CORNWALL & AREA POP EVENT – CAPE

Cornwall & Area Pop Event – CAPE will be held the weekend of April 23-24, 2016 in Cornwall at the Benson Centre.  CAPE features elements of the larger ComicCon and pop culture shows held in cities such as Ottawa, Montreal and Toronto with celebrity guests, artists, authors, guest vehicles and more than 100 exhibitors.  Last year’s inaugural one-day show saw more than 3500 people through its doors and with the increase to a two day show this year,  CAPE expects to attract a few thousand people.  Major guest announcements include Clerks movie cast members Brian O’Halloran, Marilyn Ghigliotti, Scott Schiaffo and Ernie O’Donnell,  AMC’s The Walking Dead cast members Steve Coulter, Coleman Youmans and Chris Harrelson as well as SIX Star Trek Original Series guests including BarBara Luna, Michael Forest, Sally Kellerman, Louise Sorel, Sean Kenney and Beverly Washburn.  Rounding out the guest list are International Cosplayer, Glamour Model and  Designer Marie-Claude Bourbonnais, actor Anderson Bradshaw and actress/singer Noelle Hannibal.  The show will also feature many other attractions and guests such as the Doctor Who Society of Canada, Ottawa Tardis, The Dalek Empire, Capital City Garrison 501st Legion (film-authentic Star Wars characters), the League of Superheroes, Ghostbusters:  Montreal, and guest vehicles including Knight Rider’s KITT, the Ecto-1 from Ghostbusters and Back to the Future’s DeLorean!

CAPE is hosted by Carol Grant and Randy Sauve, two local business people born and raised right here in Cornwall.  Both Grant and Sauve stress they wanted to feature many of the talented people from our own backyard and they actively sought out many of the area’s artists, authors, artisans and crafters for the event.  Says Grant, “The local arts community right here in Cornwall has TREMENDOUS talent!  We don’t even have to leave Cornwall and could easily feature an entire ice pad of talent alone with the people right here in our city!”  They also set out to showcase some young artists this year and will feature an exclusive Walking Dead comic book with blank cover artwork designed entirely by local area high school students from grades 9-12 in Cornwall and area.

With the increase to a two day show, Cornwall’s economy will reap many benefits.   Sauve states “These outside exhibitors, guests and the people that attend will all be spending their dollars right here in our city. They will eat here, stay here and hopefully shop here as well”.

Admission is $20 in advance ($22 at the door) for Saturday, $15 in advance ($17 at the door) for Sunday or $30 in advance ($35 at the door) for a Weekend Pass.  A Deluxe advance Weekend pass is also available for $55 (limited to 200) which features weekend admission, tote bag and limited edition print as well as comic books and other goodies.  Children 12 & under will be admitted FREE.

Media members are invited to attend the Opening Ceremony for a Photo Op at 9:45 a.m..  This year’s show also has an added personal element to it – Show organizers Carol Grant & Randy Sauve will be married in true geek fashion at 7:45 pm following the Saturday show.  With R2-D2 as the ring bearer and several other little surprises, the wedding will incorporate their pop culture and geeky passions and promises to be a fun event for all who attend.  There will be a Press Conference Saturday from 5:30-5:45 pm for any media members who wish to meet the couple in their wedding attire before the ceremony and get a photo or interview .  Media Kits are available for any media members who would like to cover the show and interview any of the guests.