TAMPA, Fla. -- A cop, a wizard and Batman walk into a convention center.
No, it’s not the start to a weird joke. They’re just some of the characters coming to Tampa Bay Comic Con this weekend.
Tens of thousands of local nerds are expected to fill the Tampa Convention Center with cosplay, gaming and shopping. The celebrity guest list includes dozens from movies, TV, animated creations, comics and more.
Some of the biggest stars in town include David Harbour and Noah Schnapp from Stranger Things, Batman Forever’s Val Kilmer, Brent Spiner from Star Trek: The Next Generation, Matthew Lewis from the Harry Potter series and Brianna Hildebrand from Deadpool.
The guest list also includes Disney princess voices Linda Larkin (Jasmine) and Paige O’Hara (Belle) along with other animated voice actors.
Previous: Scenes from Tampa Bay Comic Con 2016
But before donning your cape and pocketing your light saber, here are some things to know for Tampa Bay Comic Con:
-- No real weapons allowed: Convention staff and security inspect props to make sure no authentic weapons are brought to the convention. Prohibited items include real firearms, metal weapons with exposed points or sharpened edges, metal or wooden baseball bats or clubs, weapons or props that produce a flame, airsoft, pellet and bb/pellet weapons.
-- Cosplay is not consent: Tampa Bay Comic Con said it does not tolerate harassment of any kind. Harassment includes verbal comments that relate to gender, gender identity and expression, sexual orientation, disability, physical appearance, race, age and religion; inappropriate images in public spaces; intimidation and stalking; harassing photography or recording; disruption of panels or other events; unwanted physical contact and unwelcome sexual attention.
Just because someone is dressed in cosplay or as a certain character does not mean that a person is consenting to anything.
-- Organize with the app: The best way to keep track of panels, autograph schedules, trivia sessions and film screenings is with the Tampa Bay Comic Con app.
The app has event schedules for all three days, celebrity schedules, maps of the exhibitor hall and artist alley, gaming schedules and more.
-- Gear up and get ready for crowds: Wear comfortable shoes and bring cash. Saturday is the busiest day, but be prepared for a lot of walking and waiting in lines for all three days. Celebrity autograph and photo opportunities are cash only and vary per celebrity.
-- Check out these must-see attractions:
Paranormal reality panel, 12:30 p.m. Friday: Paranormal investigators discuss what it’s like in the field and compare what they do to what you see on TV.
Nerdy Yoga Flow, 2:30 p.m. Friday: Intelligently-sequenced power yoga class inspired by superheroes. Also at 9 a.m. and 10:30 a.m. Saturday
Avengers: Infinity War screening, 3 p.m. Friday: Disney and MOR present a screening of the most devastating Marvel film yet.
Disney Princess Q&A, 4:30 p.m. Friday: The voice actors behind Princess Jasmine and Princess Belle talk about their experiences as the beloved characters.
Stranger Things Q&A, 1 p.m. Saturday: David Harbour (Sheriff Hopper) and Noah Schnapp (Will Byers) talk about their experiences on the Netflix sensation Stranger Things.
Cosplay contest, 3 p.m. Saturday: The biggest competition of the weekend sees cosplayers dressed up as favorite characters for a chance to win up to $500.
Eerie Florida: Dark Tales from the Sunshine State, 9 p.m. Saturday: Author Mark Muncy and illustrator Kari Schultz talk about the dark side of Florida and discuss its many myths, monsters and legends.
Rocky Horror Picture Show, 9:30 p.m. Saturday: A full audience participation screening with live performances by the Cheap Little Punks. Get ready to yell and throw things.
More information and tickets at Tampa Bay Comic Con's website.
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