On the latest episode of Distance Nerding, the crew didn’t just cover the news—they became part of it. With Free Comic Book Day still buzzing and events like Omega Con and Gem State Comic Con on the horizon, it’s clear that the real heartbeat of fandom in 2025 isn’t coming from the mega-cons in San Diego or New York. It’s happening in places like Madera, Lodi, and Boise.
Local cons are quietly doing what the big ones forgot how to do: building community.
Smaller Cons, Bigger Connections
Omega Con 2 is a perfect example. Held at the Madera Fairgrounds and organized by Pete Salazar, this con brings in big names like Lou Ferrigno and Doug Jones but still manages to keep things personal. It’s not about packed panels and red carpet chaos. It’s about stopping by a booth, talking to the voice of Andy from Toy Story, then grabbing a themed michelada at the Star Wars-style cantina—run by a nonprofit, no less.
These events aren’t fighting for headlines. They’re creating memories.
Cosplay-Driven Culture
The DeLong Family Cosplay team, featured on the podcast, are regulars at these regional shows. They’re not just attendees—they’re part of the experience. At Omega Con, they’re offering an interactive photo booth packed with 90s props and custom pieces fans can pose with. Their booth isn’t just decoration, it’s a destination. You don’t find that kind of fan-to-fan connection in the mega-halls of Hall H.
When a con is built on local involvement, it becomes more than a show. It becomes a gathering place for the culture.
Value Over Volume
At big-name cons, a ticket might cost you a hundred bucks just to stand in line for merch. But at Lodi Comic-Con or Omega Con, presale tickets are often $10 to $15. That’s not a gimmick—it’s accessibility. Fans of all ages can show up, get autographs, buy from small vendors, meet voice actors, and walk away with a deeper love for the fandom than they walked in with.
And when vendors, performers, and guests are local or longtime community faces, it doesn’t feel like commerce. It feels like celebration.
A Return to Purpose
Distance Nerding called it like it is: these regional cons are in their golden age. They’re leaner, friendlier, and more focused on what fans actually want. Panels aren’t overproduced. Guests aren’t behind velvet ropes. And fans? They’re not just showing up to consume—they’re shaping the show itself.
Fandom is strongest when it’s shared, not sold. And right now, these local conventions are proving that the best stories don’t always come from the biggest stages.
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