Costumes, comics up for grabs at Bakersfield Collector Con 2024

BAKERSFIELD, Calif. (KGET) — Nostalgia comes to life every year when people gather at the Collector Con in Bakersfield, one of the biggest events of the year.

Jackie Bell with the Bakersfield Astromech Droids said, “We love to see the reaction of the kids and the families.”

Bell has been building robots like R2-D2 for 10 years. He said it took 4 years and $10,0000 to build the famous bot.

“If you want the panels to move up, you want the periscopes to come out, you want the arms to open, it’s going to get a lot more expensive,” said Bell.

R2 and Lord Vader aren’t the only celebrities bringing movie magic to Collector Con.

Chad Lindberg who played “Jessie” on Fast and Furious was in attendance.

“They ask me, where’s the Jetta, where’s the Jetta, always,” said Lindberg. “I say, it’s in a museum where it belongs.”

Walker the dog’s burned paws healing nicely from close call with Borel Fire

The actor says he’s a nerd at heart. The only thing this fan of toys loves more is meeting his fans.

“There’s nothing like that personal interaction,” said Lindberg.

Collector Con has everything for the collector in you. You can buy comics for a buck. There are collectible keychains, hot wheels, Transformers, swords, and even Super Nintendo. At Collector Con you don’t just hug celebrities and collect your favorite characters…you get to play them too.

“Welcome to Bakersfield Collector Con,” said Beetlejuice. “I’m the ghost host with the most, Beetlejuice.”

This blast from the past is also the host of the cosplay contest where there can be dozens of winners.

“We just go for people who stay in character,” said Beetlejuice. “Put good effort in, you know. Hopefully, dead.”

If you missed it, you can catch it again Sunday, Aug. 18.

Whatever you do at Collector Con, don’t say Beetlejuice, Beetlejuice, Beetlejuice.

“You gotta own it, you gotta be it, you gotta live it,” said Beetlejuice.

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