Santa Clara Convention Center holds inaugural Alien Con
SANTA CLARA, Calif. (KTVU) - For those of you wondering if we are alone in the universe, or if aliens live among us, the answer could be at the Santa Clara Convention Center this weekend.
That’s where you’ll find the inaugural Alien Con.
Eric Yee has an open secret that proves childhood dreams do come true. Not long after diapers, he formed an emotional bond with the robot from Lost In Space that’s led to an expensive hobby.
“This particular guy, he's like my big buddy. He’s my big brother. I'm an only child and I guess watching this guy, he had that relationship with Will Robinson," said Yee.
That protect-at-all-costs on-screen collaboration led Yee over the years, to build borrow, and borrow again $2,000 worth of parts and equipment to construct his own robot suit.
"He’s got the pot belly, the friendly not intrusive— like those big Japanese robots and he's very loyal."
For Yee, the robot isn't a TV prop or an actor's costume; it's a real person. that type of out-of-the-box thinking not only fits in, but is drawn in by the first inaugural Alien Con."
Crews are putting the finishing touches in place for a weekend full of creatures, features, aliens, and novelties..
The hit cable TV show Ancient Aliens built the fans base, which led to the decision to create Alien Con.
"There are a lot of fans around the world and we really wanted to give the fans an opportunity to all come together in one place, see their favorite stars, hear a lot of things about the topic and kind of just get together and socialize,” said Jill Tully V.P. at A&E Networks.
Upwards of 10,000 attendees are expected over the three days at the Santa Clara Convention Center— booming segment of the sci-fi market that Jose Castro hopes to tap into.
"For us it's a good way to maybe reach some new customers that don't know about our store already,” said Castro, owner of Time Tunnel Toys.
It's also allows discussion of the vexing question: Are we alone?..
"Just straight mathematically it's just impossible to think we're the only ones out here,” said Emily Jones & John Goodwin with Galaxy Press.
Math didn’t predict a boy’s TV love would one day lead to life imitating art.