Salt City Comic-Con moves to State Fair Expo Center this summer

GEDDES, N.Y. — Salt City Comic-Con, an event described on its website as “Central New York’s premiere pop culture event,” will be held at the Exposition Center at the New York State Fairgrounds July 6-7.

The Comic-Con focuses on the “people and culture surrounding comics, TV, movies, books, graphic novels and cosplay,” the New York State Department of Agriculture and Markets said in a Monday news release.

Organizers held last year’s event at Embassy Suites by Hilton Syracuse Destiny USA, per its Facebook page.

The 2019 event will include appearances from stars, creators and memorabilia, cosplay (dressing up in a costume) contests, and game competitions, along with nearly 100 vendors selling items related to comics and pop culture.

This year’s event “will get even larger,” as it will also include a midway adjacent to the Expo Center, offering rides and a food truck court, per the release.

“We’re pleased to be able to provide Salt City Comic-Con with a home that will allow them to grow and serve many more pop culture fans, some of whom travel hundreds or thousands of miles to attend. It’s another example of how the investment in the Expo Center is paying dividends for Central New York’s tourism industry and this is going to be a fun and exciting event,” Troy Waffner, director of the New York State Fair, said.

The 2019 event will also include panel discussions, with topics and participants yet to be determined; along with appearances by actor Ernie Hudson, who played Winston Zeddemore in the original “Ghostbusters,” along with Ecto-1a, the Ghostbusters’ work vehicle; pro wrestlers Sabu, the Super Genie and the Rock ‘N’ Roll Express; and New York Mets pitcher Dwight “Doc” Gooden.

Salt City Comic-Con officials are working with the Great New York State Fair to create a Comic-Con event during the 2019 State Fair.

“Salt City Comic-Con is so excited to be in the Expo Center. This will allow us to make the show bigger and better for years to come,” Allen Laventure, associate promoter of Salt City Comic-Con, said.

Contact Reinhardt at ereinhardt@cnybj.com