CORNWALL, Ontario – Many locals and visitors adorned trendy cosplay and smiles at this year’s Cornwall and Area Pop Event, held at the Benson Centre.
“We’re excited, we’re happy,” said Co-Organizer, Carol Sauve. “Great turnout again, great community support and from outside visitors.”
The weekend-long event, held from Saturday, April 27 to Sunday, April 28, is the only of its kind in Cornwall and SDG.
“Our community doesn’t have this outlet. We only have one comic book store and there are people we know are buying the comics and embrace (CAPE)…” said Sauve about why the event is important in our region. “A lot of people can’t afford the bigger shows…this erases that. They don’t have to travel, it’s right in their backyard…we appreciate all the support. People are all dressed up. Our social media is just blowing up right now; it’s fabulous.”
This year’s event featured several options for families, including a variety of vendors, artisans, comic book writers, independent artists and cosplayers. Recognized individuals such as Pat Mastroianni, Stacy Mistysyn and Stefan Brogren of Degrassi High, Lew Temple of Halloween and Walking Dead, Scout Taylor-Compton of Halloween, and authors Jack Briglio and J. Torres. were also in attendance.
On the 27th, a V.I.P. Degrassi High detention pizza party took place with a small group of fans, who left with a swag bag including a piece of brick from the school where Degrassi High was filmed. Sauve said one of her favourite moments of the entire weekend took place during the intimate meet and greet.
“As most people are aware, there’s flooding going on in Ottawa and Montreal right now. One of our guests, her house is flooding and she still managed to, as a distraction, get to CAPE and attend the Degrassi Pizza Party. She was chosen as the winner of our Degrassi Palooza tickets, so it was very rewarding and it was a touching moment,” said Sauve.
Sauve said organizers received a lot of compliments on the event, especially pertaining to the family feel of the show and how people could talk with the guests and not be rushed by any lines.
“We are grateful for the fan support and the community support, local businesses who support us – City of Cornwall, Cornwall Tourism…we are looking forward to CAPE 2020, April 25 and 26, save the date,” said Sauve.
