Actor Barry Bostwick's tighty-whities - and more - up for grabs at 11th annual Pensacon

Editor's note: Scott DeBoer's name was initially spelled incorrectly. It has been corrected.

Still handsome actor Barry Bostwick has portrayed multiple presidents, both fictional and real, a mayor and multiple other roles that called for dignity and no-nonsense.

But there he was on Day 1 of Pensacon on Friday at the Pensacola Bay Center meeting fans and selling autographed pairs of "tighty-whitey" underwear, similar to the underwear he wore in maybe his best beloved role, that of Brad Majors in the 1975 cult classic "The Rocky Horror Picture Show." (The underwear also had the memorable "Dammit Janet" inked in black on the rear.)

Pensacon 2024 kicked off with thousands in its opening hours alone, a majority wearing a costume of some kind to show their allegiance and loves. There were jesters and Jokers, a shirtless masked Batman, witches and demons, superheroes and arch-villains.

The 11th annual Pensacon runs through Sunday. This year, there are more than 100 celebrity guests, from veteran performs such as Morgan Fairchild, Lou Ferrigno and Vicki Lawrence to new favorites such as Chandler Riggs from "The Walking Dead". There were also numerous visual artists and voice actors from shows such as "Scooby Doo," "Star Wars" and "My Little Pony."

Last year, about 38,000 people attended Pensacon and organizers are hoping for big numbers again this year.

"I expect another great year,'' said Julio Diaz, Pensacon director of Media and Guest Relations, early Friday afternoon. "We're only an hour-and-a-half in and we're already starting to fill up."

Indeed, a long line of costumed con-goers filled the entrance points at the Pensacola Bay Center, and by 2 p.m. the vendors floor of the arena was jammed with guests browsing booths filled with swords, masks, costumes, models, puzzles and so much more celebrating the entertainment loved by attendees.

Scott DeBoer, 55, of Orlando has been traveling to Pensacola for Pensacon for years. On Friday, he had a conversation and a hug and picture with actress Diane Franklin, who melted many a heart in the 1980s with starring roles in "The Last American Virgin" and "Better Off Dead."

"I was a teen when 'Better Off Dead' came out,'' he said. "That movie was the definition of what romance could be. She's still not only aesthetically beautiful, but..."

He paused a bit.

Charming?

"Charming,'' DeBoer said. "That's the perfect word."

DeBoer travels to various pop culture conventions throughout the year, but said Pensacon is at the top of the list.

"Sincerely, none of them are like this one,'' he said. "It's family-friendly, it's nice people. There's no one putting on any airs. It's just always a good time and that's why I keep coming back."

Diaz said that one reason for the success is because those who are involved with Pensacon, most notably founder and CEO Mike Ensley, are huge fans themselves.

"I think we go the extra effort to make sure this is a special experience for people,'' Diaz said. "It's kind of big, but it still has a heart and still has that fan feeling. I always talk about this fellowship of fandom because that's what it's all about. Letting people meet one another and see each other and have a good time with friends and make memories."

Brenda Hope, who traveled from near Jackson, Mississippi to attend her third consecutive Pensacon, was already making memories on Friday, chatting up Morgan Fairchild, known for her roles in "Falcon Crest,'' "Flamingo Road,'' "Dallas" and so many more. Hope also snagged a photo with Fairchild and purchased an autographed photo as well.

"I've seen her on TV growing up and just had to have this for the collection,'' she said. "I haven't been here long yet. But I'm excited. I was invited the first year I came and now I just keep coming back because it's such an amazing time."

As of Friday afternoon, weekend passes were still available. For pass information and information on guests, hours and even after-parties and other Pensacon events to www.pensacon.com.

This article originally appeared on Pensacola News Journal: Pensacon features "Rocky Horror" to "Walking Dead" stars