RadCon set Feb. 12-14 in Pasco

Several people dressed as Marvel antihero Deadpool.

Six, maybe.

And there were characters from the games Kingdom Hearts and Borderlands.

From the beloved British TV series Doctor Who.

Even the Disney smash Frozen.

And they weren’t out of place at all.

At RadCon, the annual sci-fi/fantasy convention in Pasco, costuming up and geeking out is part of the fun.

The event “gives (people) a chance to be who they want to be. They’re living out their dreams,” said Herb Leonhard of Prosser, an artist who participates each year.

This year’s RadCon is planned Feb. 12-14 at the Pasco Red Lion, 2525 N. 20th Ave. Registration opens at noon Feb. 12, and activities run through 4 p.m. Feb. 14. Cost is $45 at the door for the whole weekend.

Costumes aren’t required, but are welcome.

The convention includes panels on topics from puppetry to writing tips, to designing games, to live-action role playing. Fighting demonstrations are planned, and the masquerade costume contest is the evening of Feb. 13. It’s open to all ages.

The family-friendly fire performance troupe Ignition will perform the evening of Feb. 13.

Other evening programming is geared more toward adults, including a Rocky Horror Picture Show event Feb. 12 and a burlesque show Feb. 13.

The convention will feature several guests, from writer, editor and game designer Jennifer Brozek to artist Stephanie Law.

The special guests of honor will be prop master Dragon Dronet and author John Dalmas.

Last year’s RadCon drew about 2,700 people, and organizers expect an even bigger crowd this year.

Elizabeth Vann-Clark, the chairwoman, said she loves the diversity of the event.

Attendees come from all different backgrounds and hold many different viewpoints, “yet they all get in the same building and can happily have discussions and love the same topics,” she said. “That’s been one of the big things I’ve loved about doing this.”

Leonhard said he appreciates the sense of family and the fun the convention brings.

“It’s difficult to really describe the joy of seeing so many really talented people — you’re in a big space with a whole bunch of people with open minds and vivid imaginations. That’s the biggest thrill for me,” he said.

For more information, go to www.radcon.org.

This story was originally published February 7, 2016 at 9:48 PM with the headline "RadCon set Feb. 12-14 in Pasco."