C2E2 2019 Delivers 3 Days of Pop Culture Fun

The Chicago Comic and Entertainment Expo (C2E2) has come and gone and oh what a 3 day event it was! It was nonstop fun from beginning to end.

Every year, as C2E2 announces guests and events, I start planning my days there. There is so much going on that I need to plan my days accordingly to squeeze in everything I want to do. Sometimes it is a logistical challenge to get from one event to another in time, but that speaks volumes on just how jam-packed C2E2 is with cool things.

I always try to meet the celebrities at my first opportunity, because their lines will only get longer as the weekend progresses. Fortunately, I met every celebrity on my list.

My celebrity encounters started with Chicago's own CM Punk. The former WWE champ and comics fan is always a fun guest at these conventions. While I have heard stories of him being a bit gruff in other settings, he has never been anything but awesome at C2E2. In fact, Punk was so cool that I brought other friends with me to see him again on Saturday.

Staying with the wrestling theme, I also met announcer Tony Schiavone, manager Jim Cornette and executive Eric Bischoff. Each has a place in wrestling history and all were very fan-friendly.

Elizabeth (EG) Daily won my affection as “Dottie” in PeeWee's Big Adventure. Many years later, she is still adorable and was a total sweetheart. She complimented me on my glasses and asked about them.

The last celebrity on my list took some real timing, because I knew he would have a long line. Chicago's horror icon Svengoolie draws fans like few others. This is an extra special year for Rich Koz as he celebrates 40 years of Sven. I managed to be first in line, a line which grew to hundreds before Sven signed his last autograph. As always, he was one of the nicest people I have ever met. Besides being a legend, he is simply a genuinely awesome person.

Oddly for me, that was it for the celebrities. Usually I meet more, but this year, the celebrity list featured a lot of stars outside of my field of interest. All were very popular, with many of my friends seeing plenty of the others, but for me with budget and time constraints, I put my attention elsewhere.

Mid-Saturday afternoon, I attended an event featuring the Chicago League of Lady Arm Wrestlers (CLLAW). This was my first experience with CLLAW and after the hour of fun, it won't be my last.

The event featured 4 first round matches, followed by the semi-finals and the championship. Each match was a best of 3 20 second arm wrestling matches. In the end, Gal Fieri defeated reigning CLLAW champ Elton Brawn to win the C2E2 2019 championship. How this plays into the regular title picture is unknown, but I am sure all will be addressed at their next event scheduled for July 27.

The written facts of the event do not do justice to the lively entertainment of the show. Part rock concert, part wrestling showmanship, part theater, the show was an hour of pure fun.

As always, I spent a lot of time in Artist Alley. I met my usual talented friends, including Dick Manning, K. Lynn Smith, James Finn Garner, Paul Erickson, Victor Dandridge, Tom Richmond, Art Baltazar, Jenevieve Broomall, Princess Etch and many more. I also made some new friends like Ashley Witter, Franco and Greg Horn. I continue to be amazed at their beautiful work, especially how many create right on the spot amid all of the craziness of the event.

Leaving C2E2 is always bittersweet. By the end, I am tired, but charged from the fun. I always have so much fun soaking in everything. I never want it to end and I always immediately look forward to next year's C2E2. C2E2 2019 might have been my favorite one yet, but somehow I think C2E2 2020 will top it.