From July 16-19, thousands of anime, gaming, and pop culture fans made their way to Hartford for the 23rd annual ConnectiCon. Held at the Connecticut Convention Center, the fan-run convention welcomed more than 20,000 attendees for four days of cosplay, celebrity guests, artists, gaming, and community.

ConnectiCon has built a reputation for its welcoming atmosphere (and after attending this year, it’s easy to see why).

Artist Colony & Dealers Room

I attended on Saturday, the doors opened 11am with lines out front. Despite many guests eagerly waiting to browse the booths, I never felt the shoulder to shoulder congestion that typically happens at peak time on Saturday’s at the conventions. While this year’s vendor floor featured more anime and gaming merchandise than traditional comic artists, there was no shortage of unique finds for everyone.

The flow being managed so well would make this an excellent convention to bring kids to, with the convention even featuring a dedicated Kids Zone!

Waluigi dominating the wrestling ring?

One of the most entertaining surprises of the weekend was Cosplay Championship Wrestling.

The wrestling ring drew large crowds throughout the day as fan-favorite characters faced off in over-the-top matches that had the audience cheering from start to finish. Watching Waluigi fly across the ring was incredible and not something I’d ever thought I’d be able to say I’ve seen.

Beyond the vendor floor, attendees could jump into arcade games, tabletop gaming sessions, and community meetups throughout the convention center.

Romp & Rescue

Voice actor Jon St. John, best known as Duke Nukem, also spent the weekend supporting Romp & Rescue, a nonprofit dedicated to finding homes for rescue dogs. Visitors could meet adoptable puppies throughout the convention, and 16 dogs found new homes over the weekend!

One of my favorite moments was seeing cosplayers carrying “Touch Grass!” signs while handing out little patches of grass to anyone who walked by.

For fans looking for a convention that balances exciting celebrities, creators, gaming, cosplay, and a welcoming community, ConnectiCon continues to prove why it’s one of Connecticut’s most beloved annual events. I hope to attend again next year!