This year, attendance was larger than ever, so the organizers added another pavilion to accommodate all the exhibitors who wished to display their wares here. Highlighted was a new pavilion devoted to The Lord of the Rings, as one of the five pavilions in the Convention Center that were taken over by vendors. The Golden Age Pavilion magnetized those who collect the "oldies," from the 1930’s to the 1970’s; the Sails Pavilion boasted a "Freebies" corner filled with posters, flyers, and sample copies of new comics. And there was an Autograph corner in this pavilion so fans could collect the "John Hancocks" of a number of leading artists who were featured guests at the Convention and manned the booths at varied times during the event. In another pavilion there was an Art Show the first two days during which some of these comic artists created new products-paintings, drawings and sculpture-that were later up for sale at an Art Auction during the concluding last two days. On Artists Alley other artists offered their original art for sale.

On the final day, many awards were given in various, to me esoteric categories, including "Hall of Fame" awards to artists of long-standing reputation , of which even I knew one-Sergio Aragones. You live with a comic fan, some of it rubs off on you. The whole event is one big fest for comic DVD’s, tapes, movie memorabilia, toys, and action figures, a celebration of pop culture. Next year, to break with tradition, this event will be held July 17th to July 20th-no more inevitable August.