"This is our annual, major event in which we go all out. ".
Queen's University Belfast is awash in color as thousands attend its annual Q-Con, which attracts everything from furries to Furbies.
In its 29th year, the gaming, cosplay, and anime convention is one of the biggest in Ireland.
Over the course of this weekend, organizers anticipate 10,000 participants.
Ben Harrison, a member of the university's Dragon Slayers anime and gaming society, describes the event as "what it says on the tin"—games, anime, and other forms of nerd culture and fun.
"Our goal is to be the largest and best in the UK. ".
He explains that planning for the convention, which is a charitable, volunteer-run, non-profit event, can take up to 12 months.
Since its inception in 1994, Q-Con has expanded to include special sections for cosplay, trading, retail sales, trading cards, board games, collectible card games, and an artists' showcase.
Ben claims that the university has always provided excellent support for all on-campus student activities.
"Having all these fantastic venues at our disposal allows us to spread things out quite a bit. We have access to 10, 15, or more different buildings. ".
Despite attending Q-Con for the past ten years, Danielle Gray, a resident of Belcoo in County Fermanagh, has only recently begun cosplaying, or dressing up as a fictional character from a movie, book, or video game.
"I'd seen people making it on Instagram, YouTube, and other platforms," she explains. "Then just during Covid it was something to do to keep me out of trouble, something to do after work.".
"Over lockdown, I had purchased a few 3D printers, and things only got worse from there. ".
With the last-minute addition of an internal fan to her first-ever costume, Danielle is attempting to stay cool throughout the weekend by donning it.
"I like it because, at the end of it, it's satisfying to look at something you made yourself. ".
The convention is "amazing for meeting like-minded people," according to her, and "always has a great buzz about it.".
"I'm meeting people who have been doing it for a lot longer than I have, and you get chatting to them - how they made this, how they made that - you learn so much," the speaker said. We don't often have the chance to do this. ".
Since going to his first Q-Con the previous year, 22-year-old Cameron Crawford of Kilcoo, County Down, had been planning his Thor costume.
"When we came down last year, it was fantastic," he says. "I didn't really know what to expect.".
"I enjoyed being down here and around everyone who is dressed up as well; it makes you feel a little welcomed.
This is our big, all-out, once-a-year event, and it feels so cozy and welcoming.
No one should feel ashamed; everyone is free to come here dressed however they like and approach for photos. ".
"They greet you with things like, 'That looks really cool, that's very impressive,' which is fantastic. ".
According to Cameron, the central location of Q-Con, which has plenty of hotels and parking, as well as a competitive admission price when compared to other events held throughout the UK and Ireland, are additional draws for the convention.
Nik Lee, now 19, is from Keady in County Armagh and has attended Q-Con every year since she was 14 years old. She has been cosplaying for seven years.
Her League of Legends champion Ahri costume was also prepared well in advance.
She claims there is a greater sense of community among attendees than at comparable gatherings and that "everyone's more together here.".
She claims that everyone "sort of finds each other through Instagram or TikTok, friend groups come together through that, and then everybody links up and knows each other through that.".
Sunday, June 18, is the next day of Q-Con at Queen's University Belfast.
