From the Backstreet Boys to ‘Full House’ to ‘Sabrina’: The stars of ‘90s pop culture descend on Hartford this weekend

The Connecticut Convention Center travels back in time a quarter-century or so with ’90s Con, a pop-culture convention that reminds us that the decade offered more than grunge rock and “Friends.”

The convention, running March 11 to 13, celebrates the TV shows, and to a lesser extent the movies and music, of the 1990s. There are contests, vendors and non-stop photo opps.

The Hartford convention center didn’t even exist in the 1990s; the construction of the building didn’t happen until 2001, though it had been in the planning stages since the late 1980s.

Among the special guests at ‘90s Con:

  • The four main stars of “Sabrina the Teenage Witch”: Melissa Joan Hart, who played the title role; Beth Broderick and Caroline Rhea, who played her aunts; Nate Rickert (Harvey; and Jenna Leigh Green (Sabrina’s nemesis Libby) will reunite at a panel discussion at 11 a.m. on Saturday.

  • Four cast members of “Full House”: Candace Cameron Bure, Dave Coulier, Andrea Barber and Scott Weinger — all of whom are on the update of the show “Fuller House.” All will be part of a panel discussion of the show on Saturday at 4 p.m.

  • The three Lawrence brothers, all who were part of “Brotherly Love”: Joey (Joey from “Blossom”), Matthew (Jack Hunter from “Boy Meets World”) and Adam (Tuck Gronic from the movie “Jack Frost”). Matthew’s “Mrs. Doubtfire” castmates Mara Wilson and Lisa Jakub will join all the brothers for a combined Lawrence/Doubtfire panel at noon on Saturday.

  • Holly Marie Combs and Brian Krause from “Charmed,” part of a discussion of the show on 2 p.m. Saturday.

  • Lacey Chabert, Neve Campbell and Scott Wolf, for a “Party of Five” panel Sunday at 2:30 p.m.

  • Danielle Fishel, Rider Strong, Trina McGee and Will Friedle from “Boy Meets World”; that panel is 3 p.m. Saturday.

  • “Family Matters”' Reginald VelJohnson, Jo Marie Payton, Darius McCrary and Kellie Williams, sharing a panel 10:30 a.m. Sunday.

  • A slew of Nickelodeon stars: Kel Mitchell (from “Kenan and Kel,” reading from his book “Blessed Mode” on Sunday at noon, Danny Tamberelli (Little Pete from “The Adventures of Pete and Pete”), Lori Beth Denberg (”All That”).

  • “The All New Mickey Mouse Club” Mouseketeers Nikki DeLoach, Dee Dee Magno Hall, Tony Lucca, Chasen Hampton, Damon Pampolina, Jennifer McGill and Lindsey Alley. This is the version of the club that ran from 1989 to 1995, and will be recalled in a panel discussion Friday at 5 p.m.

  • Two of the Backstreet Boys (Nick Carter and AJ McLean), two members of TLC and one (T-Boz and Chilli) plus Joey Fatone from N’Sync, chatting with each other at 1:30 p.m. Sunday.

  • Christopher Lloyd and Lea Thompson from the “Back to the Future” movies (the third of which was released in 1990 — later that decade they were known for “The Addams Family” and “Caroline in the City” respectively). They talk about their careers (which include a Christmas movie they made together in Connecticut last year) at 11:30 am. on Sunday.

  • Jason Marsden and Vinessa Shaw from the “Hocus Pocus” movie plus Kimberly J. Brown from a different supernatural comedy, “Halloweentown.” Their panel is Sunday at 3:30 p.m.

  • Voice artist Jim Cummings, puppeteer Bill Diamond and SFX artist Tyler Green, offering talks and demonstrations.

  • Comics artists Mike DeCarlo, Rags Morales and Jeremy Clark plus Archie Comics co-CEO Nancy Silberkleit. Silberkleit, DeCarlo and “Sabrina the Teenage Witch” stars join in a celebration of Archie Comics (which marked its 80th anniversary last year) at 3:30 p.m. Saturday.

  • Christy Carlson Romano, more of a 2000s star actually, from “Kim Possible” and “Even Stevens.” She is billed as the “official host” of the ‘90s Con.

Other events include a ‘90s video-game tournament, a “Girl Power” exhibit, a dance party with DJ Tre and more. There’s a full schedule of photo opportunities with the stars, individually and in groups.

Two ‘90s-themed competitions are hosted by Caroline Rhea: a Cosplay Contest on Saturday afternoon with Lacey Chabert, Kimberly J. Brown and Kellie Williams among the judges and a “Trivia Showdown” on Sunday featuring “Sabrina” and “Boy Meets World” actors.

Just reading the list of attendees is a fun game of ‘90s trivia — a heartening one since most of those performers are still active, in some cases still playing the same characters.

The ‘90s vision extends to the convention’s sponsors, which includes the maker of Koosh balls.

“‘90s Con” happens March 11 to 13 at the Connecticut Convention Center, 100 Columbus Blvd, Hartford. Friday from 4 to 8 p.m.; Saturday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m; and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Proof of COVID-19 vaccination or a negative test require for admission. A weekend pass is $120; Friday passes are $35; Saturday and Sunday daily passes are $55; kids passes are $5 to $15. Some passes may be sold out. Other ticket options are available. More information is at thats4entertainment.com.

Christopher Arnott can be reached at carnott@courant.com.