Editor’s Note: The Westside Comic Con is run by a fantastic group of people who are heavily invested in Washington County and the creativity and well-being of everyone in our community. This event should be a fun time for all, and we plan to attend to see it all unfold! Best of luck to all.
HILLSBORO, OR – History is coming to the Westside. Organizers are proud to announce the inaugural Westside Comic Con, the first-ever large-scale comic book and pop culture convention in Washington County. The event will take over the Wingspan Event & Conference Center on May 23-24, 2026, offering a weekend dedicated to fandom, creativity, and community impact.
Unlike traditional corporate conventions, Westside Comic Con is a registered nonprofit organization built by the community, for the community. The event places a heavy emphasis on local Pacific Northwest talent, featuring an expansive Artist Alley dedicated to Oregon-based illustrators, writers, and makers.
Mission-Driven Fandom: Supporting Make-A-Wish® Oregon. This year’s convention is proud to partner with Make-A-Wish Oregon. A portion of the event’s proceeds, along with dedicated onsite fundraising activities at the 501* booth and other locations, will go directly toward granting life-changing wishes for children with critical
illnesses in our region. Additionally, 25% of event profits will be used to match the onsite fundraising.
The Hero Pass: Boosting Local Small Business
In an effort to drive economic growth back into Hillsboro and the surrounding areas, Westside
Comic Con is introducing the HeroPass. This initiative connects attendees with local brick-and-mortar businesses. By showing their convention badge or HeroPass, fans will receive exclusive discounts and “super” perks at participating museums, coffee shops, and distilleries throughout Washington County during the convention month.
Event Highlights Include:
• Artist Alley: Over 60 local creators showcasing original art, comics, and handcrafted goods.
• Cosplay Showcase: A family-friendly competition celebrating the craftsmanship of local
costume designers with awards sponsored by Costume Avenue.
• Interactive Panels: Sessions ranging from “How to Break into Indie Comics” to Q&As with
guests like Kelly Sue DeConnic (Captain Marvel), Matt Faction (Batman), Keith Tucker
(Animaniacs), Robert “Floydman” Sumner (Garbage Pail Kids), and special guest Cheyenne
Osborn (Transformers Author and Make-A-Wish Recipient)
• Gaming Zone: A dedicated space for tabletop and retro gaming hosted by local vendors.
“We wanted to create an event that wasn’t just about the biggest celebrities, but about the biggest hearts in our community,” says Laura Hoover, Convention Director of Westside Comic Con.
“Bringing Washington County its first comic con at a world-class facility like Wingspan allows us to showcase local talent while giving back to kids through Make-A-Wish andsupporting our neighborhood small businesses.”
Badges are available at https://www.westsidecomiccon.com/events/2026-westside-comic-con.
Pricing starts at $25 for a weekend pass.
Welcome to Westside Comic Con
When: May 23 & 24, 2026
Friday: 12-6pm (Badge Pick Up Only)
Saturday: 9:00am-10:00pm
Sunday: 9:00am-6:00pm
Where: Wingspan Event & Conference Center
801 NE 34th Ave
Hillsboro, OR 97124
Key Links
Make-A-Wish Fundraiser – https://secure2.wish.org/site/TR/WishYourWay/Make-A-
WishOregon?pg=personal&px=11488000&fr_id=7416
Programming Schedule – https://www.westsidecomiccon.com/schedule/2026-westside-
comic-con
Hero Pass Sign Up – https://www.westsidecomiccon.com/discounts
About Westside Comic Con:
Westside Comic Con is in the process of being certified as a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization dedicated to fostering community through the celebration of pop culture. Based in Washington County, Oregon, our mission is to support local artists, stimulate the local economy, and provide charitable support to organizations serving Pacific Northwest youth.
Follow us on Instagram and Facebook: @WestsideComicCon | #WestsideCC2026
Amy Chambers
Marketing Manager
communications@westsidecomiccon.com
www.westsidecomiccon.com
