It’s been a couple of years since I was last at Fan Expo. I had a brief appearance last year, hosting a panel for Dundurn Press (check out their booth this year, lots of great books to read!) and getting some gorgeous art for the living room wall.

I was a little anxious about the crowds, that’s been a new thing for me. Or at least an augmented thing since Covid. Large masses of people really unnerve me, but everyone was in a great mood. There were no heads buried in phone screens, and everyone is really engaged in their environment, checking out the fabulous costumes, and searching for that perfect memento and collectible.

I had a chance to check out the Paramount+ Lodge and sit in Captain Pike’s actual command chair from Star Trek: Strange New Worlds, I saw props and gorgeous art from the new Disney+ series Ahsoka, and I got to chat to a number of eager fans who were just happy to be there.

While I checked on scheduled appearances (for the first time in years, I’m actually autograph hunting, and I’m after the Star Trek guests that are dropping into the con this year, Anson Mount, Ethan Peck, Todd Stashwick, Gates McFadden and Michelle Hurd, I prowled the aisles of the north and south building of the Metro Toronto Convention Centre and checked out the art, the toys, the models, the posters, the Funkos.

It was a sort of homecoming.

There definitely seems to be a greater influx of anime booths since my last full visit, and that just means at some point, I have a lot to catch up on in that arena.

There are lightsabers to be bought everywhere, and they all look great. I’d say have a chat with the folks at TVX Sabers in the South Building because they want to go all out and give you the best experience that they can, but there are amazing lazer swords to be found in every corner of the convention so find the best for you.

If you get the chance as you wander through Artist Alley, and man there is a lot to explore there, check out Layered Butter. They have some fantastic-looking art as do the folks at MartelArt3D and if you’re looking for something stylish that shares your love of pop culture, there are two The Roosevelts (RSVLTS) booths to cater to your needs (I have my eye on a Jurassic Park tiki shirt) and the booth in the North Building has some great Star Wars ones.

I walked away from the Expo satisfied with my return, and with a couple of purchases, Sonic Boom, a fantastic music store, and grabbed an original copy of the soundtrack for Battlestar Galactica from 1978 and the other was a collection of soaps.

Let me explain, my Facebook feed has occasionally been inundated with ads for Dr. Squatch crafted soap bars, but I’ve never ordered from them online as I didn’t know if I would like the product. Well, guess what, they have a booth as well, and had some great-smelling products for purchase, including a Star Wars 4-pack!

Honestly, the Expo is off to a great start, and even with the SAG-AFTRA strikes, I think it’s going to be a lot of fun meeting and greeting some Trek actors tomorrow!