ESCANABA — Escanaba’s Bay College will be hosting its third annual BAY-CON pop culture convention, titled “BACK to the BAY-CON.”

The event will be held from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on May 3 in the Physical Education Center gymnasium and Besse Center, with free admission and free parking.

BAY-CON is the brainchild of Bay College Executive Director of Student Life & Campus Security Dave Laur, who originally came up with the event in 2019. After being postponed for several years due to the COVID-19 pandemic, BAY-CON struck back in 2022 and has been a success ever since.

“We had over 4,800 attendees last year, and expect 5,500-6,000 this year,” said Dave Laur. “That is so amazing to me, that last year we had over one third of the population of Escanaba by number at our event.”

This year’s BAY-CON boasts a cosplay contest, trivia, celebrity guest voice actors Nika Futterman and Sean Chiplock and Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles illustrator Steve Lavigne, a huge vendor space, a taco truck, vintage gaming and a Delorean, plus much more. Although the event is free, it is a fundraiser for the college’s student organizations, and so a $5 donation is suggested for all event-goers over the age of ten.

“In a time when it seems so many factors are trying to tear us all apart, it’s so rewarding to see people united over common interests and nostalgia,” said Laur. “It is also really fun to see people see the toys they had as kids. For just a moment, they are 7 years old again, opening their present at grandma’s house. It’s such a special thing to see.”

“I am so, so grateful to everyone who has supported BAY-CON, from coming to the event, telling others about it, supporting the vendors and artists, and making this dream a reality,” Laur said. “I’d also be remiss if I didn’t give our main sponsors a huge thank you, including Radio Results Network, Highline, Wiles Food Service, and Mancave Dave, LLC.”

Sponsorship opportunities are still available, and more information on this and the event can be found on the BACK to the BAY-CON Facebook event page, and Bay College BAY-CON website.