Fan Expo Canada draws thousands to downtown Toronto

Thousands decked out in weird and wonderful costumes descended on Toronto for Canada's large pop culture convention, Fan Expo Canada.

The event, beloved by fans of comics, sci-fi, horror, fantasy, anime, cosplay and gaming, got underway at the Metro Toronto Convention Centre on Thursday and ends Sunday.

"I'm just here for thrills, meeting friends, and all of that fun stuff," said Maliko Vivian, who travelled from Brockville, Ont., to attend. "You can dress up, have fun, be you but not you."

According to its website, the event features family activities, geek shopping, celebrity meet and greets, and guest autographs. But for many, it's all about celebrating fandom. 

Vivian, who dressed as Shadowheart from Baldur's Gate, a series of video games that involve role playing, said she appreciates the event because of "the fact that you get to be yourself and be not judged."

With her was her mother, Kim Vivian, decked out as Weird Barbie.

"It's been phenomenal," Vivian's mother said. "There's just so much to see."

Kim Vivian said she was excited to check out the vendors and to meet the characters of Blue's Clues because she has a granddaughter who loves the U.S. television series.

'Nerds at heart'

Romil Martinez, from Sudbury, Ont., was at the event in his Spiderman 2029 costume, which he 3-D printed and assembled himself. He said it took him months to finish.

Martinez said he goes to Fan Expo Canada to show off his work.

"It's my thing," he said. I love games, cosplays, stuff. It's very nice to see all of my friends at this convention. It's very amazing."

Peter Butler, from Port Dover, Ont., said he likes to see the costumes because a "lot of work and effort" goes into them. He said attendees enjoy the "geek world" on display. He was dressed as Captain Jean-Luc Picard from Star Trek: The Next Generation.

"We're all nerds at heart," he said. "The excitement and the people and the joint common interests — just a good time."