Walking the streets of Detroit this weekend may be interesting. You may find yourself questioning the date and whether Halloween passed when you see a rogue Pikachu, hair in all colors and people in costumes roaming the streets.
PHOTOS: See the crazy costumes at Youmacon in Detroit
That’s because it’s the 13th annual Youmacon, which is a subculture that celebrates mainly Japanese culture and its influence on the United States over the years.
Enthusiasts of anime and gaming will engage in imaginative cosplay (costume play) and will stay in character most of the time.
Did we mention the convention runs non-stop 24-hours a day from 8PM Thursday through 6PM Sunday? That gives participants lots of time for gaming, dancing and socializing with like-minded people.
The convention is all in good fun and sometimes pushes the boundaries – so much that organizers have to remind participants that their costumes cannot include props with loaded and high velocity projectiles… Huh? And this one: "Do everyone a favor and shower every day."
The weekend long convention takes place at the Detroit Marriott and Cobo Hall. The Detroit convention has grown over the years from a 1,000 attendees at the Troy Hilton in 2005 to more than 16,000 people last year – and more than double that are expected this year.
For more information, including panel schedules and ticket prices, visit www.youmacon.com.
