STATE COLLEGE — The first-ever Happy Valley Comic and Collectibles Con was held on Feb. 25-26 at the Nittany Valley Sports Centre.
To say it was a hit would be an understatement.
More than 2,000 people visited the venue over the course of two days. There was something for everyone — from comic books to action figures and everything in between.
Organizer Tom Range was thrilled with what he saw.
“It was incredible, honestly,” Range said. “The community came out big. We don’t know exact numbers. Saturday was the bigger day, but Sunday was still very good.”
The family-friendly event — held on the same day as State Patty’s Day — gave parents and children a chance to escape downtown State College to enjoy everything a Comic Con has to offer.
“Kids 10 and under were free. We’re not sure how many kids were there, but it was very well-attended by families. They really seemed to enjoy it,” Range said.
There were a plethora of characters, artists and experts. Range said that one of the most popular attractions was the group of Vikings known as the as Skjaldborg Artisans. There was a Padawan Training Institute by the Melachor Temple.
The Garrison Carrida Star Wars Cosplayers of the 501st Legion were also on hand. They are known as Vader’s Fist.
“We had it perfectly planned. They were the first thing that people saw. Everyone loved them,” Range said.
Holey Truth Body Art provided tattoos. A game room was hosted by Jake’s Cards and Games of Bellefonte.
Numerous guests dotted the docket, including Gigi Edgley, Eric Paul Erickson, Dana Snyder,
Andy Merrill and Mike Ancas.
One of the most popular guests was Bruce Wechtenhiser, a Johnstown resident. He is, according to Range, the No. 1 authority on Spider-Man in Pennsylvania.
“(Bruce) was amazing. He had two different presentations about Spider-Man that were very well attended. We had little kids dressed up as Spider-Man, which was fun to see. There was some great Spider-Man memorabilia from the 1960s and early 1970s,” Range said.
As far as the venue was concerned, Range said that using the Nittany Valley Sports Centre worked out great.
“Some of the kids were on the other side of the Sports Centre playing soccer or something like that. On their way out, they’d see something like a Stormtrooper. … Next thing we know, we have two or three more people coming to the convention,” Range said. “The spot was a very good spot for us.”
This isn’t the first time that something like this has taken place. There was a “Nittany Con” at one time, but the COVID-19 pandemic put an end to that. Range was happy to bring a new incarnation back to Happy Valley.
Of course, the key to any convention is money. Range said the vendors who sold items — from comic books to sports cards — “did very well.”
“I had one vendor say that even if they didn’t make a dime (on Sunday), it was still one of the best conventions I’ve ever worked and that they’d be back next year,” Range said.
The Happy Valley Adventure Bureau sponsored the event. Ed Stoddard, communications director for HVAB, was one of several staff members in attendance.
“I had a great time at the Happy Valley Comic and Collectibles Convention. I was very impressed with the variety of vendors and the quality of the artists and presenters,” Stoddard said. “It did not feel like a first-year event to me at all. I am looking forward to next year. Excelsior!”
Like Stoddard, Range said he is already looking forward to next year. He said that it was truly a “family affair” as his wife Maureen helped as did their children, Meg and Mitch.
“We had glowing reviews. Do we have some improvements? Absolutely,” Range said. “But for our first one? It was a glowing success. Everyone seemed very happy.”
For information about next year’s event, visit happyvalleycomiccon.com. To see some images from this year’s event, check out the event’s Facebook page.
