POLK COUNTY, Fla. (WFLA) — The cosplay was on full display as fans gathered to meet with stars from the Power Rangers, The Walking Dead, The WWE and even Rufio from “Hook.”

Attendees said they’re excited to see an event like this continuing to grow in Lakeland.

“For me, this is kind of a big moment, because this is like wow, I’m finally doing it,” visitor Andrew Wesselles said. “I’m a teacher as well so I told all my students, I kind of flashed up to them and told them guys look who’s here, look at all the great voice actors, so they were kind of nerding out with me. I teach 5th grade.”

That type of enthusiasm is what founder Ben Penrod says drove him to start this Comic Con here at the RP Funding Center in 2019.

The three-day convention is the largest in its history, drawing in nearly 7000 fans overall, according to Penrod.

“You know Lakeland and Polk County are growing and thriving areas, but we’re not too far from Tampa. We’re not too far from Orlando and it’s not too hard for me to convince people to come down here if we’re giving them something really fun to do,” Penrod said.

It’s not just a place to let your inner geek play, bit it is a real treasure trove of talent, too. For artist Tim Voncloedt there’s a deeper meaning to this convention.

“I’m producing whimsy in a way, and so I want people to be able to look at that and go oh, that’s my childhood,” Voncloedt said.

A childhood with the common ground of a love for all things comics, cosplay and cartoons.

Snowballing off the success already, plans for Central Florida Comic Con 2026 are already in the works.