Event Recap: GalaxyCon Columbus & Fandom, Storytelling, and the Joy of Being a Little Obsessed

GalaxyCon Columbus proved why it’s one of the most beloved fan conventions in the Midwest. Equal parts celebrity access, creator celebration, and community gathering, the weekend brought together film, television, books, comics, cosplay, and pop culture nostalgia under one very enthusiastic roof. Beyond the headline panels, GalaxyCon shines in its author alley, artist tables, and the sheer creativity of its attendees, making it a space where readers, viewers, and creators all feel equally at home.

GalaxyCon Columbus works because it treats fandom as something meaningful rather than fleeting. Panels feel conversational, fans are respected, and stories, whether told on screen, on the page, or across decades of shared memory, are always at the center. For readers who love pop culture as much as books, GalaxyCon remains a place where storytelling in all its forms is celebrated, deeply felt, and joyfully shared.

Below are highlights from several standout panels, each offering a different window into the stories that continue to shape fandom.

Devon Sawa: From Childhood Wonder to Cult-Classic Legacy

Devon Sawa reflected on his career with humor, nostalgia, and a clear appreciation for the fans who’ve followed him from childhood roles to darker genre work. He shared that his favorite Chucky death is the elevator scene and laughed about his very first acting job, a Nerf commercial that left him coming home completely “nerfed up.” Looking back on Casper, Devon described stepping onto a massive house set that included a rollercoaster inside, filming there for a week, and feeling like the entire experience was pure magic. He also revealed he once tested for Anakin Skywalker, noting he’s always been a huge Star Wars fan. One of the most memorable moments came when a fan asked him to sign a brick, a reference to his infamous off-screen death by brick in Final Destination 2, a perfect example of the kind of deep-cut fandom humor GalaxyCon thrives on. I immediately went home and watched Heart Eyes.

Twilight: Favorite Scenes, Fandom Jokes, and Enduring Love

The Twilight panel leaned fully into nostalgia and fandom self-awareness, celebrating a series that continues to inspire devotion, debate, and memes. When asked about favorite fandom jokes, the clear winner was “Eggward,” drawing laughter across the room. Cast members also shared their favorite scenes from the films, with Kellan naming the arm-wrestling scene, Ashley highlighting the wedding dance, and Peter choosing the unforgettable stitching moment. The conversation struck a balance between playful humor and genuine appreciation for a franchise that still holds a powerful place in pop culture more than a decade later.

I also got to see a screening of Twilight with the actors in the audience!

The Little Mermaid: The Original Voices and a New Disney Era

The panel for The Little Mermaid offered a behind-the-scenes look at what it meant to be part of a defining moment in Disney history from the perspective of the film’s original voice actors. Christopher shared that he was only 15 years old when he was invited to audition, while Jodi recalled coming into the project just as her Broadway show had closed. At the time, the cast believed the film would be relatively anonymous, but that quickly changed with an unexpected 22-city press tour where Disney publicly revealed the voices for the first time. The moment it truly hit home, they said, was walking into stores and seeing entire aisles filled with Little Mermaid merchandise, clear proof they were part of something that would launch a new era for Disney animation.

Ahsoka: Destiny, Fancasts, and Finding the Force

Rosario Dawson shared that she discovered an Ahsoka fancast while doomscrolling online, reposted it, and soon noticed that Star Wars had started following her, followed shortly by a call from Dave Filoni. Dave later shared that seeing photos of Rosario alongside Hayden Christensen convinced him the casting was meant to be. Eman Esfandi recalled seeing online chatter describing Ezra Bridger as “Space Aladdin” (a phrase Filoni famously dislikes), but feeling a deep spiritual connection to the character nonetheless. His favorite moment was building Ezra’s lightsaber, while Rosario described Ahsoka as existing within the World Between Worlds. When asked to associate songs with their characters, Eman chose “A Boy Named Sue” by Johnny Cash for Ezra, while Rosario offered the unexpected but fitting pick “Davia Spade” for Ahsoka.

Hocus Pocus: Halloween as a Way of Life

The panel celebrating Hocus Pocus reinforced why the movie remains a Halloween staple decades later. For the cast, the holiday is more than nostalgia; it’s tradition. Omri shared his love of pumpkin carving, Thora spoke about dressing up each year, and Vinessa described gathering with neighbors for trick-or-treating. The simplicity of these rituals echoed the enduring charm of Hocus Pocus itself: spooky, communal, and rooted in togetherness.

Star Wars: The Clone Wars and Stories Still Waiting to Be Told

The Star Wars: The Clone Wars panel leaned into lore, personal favorites, and unfinished reading lists. James shared that he would love to see Kenobi adapted further, while Matt admitted he started reading Darth Plagueis but hasn’t finished it yet. When asked about favorite characters from the series, James named Count Dooku, while Matt chose Cad Bane, proof that even within a galaxy filled with heroes, the villains often leave the strongest impression.

A Moment for my Stranger Things Cosplays

A week out from Vol 1, I had to throw together some Stranger Things closet cosplays. These aren’t my best but the con was weeks out from the holidays and during a big grant writing cycle so I did my best.

Finding a GalaxyCon Near You

One of the best things about GalaxyCon is that it isn’t a one-city experience. The convention travels to multiple locations throughout the year, making it easier for fans to find an event within driving distance. Each GalaxyCon features a mix of celebrity panels, authors, comic creators, artists, cosplay, and fandom programming, with local flavor shaping every stop. If you’ve never attended before, checking the official GalaxyCon schedule is the best way to see which cities are hosting upcoming events and which fandoms will be represented, whether you’re coming for books, film, television, or the joy of being surrounded by people who love the same fandoms you do.