Cornwall’s first-ever Cosplay Appreciation Day was held September 14, drawing around 40 cosplayers to the downtown area. Organized by Fantasy Realm and supported by the Cornwall & Area Pop Event (CAPE), the event celebrated the growing art of cosplay, where fans dress as characters from anime, comics, movies, and video games.
Randy Sauve, owner of Fantasy Realm and organizer of the event, shared his excitement about the day. “This is the first annual Cosplay Appreciation Day in Downtown Cornwall. The idea came out of the support that CAPE has received over the years for cosplay, and I thought this would be a great way to give back to our cosplay community. They’re very creative, and I consider them part of the art scene.”
Participating businesses, including Val’s Diner, Tickle Your Fancy Gift Shop, and Kids’ Korner, welcomed the costumed participants, offering discounts and deals. Also, Riley’s Bakery gave out free cookies and doughnuts to participants. As for the crowd, Sauve noted the steady turnout, saying, “It picked up around 11:30, and it’s been steady since then.”
Cosplayers portrayed a variety of characters, from Clark Kent’s Superman and Captain Marvel to anime figures and even a Lady Deadpool. Sauve praised the event as a successful step in supporting the cosplay community. “We’ve been waiting for an opportunity to give back, and I found that there were a lot of businesses downtown willing to participate,” he added.
