Comic-Con-style event this Saturday fundraising for cancer research, featuring celebrities

The Voices Against Cancer nonprofit is holding a Comic-Con-style fundraiser featuring stars from "Breaking Bad," "The Mandalorian" and more.

Guests will be able to interact with more than a dozen actors and actresses from stage, screen, television and video games, including Giancarlo Esposito from "The Mandalorian" and "Breaking Bad," Maile Flanagan, who voices Naruto, and Frank Welker who voiced both Scooby-Doo and Fred in "Scooby Doo" and Megatron in "Transformers."

The inaugural event is set for 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday at the Washington Pavilion. All proceeds will go to the St. Baldrick's Foundation and Ian's Thumb's Up Fund through Avera.

More: 2 years ago, she was paralyzed in a crash that killed 4. Now, this former Sioux Falls surgeon will cycle again.

"We're very excited about the event," Gina George, co-founder of Voices Against Cancer, said. "It's going to be a great and fun opportunity that raises money for such an important cause."

Voices Against Cancer is a nonprofit that raises funds and awareness for the fight against cancer, particularly toward childhood cancer research, by putting on celebrity appearances and conventions.

It was founded a just over two years ago by George and her husband, Lou, who have a personal connection to the cause, but they haven't been able to have events until now because of the pandemic.

Pricing, celebrity photos and autographs

General admission tickets are $20 for adults and $10 for those ages 6-18. Children age 5 and under are free. General admission allows attendees meet their favorite celebrities throughout the day, but separate tickets can be purchased for autographs and photos with certain celebrities.

Those ticket prices range from $30-$100, and they can be purchased during the event or ahead of time on either the Voices Against Cancer website or the Washington Pavilion's website.

The celebrity photos will be taken on the third floor at designated times. The professional photo will be automatically printed for attendees to have, and then, if they choose, they can get that photo signed. Attendees can bring up to three of their own items or pictures for celebrities to sign or choose from the photographs at the celebrity booths.

"We're really hoping for a huge turnout because there's really been nothing like this in Sioux Falls before," George said.

The specific times for celebrity photos can be found on the Voices Against Cancer website, as well as additional details on pricing and background details about the actors themselves.

Here's the celebrity lineup:

• Giancarlo Esposito — "The Mandalorian," "Breaking Bad"

• Spencer Wilding — Darth Vader in "Rogue One," "Guardians of the Galaxy"

• Phil LaMarr —Green Lantern in DC Animated Universe, "Clone Wars," "Futurama"

• Charlie Schlatter — "Lego Batman," "Ferris Bueller's Day Off," "Kick Buttowski"

• Frank Welker — "Transformers," Scooby Doo," "The Real Ghostbusters"

• Maile Flanagan — "Naruto," "Lab Rats" "Piggley Winks"

• Wally Wingert — "Bleach," "Batman: Arkham" video games, "Invader Zim"

• Emily Swallow — "The Mandalorian," "Supernatural," "Castlevania"

• George Newbern — Superman in DC Animated Universe, "Father of the Bride"

• Mark Dodson — "Gremlins," "Day of the Dead," "Star Wars"

• Colleen O'Shaughnessey — "Boruto," "Sonic Boom: Sonic the Hedgehog Movie"

• Peter Cullen — "Transformers," "Winnie the Pooh"

• Aaron Dismuke —"Full Metal Alchemist," "Dr. Stone"

• David Sobolov —"One Piece," "Guardians of the Galaxy Series," "Transformers"

• Dwight "Doc" Gooden — former professional baseball pitcher

• Tom Wynn — comic book artist and photographer

• Garrett Gunn — comic book writer, "Good Boy," "Franklin and Ghost"

Other events, silent auction and Star Wars cosplays

The local chapter of the 501st Legion, a Star Wars-based charitable organization, will dress up in movie characters that walk around and interact with attendees. There will also be face painting, other activities for children and food trucks selling meals throughout the day.

Dwight "Doc" Gooden will be the "celebrity barber" for the donors who are coming to get their heads shaved for St. Baldrick's. An event Sunday from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. at Emerald Pines will also feature Gooden signing baseball cards.

There is also a Voices Against Cancer silent auction that features a variety of collectible items such a "Back to the Future" comic book signed by Michael J. Fox, and a Darth Vader helmet signed by "Star Wars" stars like Mark Hamill and George Lucas. There are also smaller, less expensive items and artwork for sale.

The auction is live online and will conclude Saturday afternoon.

"We just want to provide a really fun event for everybody," George said, "and we're excited to keep raising awareness, bringing in new and exciting people, and do it all again next year."

This article originally appeared on Sioux Falls Argus Leader: Sioux Falls cancer research fundraiser to feature stars of "Star Wars"