HOT SPRINGS NATIONAL PARK, Arkansas — Nationally known cosplayers will be featured and will interact with fans September 23 – 25 at the Spa-Con 6.0 comics and pop culture convention in Hot Springs.
“We’ll have some of the best cosplayers in the country to hold workshops, kids’ showcases and meet with fans at this year’s Spa-Con,” Visit Hot Springs Marketing Director Bill Solleder said. “Cosplay has always been one of our convention’s most popular features, and we have some great ones this year.” Cosplay is the practice of dressing up as a character from a movie, book or video game.
Solleder said the cosplayers who will be on hand in September include:
• Cowbutt Crunchies Cosplay, an internationally acclaimed couple who specialize in complex couture cosplay and incredible pop culture-based designs. They specialize in creating mixed-media masterpieces using a wide variety of techniques, including advanced needlework, extreme wigwork, moldmaking, armor detailing and more. They will host a chainmail mesh workshop at 2 p.m. Saturday, September 24. Seating will be limited. They also will be in the Expo Hall at the Hot Springs Convention Center all weekend.
• Gregory Harris, a cosplayer since 2016 who has performed in the prestigious international cosplay contest, Crown Championships of Cosplay, in Chicago. He performed in the Masquerade at San Diego Comic Con in 2018 and 2019. He’ll host the Kids Cosplay Showcase at 10:30 a.m. on Saturday, September 24. Solleder emphasized that the Kids Showcase is not a contest.
• Bruce Holt and Cheeky Cheetah, Holt, owner of Forged in Foam Cosplay, has created and built costumes for decades. He is a master costume builder, a costume building techniques instructor, an airbrush artist, a cosplayer and Head of Creative Council/Board at The Figmentation Foundation. Cheeky Cheetah Cosplay (Anita Holmes) is a professional Arkansas-based costume designer, maker, and artist with more than seven years of costuming experience in building and designing costumes. She and Holt will hosting a Perfecting EVA Foam Seams Panel on Sunday, September 25, at 11 a.m., and also will be be in Expo Hall all weekend. Previously announced features at this year’s Spa-Con include the Hawkins Electric Van from “Stranger Things” and Dean Winchester’s 1967 Chevrolet Impala from “Supernatural.” Also, actors Lori Petty, Beau Billingslea and Mark Rolston.
Also announced previously is the Spa-Con Showdown Smash Bros. Video Game Tournament that will be featured at the convention.
Solleder said tickets for the 2022 Spa-Con are available at the Spa-Con website: www.spa-con.org. He said weekend pass ticket prices for those who register before July 23 are $25. The price goes up to $35 between July 23 and September 23. He said there are 100 VIP passes available for $100 until July 23. The VIP passes are $125 between July 23 and September 22. These passes purchased on September 23 are $150.
For more information call Bill Solleder at 501-321-2027.