Geek culture is flourishing in Winkler thanks to a successful follow up to last year's first Comic Con.

Hundreds of comic book fans, cosplayers, science fiction enthusiasts and gamers attended the multi-facility convention in Winkler.

Organizer Deb Penner says attendance for the second annual event was in keeping with the popular innagural convention in 2017, in many ways the first rural comic con in Canada.

"I think it's a really good thing, I think it's filling something we don't have in the region at all," she says, adding organizers are always looking for ways to improve the event.

A number of exhibitors packed out the Garden Valley Collegiate gym, selling everything from comic books and original artwork to knitted plushies from popular television shows and movies.

The event also attracted a number of groups like the Costume Alliance, a Winnipeg non-profit cosplay organization that supports the amateur costume community while raising money for good causes.

Alen Daniels explains cosplayers create a whimsical atmosphere at comic conventions, "You have such an impact on everybody there, from the little guy that runs up to you with an action figure in his hand, to the dad standing behind him that gave him that action figure... you tug on the heartstrings of every generation."

Convention goers were of all ages

Like the major comic conventions around the world, the Winkler event included a costume contest, video game tournaments, movie and anime screenings, as well as featured speakers and panels.

Attendees came from across the region, from as far away as Brandon and Morris.