Fandom and imagination will be celebrated at Calgary Expo’s Parade of Wonders

As the Calgary Comics and Entertainment Expo nears, organizers have unveiled the new, expanded route for the event’s much-loved Parade of Wonders.

Is it even a Calgary Comics and Entertainment Expo without a Parade of Wonders?

As the annual celebration of popular culture nears, organizers have unveiled the new, expanded route for the event’s much-loved walkabout.

On April 24, cosplayers and show guests will gather at Central Memorial Park for a 10:30 a.m. POW! start.

They’ll end up at the BMO Centre’s grand staircase to kick off the event’s opening ceremony at 11:15 a.m.

“Each year, we celebrate the fun and inspiring creativity of our fans and community at Canada’s biggest cosplay parade,” Calgary Expo said Monday in a news release.

“Celebrate your fandom and imagination with us.

“Anyone in full cosplay or costume is welcome to register and walk in the parade (for free!).”

Further information about the Parade of Wonders is available now on the Calgary Expo website.

For those looking to take part, a registration form is also available.

POW! is popular among Calgarians and visitors, drawing crowds along the route each year.

“For spectators, it’s the perfect opportunity to connect with neighbours and friends (and pups!) with coffee and lightsaber in hand and be inspired by Calgary’s cosplay community’s creativity,” Calgary Expo said.

“Fan Zones along the way will give lots of chances for paraders and spectators to share their excitement together.”

This year’s Calgary Comics and Entertainment Expo runs April 23-26 at Stampede Park.

Celebrity guests announced thus far include:

• The Lord of the Rings’ Elijah Wood, Sean Astin, Billy Boyd and Dominic Monaghan;
• The Goonies’ Sean Astin (again), Corey Feldman, Robert Davi, Joe Pantoliano, Martha Plimpton and Kerri Green;
• Smallville’s Tom Welling, Michael Rosenbaum and Erica Durance;
• Star Wars’ Anthony Daniels and Manny Jacinto;
• Star Trek’s William Shatner, Gates McFadden and Brent Spiner;
• Harry Potter’s Oliver Phelps, James Phelps and Bonnie Wright;
• Stranger Things’ Sean Astin (yes, again), Cary Elwes and Cara Buono;
• Hocus Pocus’s Jason Marsden, Vinessa Shaw and Omri Katz;
• Lost’s Josh Holloway and Henry Ian Cusick;
• Once Upon a Time’s Colin O’Donoghue;
• Luke Cage’s Mike Colter;
• Breaking Bad’s Dean Norris;
• The Walking Dead’s Steven Ogg; and
• Battlestar Galactica’s Alessandro Juliani.

Calgary Expo is also hosting a number of stars from the comic book, animation, anime and gaming industries.

Andrew Moyes, FanExpoHQ vice-president, told CTV News in a previous interview, “Everyone who’s coming, regardless of their fandom, can have one of their heroes to meet.”

“It’s really about that fan experience, (and) giving everyone their moment.” Moyes said.

Further information about the show—and tickets—can be found on the Calgary Expo website.