Wizard World Is Coming to Rosemont

Chicago is in the middle of a heatwave and it is going to get even hotter when Wizard World hits town later this month. From August 23-26, Wizard World will take over the Donald E. Stephens Convention Center in Rosemont for a pop culture extravaganza like no other.

Wizard World Chicago's roots go back to 1972, when it was Nostalgia '72. Wizard Entertainment bought it in 1997 and it has become one of the biggest such events in the country. This year, it should attract about 100,000 attendees, including about 50 of my friends and me. Every year both of those numbers go up!

This year's Wizard World Chicago starts with literally starts with Kato Kaelin. I have previously written about the great job Kato does as the “Official host” of Wizard World. Kato is engaging, entertaining and charming in his role. He works the convention center harder than anyone, but he makes it seem easy and fun. The guy is magic and sets the tone for attendees.

As always, the celebrity guest list is chock full of awesome stars of the past and present. This year, that list includes, David Duchovny, Gillian Anderson, Henry Winkler, Holly Marie Combs, Charisma Carpenter, Tom Welling, Ben Savage, Danielle Fishel, Will Friedle, Rider Strong and about 40 more great celebrities.

The world of pro wrestling is also well-represented. Velvet Sky, Road Warrior Animal, Tommy Dreamer, Christian, Hurricane Helms, Billy Gunn and Enzo Amore are appearing this year. Of course, I am expecting to see many independent wrestlers at various booths or among the attendees. Wisconsin's #SuperFriend David Herro and his son Kal are just a couple of my wrestling friends I expect to see.

My friends there aren't limited to wrestlers though. I will be catching up with Nerd Parodist Paul Erickson, author James Finn Garner, author Dirk Manning, artist Robert A. Kraus (aka RAK), caricaturist Tom Richmond, writer Victor Dandridge and artist Kurt Dinse. I have become friends with each of them over the many years of seeing them at Wizard World. I am sure I will make a few new creator friends this year, as well as meeting dozens of others.

Aside from the great creators fr4iends I have made, I always enjoy strolling and talking to the creative folks in Artist Alley. Authors, artists, movie makers and more display and talk about their fantastic creations. Every year, I but more stuff than planned, but I always walk away satisfied. Several artists I have met at Wizard World have their artwork hanging in my home and many authors are represented on my bookshelves. It is just extra special to know them as well as having their works

Several inanimate, but pop culturally significant, objects will be on display. This is your chance to check out the Bluesmobile, the Scooby-Do Mystery Machine, the Batmobile, the DeLorean Time Machine, the Jurassic Park Explorer and other cool vehicles.

Cosplaying is one of the quickest growing aspects of Wizard World. The Age of the Geeks, featuring my friend Rob Fury, will be all over the convention floor. They have elaborate costumes and well-done theatrics.

The fun of cosplay isn't limited to the professionals or the groups. Anyone can cosplay and many do cosplay. The Joker and Harley Quinn are two of the most popular, but you'll see literally hundreds of other characters represented among the cosplayers. I always bemoan the lack of anyone cosplaying Aquaman, but maybe I'll start seeing more with the impending release of the movie.

Vendors selling pop culture goodies of all sorts take up about half of the convention floor. I don't really go into Wizard World looking for things to buy, but I always leave with things I love. I have purchased figures, books, posters and more.

The last big part of Wizard World is reconnecting with friends. In addition to the celebrities and creators who have become my friends, I always love seeing my attendee friends. Some I have met through Wizard World, while others are longtime friends who share the pop culture interest with me. Either way, it's like a big family and friends reunion.

Wizard World is a huge event in multiple cities throughout the year, but somehow each event seems intimate. When you enter a Wizard World event, it's easy to be blown away by everything you see, but when you break it down, it's the one-on-one connections you make throughout the days.

I have been going to Wizard World in Chicago for many years and I have even attended the event in several other cities, because once a year in Chicago wasn't enough! I love Wizard World and I can't wait for August 23!