.Yards of Cards at Sonoma Con

Sonoma Con is back and … they’re adding cosplay.

But before one decides to dust off those old comic books and try to sell them for far less than they thought they were worth, Sonoma Con isn’t really a comic book convention.

Rather, it’s a celebration of TCGs (Trading Card Games), TTRPG (Tabletop Role-Playing Games) and all of the wonder and whimsy that goes along with these incredibly popular hobbies.

This year’s event, the second annual, has also moved from the Santa Rosa Veteran’s Memorial building to spaces across the street at the Santa Rosa Fairgrounds. Event producer Joe Sapp is excited for the growth, saying they “are striving to create an inclusive environment, where attendees of all ages can come and celebrate their fandoms or create new ones.”

But before we delve into what the weekend will have, perhaps a little explanation of what this is all about is necessary?

TCGs are best described as Magic cards in the same way grabbing a ride-share is considered “Ubering.” In other words, Magic is the common term, but there are many, many more Trading Card Games out there. Similarly, a common example of a TTRPG would be Dungeons and Dragons, but again, there are many forms of Tabletop Role-Playing Games. This concludes the covering of our rear-ends from fans who will write letters regarding such a simple explanation of a beloved and diversified gamescape.

Fans of these games, if they’re still with us, will be thrilled to hear that according to Sapp, “This year’s convention will feature prominent Magic: The Gathering artists, as well as renowned cosplayers from Magic: The Gathering and Flesh and Blood.” He adds the weekend “will also feature some experiences that will be free to attendees, such as pumpkin painting with a local artist and Miniature ‘Paint-and-Take,’ where you can paint a miniature for free and take it home with you.”

Some of the names who will be attending include card illustrator Phil Stone, who is best known for his “Rulebook Showcase illustrations in Magic: The Gathering,” as well as some of his most famous cards, which include Ancient Copper Dragon, Sword of Forge and Frontier, and Tyrranax Rex. Other Magic-centric guests include RK Post, Randy Gallegos and Steven Russell Black.

Other notable guests in the house (or castle) include Croatian illustrator Milivoj Ćeran, veteran inker Jeff Laubenstein and voice actor Nikki Rapp, who fans may know from her work including voicing children in the original Sims series, Sims 2 and Sims 3, as well as her role as Lili Zanotto in Psychonauts, Deadeye Courtney in Broken Age and Lilly in Telltale Games’ The Walking Dead.

Sapp says Sonoma Con is the only TCG- and TTRPG-focused convention in Sonoma County and adds, “I am looking forward to the inclusion of our first cosplay competition and cosplay parade. I think it’s really cool that we get to lean into the Halloween season, and merge that with people’s love for dressing up to celebrate their fandoms.”

The event runs from 9am to 9pm, Saturday, Oct. 4, and Sunday, Oct. 5. Two-day passes are $25 for adults, $15 for those under 18, and one-day passes are $15 for adults, $10 for those under 18.

For more information, check out sonoma-con.com.