PEORIA MAGAZINE July 2023

PLAYING IN PEORIA

‘GEEK CULTURE’ HAS ARRIVED IN CENTRAL ILLINOIS Peoria fan conventions bring big celebrities and attendance numbers

BY LAURIE PILLMAN

F an conventions aren’t a new thing. Starting in the 1930s and gathering momentum since the 1980s, large-scale fan conven tions like San Diego’s Comic-Con can have a major economic impact. Peoria certainly isn’t at that level. But could it be? “Nerd culture and geek culture in Peo ria has always been around, ever since I can remember,” said Dan Crawford, owner of Cabbages and Kings Games in Peoria Heights. “But in the last 10 years, we've had a boom. I think there's always been a want and a need for this outlet.” Local attendance at fan cons is so large that two comic book conventions now need space at the Peoria Civic Center. QuadCon will be at the Civic Center

July 22-23. PeoriaCon is moving to the space for its March 2-3, 2024 event. Both conventions are still growing. “I would say the Peoria fan base is pretty loyal,” said John Wells, who co organizes QuadCon with his wife Kim. “They always come out and support.” Wells started selling comic books in 1989 at conventions in Tokyo, Amsterdam and New York. About seven years ago, he and his wife arranged their own fan convention in the Quad Cities. Now, QuadCon moves from city to city every weekend across multiple states, showcasing comic books and nostalgic toys. In 2019, friends at Acme Comics and The Zone convinced Wells that Peoria needed a QuadCon. The 2019 RiverPlex

event generated enough interest that Wells had to move to Northwoods Mall, where QuadCon still happens twice a year. He knew the community could support a larger event. The first Civic Center QuadCon had 100 vendors, 1,000 attendees, and a guest appearance by DC Comics artist Rags Morales. Last year, Ross Marquand of The Walking Dead fame helped boost attendance to 3,000. This year, 190 vendors signed up. Actor Daniel Logan, Boba Fett from the 2002 film Star Wars: Episode II – Attack of the Clones, will be offering a free Q&A panel, as well as autographs for a fee. Some 4,000 attendees are expected. “If you've never been to one of our events, you should expect all things pop culture,” said Wells. “You're going

68 JULY 2023 PEORIA MAGAZINE