5 Reasons The Bangor Comic & Toy Con Rebrand To Queen City Expo Is Maine's Must-Attend Event
The landscape of Maine's pop culture conventions is undergoing an exciting transformation, with the beloved Bangor Comic & Toy Con officially evolving into the Queen City Expo. This major update, which came into effect following the successful 2024 event, sets the stage for a bigger, bolder, and more diverse convention experience in the heart of Bangor. As of today, December 25, 2025, fans are eagerly anticipating the next iteration of this premier event, which promises to expand beyond just comics and toys to embrace a wider array of fandoms, including anime, gaming, and horror.
The convention, organized by Vacationland Entertainment, remains the definitive fan gathering in Central Maine, consistently drawing crowds to the Cross Insurance Center. The rebrand reflects the event's growing scope, ensuring that whether you're chasing autographs from a celebrity guest or searching for that rare vintage collectible, the Queen City Expo offers a fresh, comprehensive, and unforgettable weekend for every enthusiast.
The Evolution: From Bangor Comic Con to Queen City Expo
The event known for years as the Bangor Comic & Toy Con has deep roots in the community, tracing its origins back to 2015. Its history is a testament to the thriving fan culture in Maine, consistently bringing major talent and thousands of attendees to the Cross Insurance Center.
The name change to Queen City Expo for the 2025 gathering signifies a strategic move by organizers, Vacationland Entertainment, to better reflect the convention’s broad appeal. While the core focus on comics, toys, and celebrity meet-and-greets remains, the new name encompasses the growing presence of other popular culture elements, such as video games, anime, horror, and general fandom merchandise. This expansion ensures the event remains fresh, relevant, and appealing to the next generation of convention-goers.
Key Event Details: Dates, Venue, and Organizer
- New Event Name: Queen City Expo (formerly Bangor Comic & Toy Con)
- Organizer: Vacationland Entertainment
- Venue: Cross Insurance Center, Bangor, Maine
- 2025 Dates: October 2–4, 2025 (Expected dates for the next major gathering)
- 2024 Dates (Last under old name): October 4–6, 2024
A Deep Dive into the Celebrity Guest Experience
One of the main draws of the Bangor convention has always been its impressive lineup of celebrity guests, offering fans rare opportunities for autographs, photo-ops, and Q&A panels. The 2024 event, the last under the old banner, showcased the high caliber of talent the organizers consistently secure, providing an excellent benchmark for what to expect at the future Queen City Expo gatherings.
The guest list typically features a diverse mix of voice actors from popular anime and video games, as well as actors known for their roles in cult classic films and television shows. This blend of talent ensures that both comic book purists and modern anime fans find someone exciting to meet.
Featured Guest Entities from Recent Events
The 2024 lineup, for example, was packed with fan-favorite personalities, demonstrating the event’s topical authority across multiple fandoms:
- Voice Acting Legends: The convention frequently hosts top-tier voice actors, often from the world of anime. Notable guests included Brad Swaile, famous for his roles as Light Yagami in *Death Note* and Nightcrawler in *X-Men: Evolution*. Other voice actors included Brandon McInnis, Christopher Wehkamp, Cynthia Cranz, and J. Michael Tatum, who collectively bring to life characters from massive franchises like *My Hero Academia* and *Attack on Titan*.
- Horror and Cult Film Stars: The convention has a strong tradition of bringing in actors from iconic horror and cult films. Andrew Hubatsek (known for *Pet Sematary*) and Brad Greenquist (*The Stand* and *Pet Sematary*) were among the stars who gave fans a chance to meet faces from classic Maine-based horror adaptations.
- Stunt and Movie Icons: Fans of classic cinema were thrilled to meet James Winburn, a legendary stuntman and actor with credits including the original *Halloween* (1978), further solidifying the convention’s appeal to diverse movie buffs.
- Comic Artists and Writers: Local and national comic book artists, such as Amanda Kahl and Bob Tkacik, are always a highlight, offering original art, commission opportunities, and insights into the world of sequential art.
A Practical Guide: Tickets, Attractions, and the Queen City Difference
Attending the Queen City Expo is a streamlined experience, primarily held at the spacious and central Cross Insurance Center. The convention is known for its accessibility and family-friendly atmosphere, making it a perfect weekend getaway for pop culture enthusiasts across New England.
Ticket Information and Pricing
While 2025 ticket prices will be released closer to the event, the 2024 pricing structure offers a clear expectation for planning your visit. Tickets are typically available as single-day passes or a full VIP weekend pass, catering to all levels of commitment.
- Single Day Passes: Prices vary by day, with Saturday being the peak day. For the 2024 event, Friday was $20.00, Saturday was $35.00, and Sunday was $25.00.
- VIP Pass: A popular choice for serious fans, the VIP Pass grants admission for all three days (Friday-Sunday) and often includes early access, special merchandise, and priority lines for autographs and photo-ops.
- Kid's Tickets: Single-day kid tickets are also available, emphasizing the event's focus on family entertainment.
The Core Attractions and Experiences
The Queen City Expo is more than just a place to meet celebrities; it’s a vibrant hub of fan activity, providing a complete convention experience that covers all major pop culture entities:
The Massive Vendor Hall: The main floor of the Cross Insurance Center transforms into a sprawling marketplace. Vendors and artists fill the space, offering everything from rare vintage action figures and Funko Pops to independent comic books, custom jewelry, and original artwork. This is the perfect place to find exclusive convention merchandise and support small businesses and local artists.
Cosplay Showcase and Competition: Cosplay is a central pillar of the event. Attendees dedicate months to crafting elaborate costumes, bringing characters from *Star Wars*, the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU), DC Comics, and countless anime series to life. The annual Cosplay Competition is a major highlight, offering prizes and bragging rights across various skill categories.
Panels and Workshops: Throughout the weekend, discussion panels featuring celebrity guests, industry professionals, and expert cosplayers offer deep dives into everything from the future of comics to the art of voice acting and filmmaking. These sessions are crucial for fans looking to gain insider knowledge and connect with their idols on a more personal level.
Gaming Zone: Reflecting the "Expo" rebrand, gaming has become a more prominent feature. Dedicated zones often host console gaming tournaments, tabletop games, and free-play areas, catering to the growing e-sports and board game communities.
The transition from Bangor Comic & Toy Con to Queen City Expo marks an exciting new chapter for Maine's largest pop culture gathering. By expanding its focus while maintaining its commitment to high-quality guests and a vibrant fan community, the Queen City Expo is solidifying its status as a premier New England convention and a must-visit event for fans of all ages and interests.
Detail Author:
- Name : Sophia Fay
- Username : schmeler.lurline
- Email : nicklaus.kihn@abbott.com
- Birthdate : 1982-03-26
- Address : 971 Tomas Street Apt. 707 Margueritemouth, FL 00790
- Phone : 847-516-3261
- Company : Gusikowski, Medhurst and Bogisich
- Job : Welder-Fitter
- Bio : Id in minus et vel. Est possimus est facere voluptatem. Quam eius id sint libero nemo. Magni quia atque labore corrupti accusantium ut.
Socials
tiktok:
- url : https://tiktok.com/@kenneth1086
- username : kenneth1086
- bio : Et facilis explicabo consequatur reiciendis.
- followers : 3207
- following : 2661
linkedin:
- url : https://linkedin.com/in/kfritsch
- username : kfritsch
- bio : Qui ut deserunt quibusdam est magni.
- followers : 355
- following : 1355
facebook:
- url : https://facebook.com/kenneth_real
- username : kenneth_real
- bio : Nisi aspernatur velit esse ab aliquid quo. Ut est commodi qui nihil reiciendis.
- followers : 6219
- following : 1989
