Spa-Con Comic & Pop Culture Convention
Location: Hot Springs Convention Center, 134 Convention Boulevard
Event Date: September 22 - 24
What do Rodger Bumpass, Barry Bostwick, Michelle Harrison, Pam Grier, Veronica Taylor, Sheryl Lee, Shannon Purser, Caitlin Glass, and Christopher Corey have in common? They've all been to Spa-Con! Spa-Con is a pop culture and comic convention at the Hot Springs Convention Center in Hot Springs National Park, Arkansas. Scheduled for its seventh installment September 22-24. This event has EVERYTHING! Panels and workshops with guests, meet and greet and photo opportunities with celebrities, a cosplay contest, incredible artists and vendors, and a list of comic artists and cosplayers from across The United States.
For more information visit spa-con.org or call 501-321-2277.
Spa-Con Season 7, coming to the Hot Springs Convention Center September 22 - 24!
VIP Passes $150
Weekend Passes $35
Day Passes $20
*
Tickets available at spa-con.org.
Ticket prices will increase September 22, 2023.
Special Guests
We are pleased to welcome special guests Annabeth Gish (X-files), Orlando Jones (MadTV), and Janeshia Adams-Ginyard (Black Panther: Wakanda Forever)!
Annabeth Gish
"X-Files" star and versatile actress, Annabeth Gish, will be a featured guest September 22 & 23 at Spa-Con Season 7!
Gish played Kat, the sister of Julia Roberts' character in 1988's "Mystic Pizza," but might be most recognizable from her role as Special Agent Monica Reyes in the show "X-Files." Most recently, Gish had a recurring role as the caretaker Mrs. Dudley in The "Haunting of Hill House," and played Dr. Sarah Gunning in Netflix's "Midnight Mass." Annabeth Gish will be present at Spa-Con on Friday and Saturday. She will be introduced at Opening Ceremonies, hold a Q&A, have a free photo session for fans, AND be present in the Expo Hall.
Orlando Jones
Orlando Jones, multi-talented writer-actor-comedian-storyteller will be a featured guest September 22 - 24 at Spa-Con Season 7!
Orlando Jones, who has been called "the King of Fandom" by MTV is the only original cast member on "Mad TV" to write and perform on the series. Jones' writing, acting, and producing can be recognized from: "A Different World," "Martin," "The Good Lord Bird," "Madiba," the "American Gods" sequel, and "Sleepy Hollow." Orlando Jones will be at all three days of Spa-Con. He will be introduced at Opening Ceremonies, hold a Q&A, have a free photo session for fans, AND be present in the Expo Hall.
Janeshia Adams-Ginyard
Janeshia Adams-Ginyard, who starred in the blockbuster movies "Black Panther" and "Black Panther: Wakanda Forever," will be a featured guest September 22 - 24 at Spa-Con Season 7!
Janeshia is known for her role as Nomble, one of the Dora Milaje in the two hit movies. Janeshia Adams-Ginyard will be at all three days of the 2023 edition of the comics and pop culture convention, signing autographs in the Expo Hall on Saturday and Sunday! She will also hold a one-hour question-and-answer session with fans and will conduct a one-hour stunts training workshop (Stunts 101).
Rodger Bumpass
Returning to Spa-Con, our favorite sarcastic squid in the whole sea, Rodger Bumpass AKA Squidward Tentacles from Spongebob Squarepants!
"Come enjoy SPA-CON! Where Mayonnaise Is Still Not An Instrument!" -Squidward Tentacles
In addition to playing the voice of Squidward Tentacles, Emmy-nominated voice actor Rodger Bumpass was also the voice of Professor Membrane in “Invader Zim,” Dr. Light in “Teen Titans” and Hanover Fyst in the cult favorite “Heave Metal.” He has provided various voices in many of Disney and Pixar feature animation movies such as “A Bug’s Life,” “Monsters Inc.,” “Cars,” “Finding Nemo,” “Treasure Planet,” “Emperor’s New Groove” and “Monsters University.”
Galactic Empire Concert
Galactic Empire will kick off Spa-Con at Opening Ceremonies on Friday, September 22 in Hot Springs National Park, Arkansas! Join the galaxy’s foremost progressive technical heavy metal Star Wars cosplay John Williams tribute band as they lay waste to Planet Earth. Prepare for an evening of most impressive heavy metal!
Tickets on sale NOW at spa-con.org!
*The Galactic Empire concert is included in the purchase of a VIP Pass or Weekend Pass.
Artists
Daniel Scott Jr.
Daniel Scott Jr. is a pop artist who makes his art entirely out of candy wrappers. With more than 25 years perfecting this technique, his portfolio consists of stunning portraits depicting the likeness of pop culture icons and movies.
Jerry Bingham
Jerry Bingham is an American comic artist who has worked for both Marvel and DC. He is known for his artwork on “Black Panther,” “Iron Man,” “Spiderman,” “Marvel Team-Up,” “Marvel Two-In-One,” and the DC Comics graphic novels “Batman: Son of the Demon,” “Batman: In Darkest Knight” and “Batman: Super Powers” also known as “Batman Confidential.” His awards include 1984 Jack Kirby Award, 1987 Golden Apple Award and the 1999 Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Animated Program.
Pat Moriarity
Pat Moriarity is an artist, cartoonist, designer, illustrator and animator. His recent clients include Rhino Records, Stand Up! Records and Adobe Software. He animated an official music video for the Minneapolis rock band The Replacements in 2022. Moriarity has been a guest at Spa-Con before and said, "I love Hot Springs and look forward to returning for 2023"!
Cosplayers
Each of our Spa-Con Season 7 cosplay guests are experts in craftsmanship, harnessing their creativity to craft true works of art in their cosplays!
Celebrity Cars
The 1972 Winnebago RV from "Stranger Things: Season 4" and the 2000 Ford Crown Victoria from "The Walking Dead: Season 1" will be in the Expo Hall Saturday and Sunday!
Spa-Con Season 7 Passes available at spa-con.org!
VIP Pass Includes :
SWAG - VIP T-shirt, tote bag, laminate, Spa-Con notebook, Spa-Con cup
ACCESS - Access to the VIP Lounge and Advanced access to all panels, workshops, and photo-ops
EVENTS - 2 VIP Meet and Greets, 3 exclusive VIP after parties at Superior Bathhouse Brewery, The Porterhouse Club, and the Hotel Hot Springs
Weekend Pass Includes :
SWAG - Spa-Con T-shirt, tote bag, & laminate
ACCESS - Access to Expo Hall, Q&A's, Workshops & Panels Saturday & Sunday
EVENTS - Opening Ceremonies, Cosplay Club & Contest, & SpAcademy Awards!
SPA-CON SHOWDOWN : STREET FIGHTER 6! ($1,000 Pot Bonus)
The Spa-Con Showdown is BACK with Street Fighter 6! Only 128 competitors will be accepted for the tournament, and they must complete registration in advance at start.gg/spacon2023.
The Garland County Library and National Park College will sponsor the 2023 Spa-Con Showdown, a top-rated video gaming competition that will be part of the Spa-Con Season 7 pop culture and comic convention!
SPA-CON SHOWDOWN SCHEDULE
SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 23
10 AM: Doors Open & Check-In Start
12 PM: Check-In ENDS for Street Fighter 6 3v3 Team Tournament
1 PM: Street Fighter 6 3v3 Team Tournament Starts
1:30 PM: Check-In ENDS for Street Fighter 6 Singles
2:30 PM: Street Fighter 6 Singles Pool Play
4 PM: Street Fighter 6 Singles Pool Play
6 PM: Street Fighter 6 Singles Final Bracket Play
SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 24
11AM - 3PM | Free Play!
Tri-Lakes CASA Superhero Parade Led by 501st Legion
Calling all superheroes! The Tri-Lakes CASA Superhero Parade is returning for Spa-Con Season 7!
Register now at : http://eventbrite.com/.../tri-lakes-casa-superhero-parade...
The Diamond Garrison of the The 501st Legion will be leading the CASA Superhero Parade through the Expo Hall to kick off Spa-Con Season 7! The first 100 registrants will receive a custom superhero cape, t-shirt, and all registered marchers under the age of 13 will receive a complimentary Saturday Day pass to Spa-Con.
Saturday, September 23, 2023
Registration 8:30 AM | Parade Starts 10:00 AM
Spa-Con Season 7 Schedule
FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 22, 2023
5 PM - Registration Opens
6 PM - Opening Ceremonies
6:30 PM - Galactic Empire Concert
(Expo Hall Open Saturday & Sunday)
SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 23, 2023
9 AM - Registration Opens
10 AM - Expo Hall Open
10 AM - Showdown Doors Open
10:30 AM - Kids Cosplay Showcase (not a contest)
11 AM - Forged with Foam Demo and Panel with Downen Creative
12 PM - Q & A with Annabeth Gish
12 PM - Showdown Check in ends for Street Fighter 6 Team Tournament
1 PM - FREE Photo Ops with Annabeth Gish
1:30 PM - Check in ends for Street Fighter 6 Singles
2 PM - VIP Meet and Greet (VIP Pass Holders Only)
2 PM - Cosplay 101 with Andi Serpenti
2:30 PM - Street Fighter 6 Singles Pool Play
3 PM - Annabeth Gish in Expo Hall
4 PM - Cosplay Contest Judging Begins
Click here to view contest rules
4 PM - Street Fighter 6 Singles Pool Play
6 PM - Cosplay Contest Judging Ends
6 PM - Street Fighter 6 Singles Final Bracket Play
6 PM - Expo Hall Closes
7 PM Cosplay Club
8 PM - Cosplay Contest Winners Announced
SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 24, 2023
9:30 PM - Registration Opens
10 AM - Expo Hall Open
11 AM - Gamer Free Play Opens
11 AM - Makeup 101 with Knightmage
1 PM - Q & A with Rodger Bumpass
2 PM - VIP Meet and Greet (VIP Pass Holders Only)
4 PM - Expo Hall Closes
4 PM - SpAcademy Awards
*Schedule subject to change*