The organizers of northern Maine’s second Comicon are busy transforming Presque Isle’s Northeastland Hotel into J.R.R. Tolkien’s fantastical Middle Earth, the place where hobbits, dwarves, elves and humans reside.
“We are bringing the stories of the Shire to The County,” said organizer Roxanne Bruce of Ludlow, who is co-owner of Shiretown Gaming.
This mid-April weekend event, dubbed “Misplaced in Middle Earth,” promises an immersive experience for cosplay and gaming fans of all ages, Bruce said.
The only Comicon north of Bangor, the April 17-19 event will take over the downtown hotel with Warhammer tournaments; a Saturday cosplay contest; after-hours gaming until Midnight; potion-making, art and becoming a knight classes; and table top playing games such as Dungeons and Dragons, Magic the Gathering, Pokemon, YuGiOh; a Pokemon Story Walk throughout town; and a LEGO play station for kids.
Comicon was actually the brainchild of a group of San Diego kids who wanted a place to get together in celebration of comic books, movies, and science fiction authors like Ray Bradbury. Their first event in the basement of the U.S. Grant Hotel in August 1970, exploded into an international pop-culture extravaganza that draws hundreds of thousands, many in full cosplay regalia each year.
Bruce said the Northeastland Hotel will transform into a hub of fandom and fantasy as it hosts the Northern Maine Comicon. In addition to the main vendor, tournament and innovation rooms, there will be a chance for participants to embark on “side quests” throughout the hotel.
“They can complete challenges and find organizers to spin the “Wheel of Wonder” for exclusive rewards, including custom dice,” Bruce said. “There are even whispers of a special raffle for “The One Ring.”
The event’s special guests include the armored combat group Storm Walkers, the Crown of Maine Pro Wrestling and Anah Shrine Heroes, who will be there on Saturday for photos with the superheroes.
A Different Point of Brew Coffee and Tea Co. will be there all weekend with “magical drinks” and will teach people how to make fun brews and potions.
The Adventurers Guild Hall will be there to send attendees on quests throughout the hotel and around town, said Bruce.
“Join in a fantasy quest and become a hero of the realm,” she said.
Bruce collaborated with Community Action in Aroostook, Washington and Hancock counties, and Theater of Dice for the downtown “Story Walk.”
Local MSAD 1 students are illustrating a custom comic book and attendees can follow the student narrative throughout downtown Presque Isle during the weekend event, she said.
Bruce warned that the Northern Maine Comicon was spoofed by spammers on Facebook and when looking for event details, be sure to select the event promoted by Roxanne
Bruce, and not by someone else, she said..
“Don’t let a spammer steal your fun, grab your tickets now direct from the source and join us for a weekend filled with fun, friendship and gaming,” Bruce said.
Friday, April 17, doors open at 1 p.m. and run until 8 p.m., with adult gaming until midnight.
Saturday, April 18, runs from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. with adult gaming until midnight. The event wraps up on Sunday April 19 from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.
There are a variety of ticket packages available online or at the Northeastland Hotel. Tickets, adult (ages 14+) youth (ages 4-14) include: Friday Day Pass $5/$2; Saturday Day Pass $10/$5; Sunday Day Pass $5/$2; VIP All Weekend Pass $80.00, includes full 3-day admission, a collectible event pass, a Saturday photo session, access to after-hours parties, and a mystery gift. Children 3 and under are free.
