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focus on the best aspects of a comic con
Saturday short tour part 1
2026, Lehigh Valley Comic Con celebrated their 25th Anniversary + 3rd year at the Agriplex. In addition, it expanded into a 2-day experience. Featured Guests / artists / vendors / creators / a few surprises, they did not hold back in 2026.
Right off: Very special Thank You to staff / volunteers from Lehigh Valley Comic Con. Doing an excellent job in every area. Without them, any event would never make it past planning stages. Especially with the line waiting to experience it Saturday morning. Thank You to security for doing an excellent job without interfering with the experience. Can't forget about all the amazing artists / vendors / cosplayers and more helping to make the con feel more like a community than event.
One aspect that seriously impressed me right off: layout. Agriplex is split in 2 sections. They made the most of every square inch. Packing it with an impressive list in every area. Making sure everyone had enough room to move / check out everything (most aisles could fit 2 wide). Great planning considering the crowd size at points. In addition, unlike most cons, where each category has a section. Lehigh Valley Comic Con mixed it together. Vendors right next to artists / authors creators. Some people may see this as a little confusing, especially if you went there for a specific vendor / creator. It seriously worked, surprising you in every aisle and section. Plus, it gave you a chance to check out (hopefully spend money) some new favs. A majority of featured guests were on the walls, easy to find, avoiding choke points in the middle.
Admission price extremely impressive: $20 / 2-day pass, $50 / VIP, $10 for Sunday. Like another con / expo I love, they found a great balance here. Seriously, every event needs to make money, or it becomes extinct. They wanted to make sure you could bring the family / have cash left to spend on everything inside. Conversation with someone at a Wawa: "$20 is kind of expensive". Response: that is 2-day price. Other cons / expos 1-day price starts around $45.
Cosplay: Power Rangers / robots / Cobra Commander for President / Sunday, giant Optimus Prime were only part of this aspect. Check photos / videos for everyone who showed up in a very wide variety (to say the least). It was a serious pleasure meeting Tami Lynn (model & Cosplayer). She had no problem answering questions including why she does Cosplay. Leading to my next point...
Cons / Expos can be educational, Lehigh Valley Comic Con is no exception. Seriously, think about it, any conversation you have is a great way to learn about different areas. Example: I was curious about a certain side of cosplay (Cosplay is not consent). Asked Tami Lynn about extent and if she had any experiences with harassment / fans going too far (answers are private). Tip: Try not ask questions they may have answered countless times. Be very respectful and intelligent, think about what drives you / your curiosity.
Surprises: Far end (right side), Optimus Prime / Megatron (semi versions) having a chance to show off. Depending on what exit you used, voice actors / actresses. The show closed at 4 p.m. on Sunday. Doors locked, time for the
Cosplay Contest! 2 categories (adults and youth) with prizes and an audience favorite highlighted this aspect. With judging in 2 sub-categories (store / retail purchased and hand-made), placed everyone on an equal level. Packing up was background vs. red carpet. Someone compared it to a mall fashion show. Considering it was the 1st year and no microphone, they did an excellent job! I thought backdrop was perfect. Connecting it to the con and street level. Covering a few, smaller, fashion shows at NYFW, very refreshing. Plus, if you looked around, gave you a great idea about all the behind-the-scenes going into an event like this.
Meeting one of the founders, had a conversation about 2 of my serious concerns: No props or bag check. Overall security was excellent from the Allentown Fairgrounds. Honestly, they did a great job maintaining a low profile. At no point did I notice anyone concerned about safety, including myself. Staff / volunteers were very vigilant. 2027: Don't be surprised to experience added layer of security. That part of conversation convinced me everyone's safety is their top priority. They are in the modern 2020's world / society (unlike most of Lehigh Valley).
Atmosphere: Lehigh Valley Comic Con had a real community feel to it. Something I picked up on at Fan Expo Philadelphia. You could relax / meet new people (or have annual reunions, personal experience) / be yourself. If you were there for at least a few hours, outside world didn't exist. Leading to my final point:
Losing track of time / taking a break. Entire day on Saturday, approx. 5 hours on Sunday; had to step outside for a few breaks (very high compliment). Hungry? Food / beverages were present, especially inside Agriplex. Saturday was a great chance to experience a wide variety of food inside Allentown Farmers Market. Unlike a majority of festivals / events in Lehigh Valley, alcoholic beverages were not available, even at after party (unfortunately, missed this one). Adding to safety / making it more family oriented.
One aspect having my curiosity every year. As Lehigh Valley Comic Con (already a major con / expo) evolves, what will happen when it outgrows Agriplex. Lehigh Valley does not have any major convention centers outside of hotels.
Lehigh Valley Comic Con is on a very short list. Events I can't wait to experience in the following year. Seriously recommend this to everyone, even if you are into comics. Ticket prices make it affordable for almost any budget. Please scroll down the rather long list: video review / photos / short tour / videos. Can't wait to experience how they will top 2026 and their 25th anniversary.
Right off: Very special Thank You to staff / volunteers from Lehigh Valley Comic Con. Doing an excellent job in every area. Without them, any event would never make it past planning stages. Especially with the line waiting to experience it Saturday morning. Thank You to security for doing an excellent job without interfering with the experience. Can't forget about all the amazing artists / vendors / cosplayers and more helping to make the con feel more like a community than event.
One aspect that seriously impressed me right off: layout. Agriplex is split in 2 sections. They made the most of every square inch. Packing it with an impressive list in every area. Making sure everyone had enough room to move / check out everything (most aisles could fit 2 wide). Great planning considering the crowd size at points. In addition, unlike most cons, where each category has a section. Lehigh Valley Comic Con mixed it together. Vendors right next to artists / authors creators. Some people may see this as a little confusing, especially if you went there for a specific vendor / creator. It seriously worked, surprising you in every aisle and section. Plus, it gave you a chance to check out (hopefully spend money) some new favs. A majority of featured guests were on the walls, easy to find, avoiding choke points in the middle.
Admission price extremely impressive: $20 / 2-day pass, $50 / VIP, $10 for Sunday. Like another con / expo I love, they found a great balance here. Seriously, every event needs to make money, or it becomes extinct. They wanted to make sure you could bring the family / have cash left to spend on everything inside. Conversation with someone at a Wawa: "$20 is kind of expensive". Response: that is 2-day price. Other cons / expos 1-day price starts around $45.
Cosplay: Power Rangers / robots / Cobra Commander for President / Sunday, giant Optimus Prime were only part of this aspect. Check photos / videos for everyone who showed up in a very wide variety (to say the least). It was a serious pleasure meeting Tami Lynn (model & Cosplayer). She had no problem answering questions including why she does Cosplay. Leading to my next point...
Cons / Expos can be educational, Lehigh Valley Comic Con is no exception. Seriously, think about it, any conversation you have is a great way to learn about different areas. Example: I was curious about a certain side of cosplay (Cosplay is not consent). Asked Tami Lynn about extent and if she had any experiences with harassment / fans going too far (answers are private). Tip: Try not ask questions they may have answered countless times. Be very respectful and intelligent, think about what drives you / your curiosity.
Surprises: Far end (right side), Optimus Prime / Megatron (semi versions) having a chance to show off. Depending on what exit you used, voice actors / actresses. The show closed at 4 p.m. on Sunday. Doors locked, time for the
Cosplay Contest! 2 categories (adults and youth) with prizes and an audience favorite highlighted this aspect. With judging in 2 sub-categories (store / retail purchased and hand-made), placed everyone on an equal level. Packing up was background vs. red carpet. Someone compared it to a mall fashion show. Considering it was the 1st year and no microphone, they did an excellent job! I thought backdrop was perfect. Connecting it to the con and street level. Covering a few, smaller, fashion shows at NYFW, very refreshing. Plus, if you looked around, gave you a great idea about all the behind-the-scenes going into an event like this.
Meeting one of the founders, had a conversation about 2 of my serious concerns: No props or bag check. Overall security was excellent from the Allentown Fairgrounds. Honestly, they did a great job maintaining a low profile. At no point did I notice anyone concerned about safety, including myself. Staff / volunteers were very vigilant. 2027: Don't be surprised to experience added layer of security. That part of conversation convinced me everyone's safety is their top priority. They are in the modern 2020's world / society (unlike most of Lehigh Valley).
Atmosphere: Lehigh Valley Comic Con had a real community feel to it. Something I picked up on at Fan Expo Philadelphia. You could relax / meet new people (or have annual reunions, personal experience) / be yourself. If you were there for at least a few hours, outside world didn't exist. Leading to my final point:
Losing track of time / taking a break. Entire day on Saturday, approx. 5 hours on Sunday; had to step outside for a few breaks (very high compliment). Hungry? Food / beverages were present, especially inside Agriplex. Saturday was a great chance to experience a wide variety of food inside Allentown Farmers Market. Unlike a majority of festivals / events in Lehigh Valley, alcoholic beverages were not available, even at after party (unfortunately, missed this one). Adding to safety / making it more family oriented.
One aspect having my curiosity every year. As Lehigh Valley Comic Con (already a major con / expo) evolves, what will happen when it outgrows Agriplex. Lehigh Valley does not have any major convention centers outside of hotels.
Lehigh Valley Comic Con is on a very short list. Events I can't wait to experience in the following year. Seriously recommend this to everyone, even if you are into comics. Ticket prices make it affordable for almost any budget. Please scroll down the rather long list: video review / photos / short tour / videos. Can't wait to experience how they will top 2026 and their 25th anniversary.
video review
Part 1
Part 2
cosplay contest (sunday)
Adult Lineup
Preshow
saturday
Crowd waiting to get in
A lot of wild / unique / incredible Cosplay!
Crowd from food court
Short tour part 2
Short tour part 3
Short Tour part 4
Crowd
sunday
Short Tour
Crowd
behind the scenes
