The south’s biggest free comic convention lives up to its aim as a “fun filled event for all the family” again this year. The entertainment started on Saturday 16th June 2018 from 11am and went on until 8pm or later for those who stayed to enjoy the evening by the water.
Comic and gaming enthusiasts dress up and celebrate their heros and enjoy a day escaping from reality down by the seaside. The atmosphere was exciting and friendly and set against the stunning backdrop of Portsmouth’s most exclusive and picturesque marina. Port Solent Marina is tucked away at the top of Portsmouth harbour in Hampshire in England and provides an excellent haven for yachts, sailors and superheroes.
There were queues of cars waiting to enter the car parks and playing fields that were assigned as an extra overspill car park for the day.
On stage were a variety of celebrity guest singers and characters such as Star Wars e woks and Harry Potter Goblins and other creatures that were definitely out of this world. Members of the public in fancy dress were invited onto the stage to present and talk about their favourite stars from books, magazines, film, TV and video and online games. Professional character costumers and cosplayers chatted and mingled in with the crowd including several Transformers, Captain Jax Parrow, Ghostbusters and many more.
Stall holders selling merchandise relating to every Comic, superhero and fictional film stars imaginable lined the promenade. Toys and collectables were on display for shoppers to browse through and take home their special mementoes. Many accessories were selected by fans to wear to the next Comicon. The galactic looking cake and sweet stands provided a multicoloured rainbow of power snacks for the strolling visitors.
Between the stage shows and before the Blue Brothers music continued the party into the night, many visitors took advantage of the children’s play area and the wonderful selection of restaurants and shops that the marina has to offer.
There were indoor games tournaments and even an underground zombie experience according to the brochure. As as the day was fine and dry everybody seemed to enjoy the scenery and the buzz of the mini outdoor festival. The combination of the bright theatre unfolding in the centre of The Boardwalk and the beautiful white boats coming and going through the water was an excellent scene enjoyed by the hundreds of people who attended.
Port Solent undoubtedly profited from the stalls pitched by the traders and GoGeek events were hired to help deliver this specialist event. Port Solent marina promotes the marina’s retail and leisure facilities, that include a multiplex cinema, by holding a calendar of events throughout the year. These include music concerts, vintage car rallies and craft markets to compliment the existing businesses. The activities and draw of the inviting marina environment help to attract new regular visitors.
The day was organised by Port Solent management in conjunction with GoGeek events. Many different ages of people got involved and dressed up. We especially enjoyed meeting Tango Mike’s pirate character in a trio of supernatural Cosplay vamps in home made outfits. Daryl Jones, a Hampshire based Transformer cosplayer dazzled onlookers along the decking in a striking silver and gold costume. We were impressed with a girl who introduced herself as superman’s enemy Gomorrah and her marvellous sidekick, both glowing in dramatic green and brown face and body paints.
We often hear that we will all become technology nerds locked up in our bedroom gaming. It was very refreshing to see local people getting creative and enjoying positive and fun times together and happily recreating a well loved Spiderman or a Lara Croft lookalike. We are looking forward to the third ComicCon at Port Solent next year and we think the future might be fantastic.