Gas City Entertainment Expo plans full-day event for October
By FERNANDO MORENO Local Journalism Initiative Reporter on August 15, 2023.
mhnews@medicinehatnews.com Gas City Entertainment Expo is coming back on Oct. 21. Fans, vendors, gamers and cosplayers alike will be able to mingle regardless of level or skill set. This one-day event is for people with interest in pop culture expressions. “It’s just a really wide assortment of different things throughout the whole day,” says Walter Laboucane, director of the convention. “We want everyone to bring their kids and families.” Laboucane reminisces that he has been a science fiction and fantasy fan his whole life. He once even started a comic book store with his brother. The show will include a variety of attractions. Wrestlers Bronwyne Billington, Vance Nevada, (Local boy) Tyler ‘Hard’ Knox, Davey Boy Smith Jr, and, Ross and Bruce Hart will be making appearances. The event will be a haven for local and visiting cosplayers and everyone is encouraged to show up dressed as their favourite characters. This year’s cosplay guests will include Adrestia (Drumheller), CrownCorvia (local) and Masen Powers (local). Voice actor Brendan Hunter will also be visiting. He has visited multiple conventions in Alberta and is always sharing information for anyone with an interest in breaking into the voice acting industry. Vendors will have a variety of wares for sale. “We have different types of vendors from all over that sell all kinds of stuff,” says Laboucane. There will be comic books, graphic novels, video games, jewelry, crafts, crochet, anime and manga books, toys and T-shirts. Laboucane says that at present the GCEE is a small but growing convention where the organizers are still learning new things each year. It may one day expand to a multi-day event like larger conventions. “We get people from Calgary, Edmonton and Red Deer,” says Laboucane in reference to visiting vendors and cosplayers. “Down the long road I would like to see this thing become the next biggest thing for Medicine Hat.” There will be tournaments where video game players can show off their strategies and contest categories where cosplayers can show off their skills for the chance to earn prizes. “It helps bring the genres back to life again,” expresses Laboucane. He says the event is made possible through support of various sponsors, which contribute in a multitude of ways such as funding, provisions or sign making. Laboucane says they are always looking for and accepting new sponsors. The convention will be held at the Medicine Hat Exhibition & Stampede auditorium building from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. The cost to enter is $10 and kids under 12 are free. Updates will be posted on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter. “There’s a lot going on in this world today, especially in Medicine Hat, and we need things to happen for the kids and the families to help push them along through. 20-19
