Calgary Comic and Entertainment Expo kicks off with Parade of Wonders

There was a lot of fanfare in the downtown core Friday morning as the 3rd annual “Parade of Wonders” officially kicked off the 10th annual Calgary and Comic Entertainment Expo.

Superheroes, villains, vikings, characters even stars of the small and big screen, came out to usher the festival in Calgary.

Calgary Comic and Entertainment Expo has become the second largest tourist draw for the city and Canada’s 2nd largest celebration of all things pop culture.

Some of the stars to take in the fun were Ian Ziering of Beverly Hills 90210 and Sharknado fame, Mark Pellegrino of Supernatural and the original “Buffy the Vampire Slayer” herself, Kristy Swanson.

“I think it’s beautiful, it’s gorgeous,” Swanson said of Calgary. “I’m just glad to be here, it’s very exciting.”

Swanson says she never tires of seeing the excitement of an expo and seeing the looks on the fans make it all worthwhile.

“It’s kind of random because I’ve done so many genres of films, whatever people want an autograph from, I’m here to sign,” she said.

“I just really enjoy meeting all the fans, it touches me and makes me feel good if someone felt good about something I did, or it touched them in some way. If it made them laugh, or cry and they just want to meet me, it’s really nice,” she said. “It’s sort of the reward for what you do.”

She’s not new to the city of Calgary landscape, her husband Lloyd Eisler was in the 1988 Olympics in Alberta.

Her sentiments were echoed by her Expo colleague Brett Dalton, otherwise know as Agent Grant Ward, of Marvel’s Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.

“This one is special though, it’s an extra day and I’m part of a parade. So both of those things make this exceptional and this is my second time in Canada, I always have a blast here.”

“It’s been great, I really can’t complain with the stuff that they’re giving me this season. I guess baking cookies for the writers really paid off! They give me such wonderful stuff, it’s incredible. I’m not on every episode but when I am, stuff really happens.”

When it comes to hints of what we can expect in his show, Dalton says he looks forward to an unlikely pairing.

“Thank you for standing with Ward and to all my Ward warriors who are here,” Dalton adds. “I just love my people and I want them to come and see me.”

He’s giving away free pins to anyone who gets an autograph.

The Parade of Wonders also got some “A-List” talent lended to it from the wrestling ring and Mick Foley.

“Once you start seeing friends, it’s invigorating to see people from all walks of life,” he said. “I think it is a way for those from all walks of life, who didn’t quite feel like they fit in, to find a way where they’re not going to be judged.”

“I like the fact, as a wrestler, I’m the normal guy walking around and I look forward to it.”

Calgary Mayor Naheed Nenshi took things a little more “low-key” than in years past, just riding in a convertible with no costume.

“Last year I was wearing what I thought was an outfit that just showed I was a fan of Dr. Who, and I got critiqued and written up on all these “cosplay” blogs and I gotta tell you, I thought that meant something completely different,” he laughs. “So, I thought I’d just avoid that this year.”

“My inner geek is not particularly well hidden, but I think it’s awesome that in just 10 years we’ve grown from 3 people in somebody’s basement to probably the second largest tourist attraction in Calgary every year and that thousands of people are letting their geek flag fly,” he adds. “To me, that’s just awesome!”

Nenshi admits he made a last minute change to his schedule so that he can see Neil Patrick Harris Friday evening.

Fans in the crowd say it’s about coming together and celebrating that what makes them “special.”

Some took several months to make their costumes.

“A lot of villains come out to these, so you have to keep a good, steady supply of super heroes to keep them in check,” said “Batman.”

To see the full schedule of events or find out more about Calgary Comic and Entertainment Expo click here.

To hear Ian’s full interview with Kristy Swanson click here.

To hear Ian’s full interview with Brett Dalton click here.

To hear Peter’s full interview with Mick Foley click here.

 

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