Cedar Rapids Comic Con planned

CEDAR RAPIDS — Preston Moore is a self-identified lifelong nerd who has collected comic books and merchandise for as long as he can remember.

'When I was little, before I could probably even talk and explain who I was, I was collecting stuff from the movie E.T., toys, figures, and I think that kind of started it off,' he said.

Last year, Moore organized NewBo Con, a gaming convention at NewBo City Market that attracted more than 3,000 people.

This year, Moore is once again bringing his passion for gaming to the Cedar Rapids Comic Con, which is scheduled to run from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday at the DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel in downtown Cedar Rapids.

Moore said this year's event will be larger. There will be 70 vendors, more than 20 gaming tables and a room for speakers including Rick Chambers, an author, screenwriter and communications professional; Brian Gross, a veteran television actor; and a group of performers depicting superheroes and villains.

Moore said he was determined to keep the Cedar Rapids Comic Con affordable.

'I wanted there to be a convention like this that anyone could go to,' he said. 'People of any age, families, no matter what their situation is.'

General admission tickets, which have sold out, were $5. VIP tickets are $10. Children under 12 are free if accompanied by someone with a paid admission.

Moore, director of development and community outreach at the Cedar Valley Humane Society, expects at least 5,000 people to attend the event.

One of them will be Kevin Coppess of Cedar Rapids, who attended NewBo Con in 2015.

'I never thought that we'd have a comic convention here in Cedar Rapids,' Coppess said. 'After last year was such a success, and then he decided to move it to the DoubleTree downtown ... there's just going to be a whole lot of vendors that I normally see out of different areas.'

Moore said he is looking forward to seeing the event continue.

'I think there is the potential for it to grow into something really big that attracts people from around the Midwest,' he said.

If you go

— What: Cedar Rapids Comic Con

— Where: DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel in Cedar Rapids

— When: 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., Feb. 6

— Admission: General admission sold out; $10 VIP admission, children 12 and under free with a paid admission.

-- For more information or to buy tickets, go to cedarrapidscomiccon.com