HAMACON 8 anime convention returns to VBC

Bob Gathany

The Huntsville And Madison Anime Convention, or Hamacon, returns to the VBC South Hall in Huntsville, Alabama for its annual three day convention. HAMACON 8 starts at noon Friday June 23rd and runs through Sunday June 25th. (Bob Gathany/bgathany@al.com)

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Bob Gathany

Huntsville's largest fan convention? HAMACON, to our knowledge. HAMACON has grown steadily from its first year crowd of 300, to an expected crowd of 4,000 this year. HAMACON now takes place in over 68,000 square feet of the VBC South Hall. (Bob Gathany/bgathany@AL.com)

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Eric Schultz

Cosplay is a large part of any anime convention. Jared Cox and Jacob Richey, of Huntsville, during HAMACON 6.(Eric Schultz / eschultz@al.com)

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Bob Gathany

Cosplay is short for costume play. It is very popular in the anime fandom. (Bob Gathany/bgathany@AL.com)

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Bob Gathany

HAMACON attendees are always encouraged to dress up as their favorite anime (or other genre) characters, and socialize and see and be seen during all three days of the convention. (Bob Gathany/bgathany@al.com)

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Eric Schultz

HAMACON's cosplay contest takes place Saturday at 5:00PM. Dylan Johnson, of Scottsboro, during HAMACON 6. (Eric Schultz / eschultz@al.com)

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Bob Gathany

There are categories ranging from Epic Doll (small kids) & Youth to Novice, Journeyman and Master levels to be judged. Here is a link to the cosplay rules. (Bob Gathany/bgathany@al.com)

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Eric Schultz

Contestants enter to be judged on their skill and the accuracy of their costume. Costumes must be at least 70% hand made to be eligible to enter except for the Doll category. Emma Hovanes, of Huntsville, during HAMACON 6. (Eric Schultz / eschultz@al.com)

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Eric Schultz

At HAMACON about 50% or more of the crowd is in cosplay at anytime It is one of the most popular events at the convention each year. Lauren Payton, of Birmingham, during HAMACON 6. (Eric Schultz / eschultz@al.com)

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Bob Gathany

Expected attendance this year? 3,500 to 4,000 over the three days.(Bob Gathany/bgathany@al.com)

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Bob Gathany

Past years attendees for the event came from over 20 different states. Farthest away? Attendees registered from Portland, Oregon. (Bob Gathany/bgathany@AL.com)

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Bob Gathany

HAMACON will be open for a total of 34 hours over this coming weekend, noon - midnight Friday, 10am - 1 am Saturday, and 10am - 5pm Sunday. (Bob Gathany/bgathany@al.com)

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Bob Gathany

During those 34 Hours, there will be tons to do at Hamacon this year, with discussion panels, workshops, demonstrations, model building, video game tournaments, fan meet ups. (Bob Gathany/bgathany@AL.com)

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Bob Gathany

Do you like video games? Of course you do! How could you not what with the bloops and beeps and the pixels and the polygons? Well don't you fret, because HAMACON has them! Check out the Video Game Area in the Gaming Room, full of digital goodness. (Bob Gathany/bgathany@AL.com)

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Bob Gathany

There are also board games for those who want to take a digital break. (Bob Gathany/bgathany@al.com)

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Bob Gathany

HAMACON 8 has doubled the size of the gaming areas to showcase their largest gaming area ever, featuring more arcade games, console games and tabletop games than HAMACON has ever presented. (Bob Gathany/bgathany@AL.com)

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Bob Gathany

Art and merchandise available from over 50 vendors and artists. (Bob Gathany/bgathany@AL.com)

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Bob Gathany

There is also an Artist's Alley with all sorts of original artwork for con-goers. (Bob Gathany/bgathany@AL.com)

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Bob Gathany

There is also a Parent's Lounge where parents can hang out if you like while your kids attend the convention. (Bob Gathany/bgathany@al.com)

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Bob Gathany

HAMACON is proud to be once again partnering with the American Red Cross for their annual Blood Drive. Each year HAMACON's awesome attendees demonstrate how big their hearts are and give generously to this worthy cause. This year’s drive will be held and Friday and Saturday. (Bob Gathany/bgathany@AL.com)

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Bob Gathany

HAMACON also host a one day Minicon each November. (Bob Gathany/bgathany@al.com)

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Eric Schultz

Online pre-registration is closed, but one day, two day, and three day tickets available at the event. Tickets are available at the event for: Entire Three Days - $50. Friday or Sunday Only - $20, Saturday Only - $25. Any Two Day Combo - $40. Parent/Chaperone Passes are available at Registration desk only and are $5 each. Limit one Parent/chaperone pass per paid child admission. Corey Roberts, of Harvest, during HAMACON 6. (Eric Schultz / eschultz@al.com)

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