Bury’s first Comic Con event has been hailed a success after thousands of people flocked to the town.
Creative costumes and characters filled the town centre on Sunday in a colourful celebration.
Organised by Bury Business Improvement District, shopping centres The Rock and Mill Gate as well as Bury Art Museum and Hops bar all came together to host the event.
The Fusiliers Museum was set to be involved too, but due to a flood exhibits were moved into the art gallery and the Mill Gate.
While queuing to meet Doctor Who star Colin Baker, fan Kieran Gallagher said: “I had the chance to meet him years ago and I always regretted not doing it so even if I don’t get a photo with him or signature, I will be happy.”
Kieran, who was dressed as the ninth doctor, brought two sonic screwdrivers with him for photo opportunities and praised organisers for putting on the event.
He added: “I know it was meant to be in the Fusiliers, but I am quite glad we have been moved into the art gallery instead, it is a stellar location – no pun intended – just a wonderful place."
Huge queues to meet Colin Baker stretched through exhibits inside the building.
The queue inside Bury Art Gallery to meet Colin Baker - The Sixth Doctor.@BuryTimes pic.twitter.com/cHLYnNOcq4
— Harriet Heywood (@Heywoodharriet_) October 29, 2023
Also inside the gallery was CBBC’s Hacker the Dog aka Phil Fletcher and comic writers and artists including Lew Stringer.
Other special guests included Mickey Lewis, Colin Mathieson, Willie Copen and George Copen.
There was also a series of videos from Brian Clarke and John Jackson including episodes of The Mancunian and their new sci-fi puppet show.
Joel Matthews, five, said he had a successful day and was please with all his new buys.
His dad said: “There hasn’t been as much as I thought there would be but we have spent a lot of money anyway.
“These two have had a great time, we really enjoyed it”.
The fun-filled day also included a special Jurassic World exhibit situated at The Rock Shopping Centre.
John Webster, of Wow Events, which organised the Comic Con on behalf of Bury BID, said: "This has been a fantastic event.
"We had a lot of participation from local businesses and it was great to see so many people come into Bury on a Sunday.
"The feedback we have had from all our guests and members of the public attending has been very positive. Everyone seemed to enjoy themselves.
"The dinosaur set and the Transformers were very popular as was the Dr Who Zone.
"It was unfortunate that we had to make some last minute changes to the locations following an overnight flood at The Fusiliers Museum but with the help of the staff at Bury Art Gallery and the Mill Gate Shopping Centre we were able to relocate The Dr Who set and our guests who had been scheduled to appear at the Fusiliers.
"The Traders Zone in the Mill Gate was very busy all day and there was a fantastic response to our guests at the art gallery, in particular Colin Baker for whom there was a massive crowd.
"Colin was a true star. He was kind, funny and must have gone home with writer's cramp after signing hundreds of autographs.
@theburytimes ♬ original sound - The Bury Times
"We had a great response to our cosplay competitions and Phil Fletcher with Hacker The Dog made a great compere.
"All things considered I think we can count this as a success"
Following the flood inside the Fusiliers, Tony Marsh, the managing director of Olive's Kitchen, said that hopefully they will be back up and running for next year's event.
He said: “Unfortunately, during the night we have had a flood, quite a significant one and that means we have had to close the museum.
“Everything has been re-located though which is good news and hopefully we will be back next time. “
Arnold Wilcox-Wood, centre director at The Rock, added: “It’s wonderful that Bury town centre continues to give visitors more and more reasons to come and visit.
“The Rock is looking forward to welcoming families to this free event which we hope will be the first of many Bury Comic Cons.”
To watch videos and for more photos from the day see here.
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