Comic Con guide: Celebrities, cosplay, vendors, photo-ops at Lexington convention

Blake Hannon
·5 min read

The Lexington Comic and Toy Convention, commonly referred to as Lexington Comic Con or LexCon, will celebrate its 11th gathering this year in downtown Lexington.

Over the past 10 events, the attendance numbers, activities, vendors and the celebrity guests just keep growing. While the popular annual Lexington event has fans from across the country and globe who make it a point to attend every year, a big reason the convention keeps growing is someone decided to attend for the first time — and found their inner geek.

With that in mind, here is a handy how-to guide for first-time attendees to let them know what to expect this year at the Central Bank Center.

Yes there will be comics at the Lexington Comic and Toy Convention at the Central Bank Center. But vendors will also have rare toys and collectibles, art work and pop culture goods at their booths.
Yes there will be comics at the Lexington Comic and Toy Convention at the Central Bank Center. But vendors will also have rare toys and collectibles, art work and pop culture goods at their booths.

What is a Comic Con?

Comic Con is short for “comic convention” where fans of graphic stories can meet comic book creators, both writers and artists, while hitting up comic vendors’ boxes and crates to find something new or rare to add to their collection. It has since expanded to encompass toys, collectibles and almost all things related to popular culture.

The Lexington Comic Con event has a heavy emphasis on comics while also bringing in celebrities from the worlds of film, television, voice-over acting, cosplay and professional wrestling.

Patrons, including one dressed up in cosplay as Bowser from Super Mario Bros., wander the exhibit floor during the 2022 Lexington Comic and Toy Convention at the Central Bank Center.
Patrons, including one dressed up in cosplay as Bowser from Super Mario Bros., wander the exhibit floor during the 2022 Lexington Comic and Toy Convention at the Central Bank Center.

What should I expect to see at Lexington Comic Con?

While some people may come to Lexington Comic Con for the art, shopping or celebrity meet-and-greets, the event’s major emphasis will be hard to miss once you approach the convention space in the Central Bank Center.

“You’re going to know you are at a comic-related event very quickly. You will see Spider-Man and Deadpool within the first 60 seconds,” said Jarrod Greer, promoter for the event.

The actual layout, or map, of the event space will have a vendor floor on Level 3, followed by photo ops and rooms for celebrity panels taking place on Level 2. Level 1 will be the convention’s main ballroom area where most of the event’s celebrity guests will be stationed for meet-and-greets.

The schedule for the four-day convention includes cosplay events, celebrity Q&A panel sessions, game rooms, parties, photo-ops and more.

Kevin Smith, left, and Jason Mewes, aka, Jay and Silent Bob from the “Clerks” movies will be at the Lexington Comic & Toy Convention this weekend, as will other stars from Smith’s movies including Jason Lee, Jeremy London and Ethan Suplee.
Kevin Smith, left, and Jason Mewes, aka, Jay and Silent Bob from the “Clerks” movies will be at the Lexington Comic & Toy Convention this weekend, as will other stars from Smith’s movies including Jason Lee, Jeremy London and Ethan Suplee.

What celebrities will be at Lexington Comic Con?

There will be nearly 100 celebrity guests at the convention, ranging from TV to film stars to comic creators to wrestlers.

The celebrity guest list from TV and movies includes names you will recognize including Kevin Smith and Jason Mewes (Jay and Silent Bob from the “Clerks” films, Jason Lee (“Almost Famous,” “My Name is Earl” and “Chasing Amy,” a Kevin Smith flick), Sam Raimi (director of the “Evil Dead” franchise and the first three “Spider-Man” movies and Tom Kenny (the longtime voice of SpongeBob SquarePants.)

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Actor David Koechner meets with fans before taking a picture during the Lexington Comic and Toy Convention at the Central Bank Center in Lexington, Ky. on Sunday, March 27, 2022.
Actor David Koechner meets with fans before taking a picture during the Lexington Comic and Toy Convention at the Central Bank Center in Lexington, Ky. on Sunday, March 27, 2022.

Can I get my picture taken with celebrity guests?

Yes there will be photo-ops. But, depending on which celebrity you want to meet, it may require some patience and your pocketbook.

Event organizers said the bigger celebrity guests will all usually have a longer line and a shorter face-to-face experience. While actually meeting any celebrity at Lexington Comic Con won’t cost you anything but time in line, things like autographs and a photo will cost something and every celebrity has a different price range. Also, attendees may have to choose between a brief encounter in a longer line or a more meaningful encounter with a lesser-known guest.

There will also be opportunities to see and take pictures with plenty of pop culture items scattered throughout the exhibit floor. For example there’s a 10-foot-tall Basilisk like the one featured in “Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets” and a life-size, 14-foot-tall, 17-foot-wide long Rancor, the scary beast best known from “Return of the Jedi.”

A patron looks over items for sale from a vendor on the exhibit floor during the 2022 Lexington Comic and Toy Convention at the Central Bank Center. Vendors were selling rare toys and collectibles, comics, art work and pop culture goods from their booths.
A patron looks over items for sale from a vendor on the exhibit floor during the 2022 Lexington Comic and Toy Convention at the Central Bank Center. Vendors were selling rare toys and collectibles, comics, art work and pop culture goods from their booths.

What kind of stuff can I buy at Lexington Comic and Toy Convention?

Other than just about any kind of graphic novel or comic you can think of, you can purchase rare toys and collectibles, art work and pop culture goods from vendors ranging from leather goods and bags to wood carvings. There are even vintage video games for sale.

A young patron dressed in Spider-man cosplay gets his picture taken with someone dressed in cosplay as Bowser from Super Mario Bros., on the exhibit floor during the 2022 Lexington Comic and Toy Convention at the Central Bank Center in Lexington, Ky. on Sunday, March 27, 2022. Vendors were selling rare toys and collectibles, comics, art work and pop culture goods from their booths.

Is LexCon kid-friendly?

Definitely. While families can enjoy themselves no matter which day they decide to attend the four-day event, organizers said Sunday is much calmer with fewer attendees and more room for strollers.

A patron in cosplay as a snowtrooper from the Star Wars franchise greets a fan at the Lexington Comic and Toy Convention at the Central Bank Center in Lexington, Ky. on Sunday, March 27, 2022. Costumes are allowed and cosplay is encouraged at convention.
A patron in cosplay as a snowtrooper from the Star Wars franchise greets a fan at the Lexington Comic and Toy Convention at the Central Bank Center in Lexington, Ky. on Sunday, March 27, 2022. Costumes are allowed and cosplay is encouraged at convention.

Can I dress up? Is there a costume contest?

Costumes are definitely allowed and cosplay is encouraged at Lexington Comic Con. Part of the fun while walking the exhibit floor is seeing the costumes whether they are homemade or professionally crafted — and don’t be shy to ask someone to have your picture taken with one you like. Also, there is a costume contest held Saturday evening, with prejudging at 5 p.m. and a public showing at 6 p.m.

The cast of the TV show “My Hero Academia” participate in a panel Q&A with fans at the 2022 Lexington Comic and Toy Convention. There will be 14 Q&A panels at this years convention.
The cast of the TV show “My Hero Academia” participate in a panel Q&A with fans at the 2022 Lexington Comic and Toy Convention. There will be 14 Q&A panels at this years convention.

Are there Q&As?

Yes. There will be both individual celebrity Q&As and cast Q&A panels this year. Cast-based panels include Jason Lee, Eddie Steeples and Ethan Suplee from “My Name is Earl,” a “Star Wars” panel with two actors from the original trilogy and Saturday’s highlight, Silent Bob Speaks (Kevin Smith.)

Thinking of going to Lexington Comic Con this weekend? Act fast if you’re thinking Saturday, it sometimes sells-out. Sunday is often the less crowded day to attend of the four-day convention.
Thinking of going to Lexington Comic Con this weekend? Act fast if you’re thinking Saturday, it sometimes sells-out. Sunday is often the less crowded day to attend of the four-day convention.

How much are tickets to Lexington ComicCon?

Ticket prices depend on what day you go and how many days you want to attend.

Tickets are $30 Thursday, March 23, which is the “all about comics” day. Few, if any celebrity guests will be there, but attendees can have first dibs to buy from comic vendors.

Admission prices to Lexington Comic Con is $50 on Friday, March 24, and $60 on Saturday, March 25. A Saturday evening ticket (4 p.m.-7 p.m. is $40) A four-day festival ticket can be purchased for $140 in advance online

Tickets are also $50 for Sunday, March 26.

Kids 10 and under are free for all days.

Buy tickets online at lexingtoncomiccon.com. Daily tickets also are available at the door, but be warned, Saturday can sell-out.

Ticket prices for the four-day Lexington Comic Con range from $30-$140 and can be purchased in advance online or in-person at the door.
Ticket prices for the four-day Lexington Comic Con range from $30-$140 and can be purchased in advance online or in-person at the door.

Lexington Comic and Toy Convention

When: 6-10 p.m. Thursday, March 23; Noon-8 p.m. Friday, March 24; 10 a.m.-7 p.m. Saturday, March 25; 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Sunday, March 26

Where: Central Bank Center, 430 W. Vine St.

Tickets: $30-$140

Online: lexingtoncomiccon.com