Visit the Intergalactic Flea Market This Saturday for Sci-Fi Fun!
by James Coulter
International Market World in Auburndale is known for out-of-this-world deals. And this weekend, it will be hosting out-of-this-world fun as it transforms into the Intergalactic Flea Market.
This Sat., Nov. 16, come experience the inaugural pop-up comic convention from the folks who brought you SyFy Bartow and PrehistoriCON in Mulberry.
You’ll be taken to a sci-fi convention in a galaxy far, far away with countless vendors along with other fun activities including a costume contest, lightsaber demonstration, magic show, and trivia contests.
Sean L. Serdynski, founder of Bartow Con LLC, has been hosting conventions like this for more than a decade. He started on the convention scene back in the 1960s. Now, he hosts more than five to six each year across Polk County.
His longest-running convention has been SyFy Bartow, which has been drawing thousands of guests to Downtown Bartow for nearly 12 years. The most interesting part? It all started as a joke.
Nearly 14 years ago, he saw a post on social media inquiring about potential ideas to draw people to Downtown Bartow. Sean jokingly suggested hosting a comic convention.
He expected that suggestion to be shot down. Instead, he was asked by Trish Pfifer to meet with her the next Monday to discuss plans for the convention.
That year, he was given one block of road to host at least 10 vendors. The roads weren’t even blocked off. Everything was hosted on the sidewalk. That inaugural year drew in 2,000 guests to downtown.
The next year expanded the event to three blocks and drew in 5,000 guests. Now, Syfy Bartow encompasses 15 blocks (including a two to three-block car show) and attracts 5,000 visitors per year.
“It is a real phenomenon that keeps growing year after year, and it has been a real joy and pleasure to put it on,” Sean said.
He has high expectations for the Intergalactic Flea Market. Anyone who has never attended a comic convention before is recommended to attend an event like this.
“If you have never been to a comic convention before, Bartow Con is a good starter event for you to come and see what it is all about,” Sean said. “Come and wear your cosplay. Everyone is welcome.”
Intergalactic Flea Market will be hosted this Sat. Nov. 16 from 10 AM – 4 PM at International Market World, located at 1052 US-92, Auburndale, FL 33823.
Sean L. Serdynski recently appeared on the Chattin on the Ridge podcast to discuss Bartow Con LLC. Listen to the full episode on Acast: https://shows.acast.com/chattin-on-the-ridge/episodes/ep-47-break-your-fall-at-the-intergalactic-flea-market-wpast
