Comic Con in Elkhart allows visitors to meet superheroes and escape the winter blahs

ELKHART ― What better way to fight the winter blahs than by immersing yourself in the colorful world of fantasy.

That’s likely what inspired thousands of visitors to fill the Northern Indiana Event Center for the Hall of Heroes Comic Con on Saturday and Sunday.

“I like scheduling our event at the beginning of March because I know people are looking for fun, family-friendly activities,” said Allen Stewart, founder and director of the Hall of Heroes Museum in Elkhart and organizer of the annual Comic Con.

March 4 and 5:Hall of Heroes Comic Con to feature the ❜70s television show Hulk, Lou Ferrigno

Indeed, they were.

By the opening at 10 a.m. Saturday, it was getting difficult to find a place to park in the expansive lot. A throng of people of all ages ― many dressed as characters ― stood in line waiting to get into event, which was worth the price of admission just to check out the costumes of other attendees.

But there was a lot more to draw visitors from throughout the region and beyond.

Lou Ferrigno, who is best known in his role as “The Incredible Hulk,” attracted fans of all ages who lined up to get an autograph, photos or even pass a few words with the actor, who also participated in a question and answer as part of the event.

“I’m a big fan of Lou Ferrigno,” Rick Turner of Elkhart said. “I grew up watching 'The Incredible Hulk.'”

That’s what also motivated Scott Turner from Grand Blanc, Mich., and Brian Stevens of Osceola to stand in line to meet the celebrity. “I used to tear the bottoms of my pants off and paint my legs green,” said Stevens, who admitted his mother wasn’t too thrilled with his childhood antics.

While visiting with Reb Brown in an adjacent booth, Stevens told the actor how big of a fan he also was of the “Captain America” movie more than 40 years ago when he was a also a Hulk-loving kid.

“People keep bringing that up,” Brown deadpanned, not needing a reminder that his career has spanned about 50 years.

Though older fans were attracted to Brown, Ferrigno and other celebrities who were part of their childhoods, they also drew in younger visitors who have learned about their work from their parents or through other avenues.

Mike Duffy, 39, came up from Indianapolis to get photos with Brown because of the 1988 movie “Space Mutiny,” which he learned about through the series Mystery Science Theater 3000. “He has a cult following because of 'Space Mutiny,'” he said.

Beyond the celebrities willing to provide autographs or pose for photos, there were also nearly 100 vendors selling artwork, toys, comics and more — even distilled spirits courtesy of South Bend-based Indiana Whiskey, which was providing samples and selling bottles of its products.

Kind of on a lark, the business set up a booth at last year’s Comic Con and it did surprisingly well, said Joe Garcia, operations lead at the distillery. So this year, Indiana Whiskey returned with a special label commemorating the 2023 event.

In an endless maze of booths and activities, the Hall of Heroes Comic Con is now the second biggest special event in Elkhart, surpassed only by the annual Jazz Festival but is continuing to grow on an annual basis.

Next year, Stewart said, they’ll likely be doubling the amount of space because organizers had to turn away numerous vendors for this year’s event for lack of room. People like to dress up and see other people in costumes and visit with vendors.

But the celebrities — from actors to artists to editors — are what really can attract big throngs to Comic Cons, said Stewart, who has built up a midsized show in only six years, in part because of the contacts the Hall of Heroes has developed through the years.

The show serves as a fund-raising event for the Hall of Heroes and a way to generate some revenue for charities — with signed posters and other items auctioned off this year for the Boys & Girls Club of Elkhart County. But most of the revenue is plowed back into growing the event, which was expected to draw about 6,000 this year with hopes of doubling in 2024.

“That means business for hotels, restaurants and gas stations,” Stewart explained.

And it’s also just a fun event for those who want to meet celebrities, add to their collections or simply show off their costumes and get photos with others whose costumes or characters they admire.

This article originally appeared on South Bend Tribune: Lou Ferrigno, Reb Brown among the celebrities at Elkhart Comic Con