Con Nooga promises stars, iconic car - Feb. 21-23

photo A 1966 Batmobile replica will be on display at Con Nooga this weekend. Fans can have their photo made sitting inside the iconic car.
photo Chandler Riggs stars as Carl Grimes on AMC's "The Walking Dead."

MORE COVERAGERead a story about author Jim Butcher, a Con Nooga guest, in today's Life section.IF YOU GO¦ What: Con Nooga.¦ When: Friday-Sunday, Feb. 21-23.¦ Where: Chattanooga Choo Choo, 1400 Market St., (host site) and Chattanooga Convention Center, 1150 Carter St. (exhibitor hall).¦ Admission: All-inclusive $60 adult three-day pass, $20 accompanied children ages 6-13; $100 family pass (two adults, two children). Convention Center access (for those without a Con Nooga badge) $20 Friday, $30 Saturday, $15 Sunday. On-site payment is cash only.¦ Phone: 423-243-7165.¦ Email: info@connooga.com.¦ Website: www.ConNooga.com.

Before you can sum up the parts that make up Con Nooga, first take a deep breath.

Now begin the list of buzzwords: actors, artists, authors, filmmakers, science fiction, horror, fantasy, anime, comics, paranormal, haunting, costuming, gaming, concerts, shows, contests, workshops, fan groups, dealers and exhibitors.

That amalgamation begins to describe everything the convention encompasses -- from programming niches in multiple genres to special guest stars to average fans. Though you must remember that "average" takes on an entirely different meaning during this three-day multifandom expo, where costumes -- superhero to Stormtrooper -- are de rigueur.

More than 150 visitors are considered special guests at the convention, their ranks ranging from authors to psychics to burlesque acts.

Mirroring the current pop-culture fascination, zombies are big, with at least four actors from AMC's "The Walking Dead" and a makeup artist appearing. You'll probably recognize young Chandler Riggs, who plays Carl Grimes. The others may take a little longer to place, as they are usually in full zombie disarray.

Other stars are coming from "Doctor Who" spinoff "Torchwood" and the reality series "Face Off."

One hot commodity is expected to be a replica of a 1966 Batmobile. Batman fans can slide into the seat and have a photo made.

Con Nooga will run Friday through Sunday, Feb. 21-23, at the Chattanooga Choo Choo and the Chattanooga Convention Center.

The Con Nooga parade returns for a second year at 9 a.m. Saturday, Feb. 22. Costumed characters, floats and other vehicles will travel along Market and 13th streets from the Choo Choo, where most of the convention takes place, to the Convention Center, which has 46,000 square feet devoted to exhibitions.

It's an eight-block walk, or you can catch shuttles running every 15 minutes. CARTA's free downtown shuttle also will be available.

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