What began as little more than a front yard birthday party with costumes has grown into a celebrated community event featuring thousands of attendees.
This weekend, August 15-16, marks the third year that Excalibur Con has been held at the DECC. The pop culture and tabletop gaming convention has become a congregation of like-minded enthusiasts from the surrounding area and beyond. "If we encompass the Northland: the Iron Range, Northern Wisconsin, the Duluth-Superior area - we're a very large population," says Steve Kaarbo, organizer of Excalibur Con. "And a very large population of nerds."
For attendees, there are opportunities to play in tabletop tournaments, visit with artists, make purchases from vendors, meet voice actors from K-Pop Demon Hunters and other movies and TV shows, and get dressed up as your favorite character. There are costume contests for all levels of participants, from amateur to professional.
But amid all of the photos and autographs, there's a deeper mission to the convention - one of belonging. "People find their community," says Kaarbo. "Each year that we've done this event, there's been people that will literally say 'I've found my people.'"
For more information about tickets, experiences, and schedule for this weekend's events, visit the Excalibur Con website.
You can hear Community Connection every Tuesday and Thursday at 8am on Northland Morning.
