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Repeat business: Setsucon attendees keep coming back for more

By Matt Churella 4 min read

Anime and gaming festivities are underway this weekend at the Blair County Convention Center, with people traveling in from Maryland, Virginia, New York, New Jersey and Delaware to have fun and shop the vendor booths at Setsucon.

The convention was started in 2007 in State College by the Penn State Anime Organization, a group of students and alumni who work together with the goal of sharing their love of Japanese culture.

Kevin Lawler of the Baltimore area said he was in the anime club when the convention was first organized. Besides the enjoyable activities, like seeing cosplayers and exploring the video game room, he said traveling to Blair County for Setsucon every year is something he looks forward to as he meets up with his friends from college who were all there from the beginning.

"We see each other once a year here. Some of us may run into each other at other places throughout the year, but this is the most common one," Lawler said.

Many who attended the opening night Friday -- like Rachel Breitenbach of Williamsburg -- said they were eager for the exhibitors' hall to open this weekend and were ready for the cosplaying and gaming events to take place.

Breitenbach said she loves seeing new vendors at the convention, but she enjoys seeing the new items brought in by vendors whom she has seen there before.

Every year the money made from the convention goes toward attracting new guests and vendors, according to press director Zach Foltz.

This year's featured guests include voice actors Chris Hackney and Anne Yatco, who will be at the convention Saturday and Sunday to meet fans.

Siblings Rebecca and Nathan Norris of Cresson said it's fun to see others dressed up, but they enjoy spending time together in the artist alley and video game room where they play old multiplayer games together.

Altoona sisters Natalie and Kylie Losasso attended Setsucon for the second time this year. Both were looking forward to the drag queen show. But Natalie said she's nervous since she's participating in one of the cosplay events this year.

"I'm more of a novice when it comes to sewing and stuff, so it probably takes me longer than it would for other people," she said, adding it took over six hours to build from scratch a costume from the game "Project Sekai."

Kylie said she enjoys Setsucon because of the community vibe that other conventions don't have. "Everyone here is friendly and kind," she said.

Rey Smith of Altoona said she's attended Setsucon for about five years.

"I like being around people who get me," she said of why she returns every year. "Everyone's into this anime culture, and I absolutely love being in the community."

Philipsburg residents Hector Ortiz and his daughter, Trinity, said they've never been to an anime convention before attending Setsucon on Friday. But since the convention is local and they saw it advertised, they decided to experience the excitement of the convention for Trinity's birthday month.

"It's really cool to be around people who are into the same stuff as me," Trinity said, adding she has enjoyed everything the convention had to offer so far.

Jack Lykens of Altoona said he enjoys not having to travel far to have fun and added Setsucon has "everything you're looking for" in a convention.

Setsucon opens its doors at 9 a.m. Saturday and Sunday. Ticket information and a complete schedule of events can be found on the convention's website, www.setsucon.com.

Mirror Staff Writer Matt Churella is at 814-946-7520.

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