Calgary Comic and Entertainment Expo returns today with Parade of Wonders
Posted Apr 28, 2023 9:49 am.
Last Updated Apr 28, 2023 12:09 pm.
The Calgary Comic and Entertainment Expo returns today with the beloved Parade of Wonders set to kick off the festivities Friday morning.
The parade was cancelled last year as a result of a spring snowstorm but is returning Friday at 10:30 a.m., beginning at 8 Street and 8 Avenue SE before it wraps up at Olympic Plaza with the official opening ceremonies less than an hour later.
“There’s a great fandom community here in Calgary, and we’re delighted that everyone is coming back in full force,” says vice president of Fan Expo HQ Andrew Moyes.
There is no shortage of stars in Calgary for this year’s event: the original Incredible Hulk, Lou Ferrigno, Hayden Christensen from Star Wars, David Harbour from Stranger Things and the iconic Commander Riker Jonathan Frakes from Star Trek.
The festivities are ongoing until Sunday evening, with countless activities and fun covering many different interests.
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Calgary has become a must-see on the convention circuit, thanks to annual events with big stars and comic creators and the increased interest generated as more productions choose the city as their backdrop.
“We work always to bring the biggest names we can to the city, and of course, there is huge titles being filmed here now like The Last of Us, so that’s certainly helped the visibility in the city,” Moyes said. “But every year, we look at each other and say, ‘How are we going to top it?’ And we’re super excited by the list this year.”
With that being said, the organizer indicated plans are already in the works for the 2024 event.
“This is the largest signature event in the city, so really, we’re already planning for next year,” he said, adding that every year brings its own challenges.
“There’s always new nuances to navigate when you’re putting on an event of this scale, obviously, bringing together all our hundreds of vendors and the huge celebrities we bring in too,” Moyes explained. “So, lots of fun challenges to work through to bring the ultimate experience to the city.”
IN PHOTOS: Parade of Wonders
Hundreds of people marched down Stephen Avenue on Friday morning during the Parade of Wonders, kicking off the 2023 Calgary Comic Expo.
Individuals dressed as Pikachu and Ash Ketchum pose at the Parade of Wonders in Calgary on Friday, April 28, 2023. (Logan Stein, CityNews image)
Robert Patrick, who appeared as the T-1000 in Terminator 2 waves to fans at the Calgary Parade of Wonders on Friday, April 28, 2023. (Todd Kaufman, CityNews image)
Someone dressed as Chewbacca and someone dressed as Sam Wilson from Marvel walk towards Olympic Plaza during the Parade of Wonders on Friday, April 28, 2023. (Logan Stein, CityNews image)
A banner at the start of the Parade of Wonders in Calgary on Friday, April 28, 2023. (Logan Stein, CityNews image)
Darth Vader, right, poses with Obi-Wan Kenobi at the Parade of Wonders in Calgary on Friday, April 28, 2023. (Logan Stein, CityNews image)
-With files from Logan Stein
