No, it is not the start of a joke. They will be among thousands of guests at this weekend’s Edge of the World Expo at the Edgar Centre in Dunedin.
Running for its third year, the two-day convention will bring together comic book artists, fans decked out in their favourite costumes and all things pop culture.
Attendees will be able to snap up toys and collectables, battle it out in a range of games and meet special guests such as Hellboy comic book artist Ben Stenbeck.
The man behind the expo, Impressive Events director Rory Foley, said Covid-19 had brought both challenges and opportunities.
With much of the world still locked down, New Zealanders were looking to their own backyard for these types of events, he said.
"We’ve noticed a lot more stallholders have come on board with us."
But planning the event under the threat of Covid-19 lockdowns was like playing Russian roulette.
"It’s been a real struggle for us to get an event going."
Despite difficulties, he hoped 3000 to 5000 people would attend the expo this weekend.
As well as providing a weekend of fun for fans, the expo would also serve as a fundraiser.
Mr Foley said a portion of each ticket sale would go towards Camp Quality South, a charity focused on giving children with cancer a fun, week-long holiday.
"We just think it’s so cool that, yes, the kid with cancer goes on holiday, but they can bring their brothers and sisters along with them."
He hoped to raise thousands of dollars for the organisation.
Mr Foley said members of the international Star Wars cosplay group 501st Legion would be on the expo floor with buckets to help collect money.
Cosplay is the practice of dressing up as a character from a film, book or video game.
"What we’re trying to do here is give people who are really into cosplay an experience.
"We want them to be like the stars themselves."
The expo will hold a special sensory hour at 9am today for children who struggled with sensory overload.
