2+2 reasons to visit C2E2: Annual Chicago convention is worth the trip from the suburbs
The Chicago Comic & Entertainment Expo, better known as C2E2, returns Friday, March 22, to Sunday, March 24, to McCormick Place's South Building, 2301 S. Martin Luther King Drive, Chicago. The pop-culture convention is celebrating its 10th year of celebrity guests, colorful cosplay and comic-book fun, and there are still plenty of reasons for suburbanites to make the trek into the city.
1. It's easier to get there than you think
Driving to McCormick Place from the suburbs is not most people's idea of a good time, especially when you tack on the $36 parking fee at the venue! Luckily, C2E2 will be running three free shuttle-bus routes all weekend long.
Route 1 picks up convention-goers at the Millennium Station on Michigan and Randolph, a good option for anyone taking the South Shore Metra line or any CTA line with a stop on the east side of The Loop.
Route 2 stops at Union Station and Ogilvie Transportation Center, convenient for Metra riders.
Route 3 will pick you up at the McCormick Place Green Line stop on Cermak.
The shuttles will operate from 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. on Friday and Saturday, and 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Sunday. If you must drive and want to go all three days of the convention, McCormick Place offers a three-day pass for C2E2 visitors for ... drumroll, please ... 80 bucks. Visit mccormickplace.clickandpark.com for more information.
2. See your favorite casts come together
“May I remind you that it does not say RSVP on the Statue of Liberty?” You can meet the woman who uttered that hilarious line and three of her castmates at C2E2.
Alicia Silverstone will enjoy a mini-”Clueless” reunion next weekend with Paul Rudd, Donald Faison and Breckin Meyer, all of whom are scheduled to appear. You can get an autograph from your favorite member of the clique or share a photo with them for an extra fee (check out the price list at C2E2.com/Guests/Photo-Ops), or see them all together at 12:15 p.m. Saturday on the main stage for a panel discussion.
The “Clueless” cast members aren't the only ones who will be rollin' with their homies at C2E2. Wheeling's own John Francis Daley will appear with “Freaks and Geeks” co-star Martin Starr at a Friday panel, Marvel heroes Ming-Na Wen and Clark Gregg will talk “Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.” on Saturday evening, and “Cobra Kai's” karate duo of Ralph Macchio and William Zabka take the main stage on Sunday.
3. Tremendous talent on Artist Alley
Celebrity guests are shiny and exciting, sure, but Artist Alley is the beating heart of any pop-culture convention. It's there where you'll find the people who create comic books, posters, paintings, sketches and books across all genres - and you'll find their colorful, beautiful artwork, too.
Artists from all over the world will be on hand, but Chicago and the suburbs will be well-represented. Maybe you'll run into Streamwood's Art Baltazar, whose work includes DC staples such as Batman, Harley Quinn and the Tiny Titans. Or Bill Amend, whose “FoxTrot” comic strip has been delighting readers for decades.
See the full list of artists at C2E2.com.
4. Pinky and The Brain, live on stage
You don't have to wait until Friday for the fun to begin - the cast of the beloved '90s cartoon “Animaniacs” will unofficially kick off C2E2 at 8 p.m. Thursday with a live performance at Copernicus Center, 5216 W. Lawrence Ave., Chicago.
“Animaniacs LIVE!” is a separately ticketed event featuring voice actors Rob Paulsen (Pinky and Yakko), Maurice LaMarche (The Brain), Tress MacNeille (Dot) and Jess Harnell (Wakko) accompanied by composer Randy Rogel. I bet you'll hear the “Pinky and The Brain” theme song, Yakko singing all the countries in the world, and maybe even a “Hello, Nurse!”
Tickets for the all-ages show run from $27 to $49, and are available at copernicuscenter.org. And don't worry: If you can't make it for Thursday's performance, you'll get plenty of chances to see the four “animany, totally insany” cast members at the convention itself. (But no Dana Delany, sadly.)
C2E2 convention
When: 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Friday, March 22, and Saturday, March 23; 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday, March 24
Where: McCormick Place (South Building), 2301 S. Martin Luther King Drive, Chicago
Tickets: $30 Friday, $45 Saturday, $40 Sunday. Limited number of three-day passes available for $75. Prices go up day of show. Buy in advance at C2E2.com.
Parking: $36 at McCormick Place; Satellite lots and free shuttles available; C2E2 recommends SpotHero app to find discount parking.