The Coast With The Most!

Biloxi, MS

After missing the last two years, I managed to finally return to one of my favorite conventions, CoastCon, in one of the most beautiful towns on the gulf coast, Biloxi, MS.  I hitched a ride with the gang from CyPhaCon on Friday, March 20.  We arrived in the early afternoon and quickly set up the CyPhaCon table.  While I’m not an official member of that particular convention, I do offer my services in return for a ride to and from the event (and a floor to sleep on).

The crowd was light on Friday (as it almost always is at fan-run conventions) but there was no shortage of fellow fans to hang out with until well into the evening.  I had a great time talking with a lot of friends that I haven’t seen in a long time.  That’s my favorite part about conventions like CoastCon.  Sure, there are media guests, panels, gaming, authors, and vendors, but it’s getting the chance to see old friends and make new ones that share our passions that makes these conventions so great.

CoastCon opened its second day as the oldest fan-run convention in the Gulf South at 10 AM on Saturday morning.  Panels included a Q&A with anime voice artist Tiffany Grant and actor Tony Amendola.  Other panels touched on everything from feminism to makeup and reading and writing in Elvish.  The ladies of Hip-ocrisy entertained con-goers with their bellydancing talents and gaming took place throughout the day.

One extremely nice surprise about Saturday was the large number of awesome cosplayers in attendance.  Guest cosplayers Destine Magique and Awkward Cosplay Girl showed off their talents, but there were plenty of regular attendees showing off their own awesome cosplay creations!  Of course, the Discount Dark Knight took time out of his exceptionally busy schedule to snap photos with a lot of the cosplayers, and here is just a sampling of the excellent costumes at the convention!

At 11AM on Saturday, Southern Geek, a Gulf South-based fan group that covers all areas of fandom, hosted a panel about The Walking Dead.  Rafe White, SG’s fearless leader and founder, headed up an all-star panel that included Kristyn Tower, Claire Scates, Tim Nicholas, and yours truly as we discussed the show and the comic.  We covered where they both currently stand and where we believe that they might be headed.  Those in attendants were encouraged to join in on the discussion and Southern Geek was not disappointed!

Saturday evening was CoastCon’s legendary Bachelor/Bachelorette Auction and although I was personally unable to attend, I heard that it was just as crazy this year as it has been in the past.

Sunday continued the fun with more excellent panels and a ton of gaming.  I picked up a book from The Rob Cerio (https://www.facebook.com/TheRobCerio) and he asked DDK for a selfie.  Never one to deny his fans, DDK happily took a selfie with Mr. Cerio.  I also picked up a sweet CoastCon tee shirt and entirely too many buttons.  My poor backpack is running out of room for all of them!

CoastCon is definitely one of the best conventions in the Gulf South.  It offers fun for all ages and covers just about any fandom that people celebrate and love.  If you’re ever in Mississippi in the very early spring, be sure to check out the oldest fan-run convention in the south!!!!!

On a side note, I also have to mention a couple of places that I dined at while visiting CoastCon and Biloxi.  On Friday night myself and some friends ate at El Rancho.  It’s some of the best Mexican food in Mississippi and the restaurant itself offers up some great atmosphere.  I also tried out a sandwich at Zeppelin’s Pizzeria.  Again, the atmosphere was awesome and the food was excellent!

Finally, I want to mention just how wonderful the Mississippi Coast Convention Center and Coliseum is as both the host for CoastCon and as an excellent place in general.  I love the design of the center, especially the way that it incorporates the waves of the Gulf of Mexico into the design and layout of the building.  It’s one of my favorite convention centers to visit.

Oh, and did I mention just how freaking beautiful the Gulf Of Mexico is in Biloxi???

As always, thanks for reading.  Next month I will be attending CyPhaCon in Lake Charles, LA.  It’s one of the fastest growing fan-run conventions in the southern states and I look forward to it each year.  See ya next time!