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AHOSKIE – A fan convention brings together people who are passionate about movies, television, comics, anime, and much more. It’s a space to enjoy artwork, buy merchandise, meet celebrities, and dress up as your favorite character.

Ahoskie is a long way from the big fan conventions of New York City, San Diego, and the like. But the town recently hosted its first “Fan Con” event at the Ahoskie Recreation Gym on Saturday, Aug. 17.

“This is just a way for people to feel included in a community,” explained Caroline Stephenson, who created the event with help from her film production company and a team of local people. “We want to bring people to Ahoskie for something that’s positive.”

The all-day event included panels on acting and costuming tips, interspersed with trivia and costume contests. Attendees also had the chance to browse through a variety of vendor booths and chat one-on-one with the celebrity guests.

“We tried to have something for everybody,” Stephenson said.

The guests included Alisa Harris and Nick Basta, both actors based in Wilmington; Brandon Hardison, a Washington, NC native who has worked on series such as “The Walking Dead;” Arkeisha Roberts, who does script writing and assistant directing along with acting; Curtis Lyons, a long-time stunt performer who has worked on numerous action films; and Aqeel T. Ash-Shakoor, a Hertford County native who has recently held recurring roles on shows like “Law & Order: SVU.”

“Instead of having to go to the big events, you can actually look forward to something that’s happening yearly here,” said Lyons about the Ahoskie event. “I hope that Fan Con is something people start to look forward to here from now on.”

Ash-Shakoor, who lives in Michigan now, said he enjoys coming back home and being able to give back to the community. He said he hopes to show people that a “small town country boy” like him can make it in Hollywood.

“I’m ready to meet people too,” he said as the event got underway.

Harris, who volunteers with her local arts council back in Wilmington, said she enjoys events like this that encourage young people to get more involved in arts or acting and pursue their passions.

During the acting panel, the guests shared advice for people who may be interested in working in the business, either in front of the camera or behind the scenes. Many pointed out that an acting career takes a lot of hard work and persistence.

“You don’t have to be in Los Angeles to make it happen,” said Roberts, who noted that many things can be done online now and filming can take place anywhere.

“People think when you come from small towns, you can’t make it. But this is why we’re all up here, to show you that you can,” said Ash-Shakoor.

He pointed out that his experience as a Marine, as a pastor, and as a law enforcement officer has helped him in his acting career.

Lyons encouraged people to take as many classes as they can – in martial arts, dance, languages, etc. – so that they’ll have plenty of knowledge beforehand when an opportunity arises.

“Anything and everything you can do, do it now,” Lyons emphasized. “Eventually someone’s going to open that door.”

Another big part of the Fan Con event included costume (or “cosplay”) contests for children and adults. Some were local, while others traveled from out of the area to participate. Attendees dressed up as their favorite characters – ranging anywhere from popular live action movies and TV to video games, comics, and anime. Donning meticulously-styled wigs and colorful face paint and carrying a variety of props, they all stepped up on stage to strike a pose for the judges.

The judges included Fan Con organizers Justice Barnes, Marlon Kunstler, Aniya Holley, and Taylor Pettitt. Troy Fitzhugh Jr., dressed as Magneto from the X-Men series, served as the MC.

Later in the afternoon, Pettitt and Holley – in their costumes as Barbie and Princess Bubblegum – hosted a panel focused on sharing costuming tips for people interested in learning how to pick up the hobby.

Pettitt said she got started by simply making alterations to Halloween costumes, but eventually began crafting entire costumes from scratch. Holley said she was encouraged to make more costumes after attending other conventions.

Their tips included visiting thrift stores for materials, reusing and repurposing old clothes, asking for help with creative solutions to problems, and learning from other cosplayers through Youtube and TikTok videos.

“Cosplay is what you make it,” Pettitt said. “It is you expressing yourself, and showing off your love for whatever character you pick.”

Even some of the vendors got into the spirit of cosplay. Treisha Parker Combo, a local author who had a booth at the event, said she decided to put on a costume as well just to see what it was like. She was dressed as a character from a popular anime and was glad to meet a few other people in the same outfit.

“This is my first time at an event like this, but it will not be my last,” she said. “My cheeks are hurting because I’ve been smiling so much.”

After the event, Stephenson said they were happy with the turnout and how well it was received. They were able to host the event thanks to a grant from the Ahoskie Tourism Development Authority, and she also thanked Mayor Weyling White and Police Chief Michele Garrett for their support.

No exact date has been set for next year’s Fan Con, but Stephenson said it should be in early Fall, possibly in September.

“You gotta start somewhere,” she said. “So we started this, and we can’t wait to keep going.”