Mario, Dora, Mr. Sulu and More Are Coming to Kentucky

Of all the cultural touchstones that have marked the last 20 or so years, I'd have to say "cons" are among my favorites. I haven't been to very many of them, but the sheer concept always rings my chimes. What's even better is that it's no longer just Comic Con in San Diego like it was for so many years.

Yes, the cons have branched out, and we can now enjoy them anywhere. And while there are so many types of cons, comic and toy cons are among the most popular. This Labor Day weekend, the Lexington Comic & Toy Con will bring some of your favorite actors and voice artists to Kentucky.

Mario (Charles Martinet)

He's the man behind the voice of one of the most iconic video game characters of all time. He not only voices Mario, but he's done it so much that Charles Martinet is in the Guinness Book of World Records.

Dora the Explorer (Kathleen Herles)

If you grew up in the early 2000s, you likely heard Kathleen Herles' voice a lot. That's what happens when you're the voice of one of the most popular and merchandised animated characters in history.

Mr. Sulu (George Takei)

Talk about icons, George Takei has seldom ever left our sight. Star Trek began in 1966, and Takei was right there as Mr. Sulu, a role he always played in the Star Trek movie franchise that began in 1979. If you get to meet him, and you can't coax an "Oh my" out of him, you haven't done your job. (Also, though, I don't think it will take much coaxing.) I would also venture to guess that this Star Trek convention veteran will feel right at home at the Lexington Comic & Toy Con.

Patton Oswalt

I hope Patton Oswalt has enough time to give Con guests samples of this full scope of voice-over work; there's a lot of it. And what variety. From the Marvel villain M.O.D.O.K. to multiple Bojack Horseman characters to his starring role as Remy in PIXAR's Ratatouille, he's covered so much ground. Who knows who will answer if you ask him a question?

For a complete celebrity line-up, visit the guest page at lexingtoncomiccon.com.

The Lexington Comic & Toy Con will take place September 4th through the 6th at Central Bank Center, adjacent to Rupp Arena, and tickets are still available.