Following the event’s triumphant return following an extended hiatus brought about by the COVID-19 pandemic, Cradle Con – Long Island’s ode to popular culture, encompassing sci-fi, horror, anime, cosplay, collectibles, comic books, video games, and more – will be holding their annual event at Garden City’s Cradle of Aviation Museum this upcoming weekend, May 20 and 21.
Cradle Con was founded in 2018 by the Cradle of Aviation’s Director of Special Events Seamus Keane as one of the venue’s annual fundraising efforts; however, just as the event was gaining steam, it was forced to go on hiatus for nearly three years due to restrictions put in place to help curb the spread of the pandemic. 2021 saw Cradle Con return in a limited format in order to test the waters, and in 2022 it finally returned in all its glory, with the comeback event being an unbridled success.
“We actually had our best turnout that we've ever had, and the general response was extremely positive,” Keane said of last year’s Cradle Con. “All the vendors did well, all of the artists did well, and it was all about just getting back to the basics. But all the feedback I've been receiving so far, from vendors, guests, and attendees, was extremely positive.”
“I found that, after being isolated during the pandemic, bringing back an event like Cradle Con was not only warranted, but it was sorely needed as we transition back to normal,” Keane added.
Running from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on both Saturday and Sunday, Cradle Con features a plethora of options sure to satisfy even the most demanding of geek tastes, including an extensive dealer's room in the Cradle of Aviation’s main lobby where vendors will be selling a plethora of collectible toys, art, clothing, crafts, books, and other assorted goods. That, however, is the mere tip of the iceberg.
A major draw of Cradle Con is its special guests, which allow attendees to get up and close and personal with some of their favorite artists and personalities. Topping the list at this year’s event is James O’Barr, the artist and writer behind the cult graphic novel The Crow, which was famously adapted into the hit 1994 film starring the late Brandon Lee.
Other notable guests include Larry Hama, the long-time writer of Marvel Comics’ G.I. Joe: A Real American Hero comic book; Jim Salicrup, a well-known Marvel Comics editor who has worked on The Uncanny X-Men, The Fantastic Four, and The Avengers; local podcaster, wrestler, and actor Brimstone; and actress Rochelle Davis, who has starred in such films as The Crow, Hell House, Revenge of the Devil Bat, and Grotesque.
Other activities to look out for at Cradle Con include a cosplay contest on Saturday, where attendees can unleash their creativity and dress up as their favorite comic book, video game, and animation characters, with cash prizes on the line for the winners.
The Cradle’s retro video game arcade is back as well this year, with a large variety of classic cabinets featuring games spanning several decades of gaming history. Attendees can experience the evolution of video games first-hand, ranging from some of the earliest hits of the 70s and 80s all the way up to more modern takes on popular genres, including side scrolling action, puzzle, and one-on-one fighting games.
Admission to the retro video game arcade is included with admission to Cradle Con, and attendees are encouraged to start gaming as soon as they can, as once the event is over the arcade will be taking a hiatus, with some of the games going into storage and others being shipped temporarily to other venues throughout the country.
Rounding out the lineup at Cradle Con this year are various panels, exhibits, clubs, activities, and more, with the promise of something for anyone with a love of fact, fantasy, and overall geek culture. So come on down to the Cradle of Aviation in Garden City this weekend and experience Long Island's very own homegrown Comic Con for yourself!
To find out more about Cradle Con, please visit https://www.cradlecon.com. To find out more about the Cradle of Aviation Museum, please visit https://www.cradleofaviation.org.