2026 Entertainment & Collector Expo springs to life at Excite Lethbridge

By Lethbridge Herald on March 28, 2026.

Company of the Black Spear member Colum Terry lets a young attendee handle his sword, which is longer than she is tall, during the first hour of the 2026 Lethbridge Entertainment & Collector Expo at Excite Lethbridge on Friday. The interactive display gave visitors a hands-on look at medieval combat equipment, drawing curious crowds early in the evening.early in the evening. (HERALD PHOTO BY JOE MANIO)

By Joe Manio

Lethbridge Herald

The clang of steel on steel isn’t something you expect to hear indoors—but it’s exactly what greeted visitors Friday as fully armoured knights squared off on the floor of Excite Lethbridge (Lethbridge Trade and Convention Centre).

A few steps away, you might run into Superman posing for photos, Wolverine stalking the aisles, or Wonder Woman stopping to chat with a young fan. 

Welcome to the Lethbridge Entertainment & Collector Expo 2026.

What might look like a pop culture fever dream is, at its heart, a family-friendly community event—one where kids meet heroes, parents rediscover old fa vourites, and collectors, cosplayers and curious first-timers all share the same space. 

Doors opened at 4 p.m. Friday in south Lethbridge, but as any seasoned expo-goer knows, the real magic started earlier. That in-between window—when vendors were still setting up and cosplayers were making last-minute armor fixes—carried its own kind of energy. 

It was anticipation, with a hint of “this is either going to be amazing or I’m about to spend too much money… possibly both.” Among the first through the doors were Kim Calvert and her adult daughter Melissa. 

“We came last year and it was really fun,” said Kim. “This year— we’re just here to have fun again.” 

The pair described themselves as a bit of “all of the above”—part collectors, part browsers, part fans— after picking up autographs at last year’s event. 

Running March 27 to 29, this third annual edition also arrived with a shift. Traditionally held later in spring, the move to March felt like an early-season burst of pop culture before summer had a chance to arrive. 

At its core, the expo is a collision of fandoms. Comic collectors, toy hunters, gamers, anime fans, cosplayers, and families all shared the same aisles. 

Vendors offered everything from replica lightsabers and Funko Pop vinyl figures to vintage comics, handcrafted art and other collectibles—equal parts nostalgia and temptation. 

But what made the weekend resonate went beyond the merchandise. This wasn’t just a collector’s market—it was a community space. 

And threaded through it all was a sense of purpose. Proceeds support the Chinook Regional Hospital Foundation and its Bringing Hearts Home cam paign—a reminder that behind the cosplay is a tangible impact on local healthcare.

Friday night served as a soft launch with energy.” By evening, the atmosphere shifted from relaxed browsing to something closer to controlled chaos—with purpose.

Among the more eye-catching (and noisy) groups was the Company of the Black Spear, bringing a heavier edge to the cosplay scene with full contact medieval combat. 

“I wear this armour to keep me safe while I fight guys with steel swords,” said Brian Boisson, suited up as a 14th century knight. His custom armour took roughly nine months to complete. 

“We hope people come by, ask questions and get exposed to the sport of armoured combat.” 

Not far away, a different kind of spectacle was drawing a steady crowd—a classic hearse, its rear compartment staged with a coffin and horror-themed animatronics. 

“We use the display to attract people so they can come take photos and have a good time,” said Shawn Stickle, who brought the vehicle as part of a fundraiser for Last Chance Cat Rescue. “At the end of the day, it’s about raising money for the cats—for food, litter, all the basics they need.” The hearse itself often steals the show. 

“Even when we’re just at a gas station, people want photos with it,” he said. “Then the characters start moving— and yeah, we’ve scared a few people.” 

That mix of spectacle and accessibility extends to special guests like voice actor J.S. Gilbert, whose career spans hundreds of video games. 

“I’m part of the show,” he said. “If people want to come by and talk, I’m happy to— you don’t have to spend any money.” 

“You actually get to engage with people. That’s what makes these shows enjoyable.” 

Across the floor, cosplayers brought characters to life with months of work behind them, while vendors acted as both entrepreneurs and storytellers. 

It was a marketplace—but also a shared experience. 

What stood out most wasn’t just the collectibles or cosplay contests. It was the way the usual labels faded. For a few days, you weren’t just a collector, a fan or a parent tagging along. 

You were part of something a little bigger, a little louder… a little more joyful. A community that agreed—it’s okay to be excited about things.And in a world that often leans a little too serious, that counts for something.