The inaugural two-day pop culture festival celebrated music, comedy, cosplay, comic books, gaming, television, film, fantasy and more at the OC Fair and Event Center in Costa Mesa over the weekend.
The first-ever Big Adventure Festival was like walking through a magical playground straight out of all of your wildest and weirdest pop culture dreams.
The two-day event, held at the OC Fair & Event Center in Costa Mesa over the weekend, allowed patrons’ imaginations to run rampant. Guests were able to dress up as and become their favorite comic book characters; get completely immersed in a world of classic, free-play video games; take out zombies with an arsenal of Nerf weaponry; engage in Medieval combat; take in sets by bands such as Empire of the Sun, Modest Mouse, Phantogram and Cold War Kids; and pack into The Hangar for stand-up comedy with Patton Oswalt, Jim Jefferies, Kristen Schaal, Natasha Leggero and more.
There were also dozens of comic book, television, film and gaming panels and world-famous comic book illustrators on-site selling their artwork, showcasing their comic book covers, signing autographs and creating commissioned pieces of art at their tables. It was also a place where fans could pick up some pretty interesting wares, unique gifts, rare collectibles and elaborate costumes and accessories.
There were everyday outfits for the casual superhero fan courtesy of Hero Within. All of the clothes – jackets, hoodies, blazers, dresses and button-up shirts – are a more sophisticated, subtle nod to the comic book culture. Enamel pins and patches were also a big seller. Santa Ana-based Yesterdays, a company started by three friends, featured a wide array of retro, pop culture, Disney and comic-book inspired lapel pins for $10. They also had creative iron-on patches, like the E. T. Burrito.
Guests could choose from a huge selection of masks ranging from $5 plastic Dia de los Muertos-themed masks from Dr. Hogan-Berry’s Emporium of Genre Jewelry to $40-$70 higher-quality risen or latex masks modeled after characters like Pennywise from “It,” Venom, Freddy Krueger, Jason Voorhees, The Joker, Batman and more. Dr. Hogan-Berry’s Emporium also had custom antlers, horns and glowing hair wreaths for $20-$40.
Riverside-based Crude Inc. sold vinyl records spray painted to include horror and music icons ($20 each or three for $50). Each piece of art is made from recycled vinyl that Ian Castellanos and his partner collect from a DJ friend. Also from Riverside, artist Dave Warner showcased his unique 3-D art laser cut wares, including detailed little wooden boxes ($40) with popular TV, film and comic book characters.
Guests also gathered to play actual board games. There was an area strictly set up for board and card game play and patrons could challenge each other in classic games or try out a brand new game, like the “Rick and Morty” Pickle Rick game, which was on-site courtesy of Cryptozoic Entertainment out of Lake Forest. The company had a slew of original and licensed board games to offer ($10-$40), including ones based on popular Cartoon Network shows, “The Walking Dead,” “Ghostbusters” and several DC and Marvel Comics characters and films.
When: Saturday, Nov. 3 and Sunday, Nov. 4
Where: OC Fair & Event Center, Costa Mesa
