Inaugural popular culture festival coming to Lake Macquarie

Lake Macquarie, situated in the Hunter Region of NSW, is hosting the inaugural popular culture festival - Lake Mac POP BAM - a celebration of all things popular culture including comics, superheroes, music, film, television and everything in between.

The inaugural event will be held on Saturday 29th July at Warners Bay Theatre, Baramayiba.

From cosplay panel discussions to Swordcraft battles along with movie characters, magical wizard craft, costume displays, trivia, and lightsaber demonstrations the festival offers something for everyone.

Lake Macquarie City Council Manager Arts, Culture and Tourism Jacqui Hemsley said the festival would cater to fans of franchises like Star Wars, Harry Potter and Doctor Who, as well as those who loved Lego and role-playing games.

“This will be an inclusive event aimed at teens and above, celebrating the fun and magic that pop culture delivers."

Swordcraft Newcastle will host demonstrations throughout the 10am-4pm event, while Oz Comic-Con FX award-winner Simon Wait will showcase his range of cosplay characters.

The festival will also feature a Sons of Obiwan lightsaber skills show, a cosplay panel covering everything from costume design to makeup, a Pop Bam pop culture trivia contest and local businesses who specialise in pop culture.

A 3pm cosplay competition will offer prizes for the best-dressed contestants, with registrations taken on the day from 1-3pm.

The Dark Knight will be on hand alongside Star Wars favourites from the 501st Legion and a host of other cosplay characters from movies, comic books and pop culture.

So too will David Hambly, the man who played Zeus’s harpist in the Marvel blockbuster Thor: Love & Thunder.

The Lake Mac local started dressing up about five years ago “for a bit of extra work”, then landed the dream Hollywood gig.

“I base characters on both the event and what suits my appearance,” Hambly shared.

“For example, if it’s a medieval festival then I would dress accordingly, but for pop culture events I dress as Zeus’s harpist because that’s the character I played in the film. It seems logical to play myself as I am that character.”

Brenton Portus, who has been involved in the cosplay scene for almost 15 years, said his love of pop culture prompted him to throw on costumes ranging from Ghostbusters to Marvel superheroes and Star Wars clone troopers.

“Sometimes I think people forget how much fun it is to be a kid, and enjoying the heck out of things just because you can,” he said.

“Most parents will bring their kids to the event, thinking it’s just for them, but the parents end up getting a kick out of it also.”

Tickets to Pop Bam are $10 for adults, $7 for children aged 5-17 and free for kids under five.

Go to lakemac.com.au for more information and bookings.

Image. Cosplay characters including batman and ghostbusters preparing for lake macs pop bam festival. Credit: Lake Macquarie City Council