reaction, that's the beauty of it with me. That's why I'm here."
Mayor Nancy MacFarlane was there to do the honor of officially kicking off the weekend festivities. She says the conference is having a major economic impact on Raleigh.
The buzz did bring a mom and son from Washington D.C.
"It's for him not for me," said Stephanie Bird. "Earlier in the day, I took him out of school."
The convention runs through Sunday.
