It’s all one, massive pleased fandom at GalaxyCon in San Jose

I’m just a little extra optimistic concerning the future after seeing the range on the exhibit ground at GalaxyCon, which opened its three-day run Friday afternoon on the San Jose McEnery Conference Middle.

I’m not speaking about variety simply when it comes to age, ethnicity, gender or sexual orientation — although that’s all true, too — however within the various kinds of followers getting autographs, attending panels and connecting with one another in entrance of a sales space promoting 3D-printed sci-fi props or knockoff Labubus.

Anyone strolling the conference ground will instantly be dispelled of the notion that occasions like GalaxyCon are just for teenaged boys and middle-aged males nostalgic for their very own youth. These followers are completely there, however they’re properly balanced out by girls, {couples} and households.

Daniel Torres, of San Jose, dressed as “Kidpool” battles Raphael...

Daniel Torres, of San Jose, dressed as “Kidpool” battles Raphael of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles throughout GalaxyCon held on the San Jose McEnery Conference Middle in San Jose, Calif., on Friday, Aug. 15, 2025. (Jose Carlos Fajardo/Bay Space Information Group)

Character artist Stephen Silver attracts Scotty Douglass, of Modesto and his spouse Michelle Douglass throughout GalaxyCon held on the San Jose McEnery Conference Middle in San Jose, Calif., on Friday, Aug. 15, 2025. (Jose Carlos Fajardo/Bay Space Information Group)

Darth Vader wanders via the exhibit corridor as children encourage one another to say “hi” throughout GalaxyCon held on the San Jose McEnery Conference Middle in San Jose, Calif., on Friday, Aug. 15, 2025. (Jose Carlos Fajardo/Bay Space Information Group)

Marla Dean, of Monterey, dressed as “Lady Davros” and her husband Jeff Dean dressed as “Doctor Who” take break within the foyer after attending GalaxyCon held on the San Jose McEnery Conference Middle in San Jose, Calif., on Friday, Aug. 15, 2025. Girl Davros is a personality Marla created since she makes use of a wheelchair and felt it was an ideal match with the Davros character who additionally makes use of a chair. (Jose Carlos Fajardo/Bay Space Information Group)

Bob Jensen, of Santa Clara, dressed as “Jedi master Shaak-Ti” poses for {a photograph} throughout GalaxyCon held on the San Jose McEnery Conference Middle in San Jose, Calif., on Friday, Aug. 15, 2025. (Jose Carlos Fajardo/Bay Space Information Group)

Two women cease to have a dialog as Eric Ortiz, of Oakdale, dressed because the “Trapper” waits for his subsequent unsuspected victims throughout GalaxyCon held on the San Jose McEnery Conference Middle in San Jose, Calif., on Friday, Aug. 15, 2025. (Jose Carlos Fajardo/Bay Space Information Group)

Bobby Quinn, of San Carlos, shakes arms with actor Lou Ferrigno, throughout an autograph session at GalaxyCon held on the San Jose McEnery Conference Middle in San Jose, Calif., on Friday, Aug. 15, 2025. (Jose Carlos Fajardo/Bay Space Information Group)

Matthew Salazar, of San Jose, dressed as

“Ghost Rider” wanders the exhibit halls throughout GalaxyCon held on the San Jose McEnery Conference Middle in San Jose, Calif., on Friday, Aug. 15, 2025. (Jose Carlos Fajardo/Bay Space Information Group)

D-Squad member Juan Castaneda, of Harmony, removes the pinnacle of an RD-D2 unit that’s malfunctioning throughout GalaxyCon held on the San Jose McEnery Conference Middle in San Jose, Calif., on Friday, Aug. 15, 2025. (Jose Carlos Fajardo/Bay Space Information Group)

Comedian e-book artist Stephane Roux makes use of ink to attract a canopy paintings throughout GalaxyCon held on the San Jose McEnery Conference Middle in San Jose, Calif., on Friday, Aug. 15, 2025. (Jose Carlos Fajardo/Bay Space Information Group)

Actress and director Soleil Moon Frye autographs a photograph of herself throughout GalaxyCon held on the San Jose McEnery Conference Middle in San Jose, Calif., on Friday, Aug. 15, 2025. (Jose Carlos Fajardo/Bay Space Information Group)

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That very true among the many vendor stalls, the place you should buy every part from comedian books and unique artwork to crocheted characters and jewellery.

You may run into a man in a Ghostbusters outfit, full with proton pack, see Starfleet officers from a number of totally different eras taking a photograph collectively or a gaggle of younger girls shopping for handmade press-on nails from a girl in inexperienced face make-up. There are individuals dressed as recognizable characters from comedian books, fantasy films and TV exhibits and video video games. However some chances are you’ll not acknowledge in any respect, and there’s no higher icebreaker at a spot like GalaxyCon than asking somebody about their cosplay.

That was my expertise Friday once I talked to Star Mia O’Fairy and Nico Smith, who have been costumed as Stolas, a personality from the YouTube present “Helluva Boss.” The 2 mates — Smith got here down from Sacramento for the present — have been each excited to fulfill voice actors from each that present and “Hazbin Hotel,” which can also be created by animator and author Vivienne Medrano, who was very talked-about with selfie-seeking followers Friday.

Truthfully, I didn’t know a factor about both present earlier than Friday, however their passionate fandom was acquainted. And it was shared by quite a lot of different individuals since “Helluva Boss” star Brandon Rogers in all probability obtained the largest cheers at Friday’s ribbon-cutting ceremony, which included GalaxyCon CEO Mike Broder, unique “Hulk” Lou Ferrigno, actor Barry Bostwick from “The Rocky Horror Picture Show,” San Jose Barracuda mascot Frenzy; and San Jose Councilmember Rosemary Kamei, who obtained into the spirit by sporting a blue uniform high from the animated sequence “Star Trek: Lower Decks.”

Saturday’s superstar friends embody Jeremy Renner, Hawkeye from Marvel’s “The Avengers”; and Capt. Kirk himself, William Shatner; Dolph Lundgren from “Rocky IV,” and actor Giancarlo Esposito, whose fanbase ranges from “Breaking Bad” to “The Mandalorian.” There’s additionally a fiftieth anniversary “Shadowcast” exhibiting of “The Rocky Horror Picture Show” and a fancy dress contest.

Sunday’s schedule consists of Q&As with Ferrigno, actor and director Soleil Moon Frye of “Punky Brewster” fame; character actor Danny Trejo, who has managed to steal scenes in nearly every part he’s been in; and forged members from the unique “Scream,” together with Matthew Lillard and Jamie Kennedy.

That’s only a fraction of the schedule (go to www.galaxycon.com/sanjose for the entire thing). GalaxyCon is sort of a carnival that rolls into city with a coterie of tattoo artists, professional wrestlers, players, comedian e-book creators, popular culture celebrities, YouTubers and cosplayers. Not less than right here in San Jose, it’s refreshing to see individuals of various ages and backgrounds come collectively to get pleasure from what they love — and it doesn’t matter if it’s Superman, “Scream” or every part in between.

ALL PLAY, NO WORK: Canyon Snow Consulting celebrated its twentieth anniversary Thursday with a celebration at Rollati Ristorante in downtown San Jose, and the festivities introduced collectively each purchasers just like the Open House Authority of Santa Clara Valley and Glydways and elected officers they foyer together with U.S. Rep. Sam Liccardo, San Jose Mayor Matt Mahan and majorities of each the San Jose Metropolis Council and the Santa Clara County Board of Supervisors.

That prompted founders Jennifer Johnson and Leslee Guardino to playfully level out that no substantive enterprise needs to be mentioned on the get together to maintain from violating the Brown Act.

PARTY WITH A PURPOSE: Most cancers CAREpoint is bringing its annual Backyard Celebration again to a favourite venue, Nestldown within the Santa Cruz Mountains, on Aug. 24. And nonprofit, which was based in 2010 to supply help companies for most cancers sufferers and their households, has two featured audio system set for the fundraiser to share their tales with an anticipated 350 supporters.

Hannah Haworth was recognized with most cancers simply 5 days after her daughter’s first birthday and credit Most cancers CAREpoint with serving to her make sense of her prognosis. The opposite speaker is Joelle Kaufman, writer of “Crushing the Cancer Curveball: A Playbook for the Newly Diagnosed and Their Family and Friends” and a tech start-up government has battled most cancers as each a caregiver and as a affected person.

Get extra data or tickets at cancercarepoint.org/gardenparty.

YOUNG AT HEART: The following time you’re feeling just a little worn out, it would assist to consider Betty Ann Chandler. This Sunday, the San Jose resident is celebrating her 108th birthday. She was born Aug. 17, 1917 in a home constructed by her grandfather in San Jose’s Naglee Park neighborhood, which was nonetheless a comparatively new subdivision when she arrived on the scene. She nonetheless lives within the neighborhood, however not in the identical home, and stays the oldest member of the San Jose Girl’s Membership.

SAN JOSE, CALIFORNIA – AUGUST 17: Betty Ann Chandler celebrates her one hundred and fifth birthday with San Jose Mayor Sam Liccardo throughout an outside get together at her Naglee Park dwelling in San Jose, Calif., Wednesday, Aug. 17, 2022. (Karl Mondon/Bay Space Information Group)

There was a giant neighborhood celebration when Betty Ann turned 105 in 2022, and he or she’s nonetheless going sturdy. Her daughter, Athene Mantle, took a video of her this week sporting a brand new sparkly crimson ballcap that reads “108 Years Young” on the entrance. And that’s just about how Betty Ann thinks about her life.

“I’m not going to be old. I don’t want to be old,” Chandler says within the video. “I’m going to be young. And happy. I want to smile all the time.”