Kahnawake Expo Celebrating Star Wars Day Draws Record Crowd

In observance of Star Wars Day, the annual K-Town Collectables Expo held in Kahnawake brought together a diverse crowd of fans to celebrate all things nerdy, with a special emphasis on the renowned space saga.

The expo, situated just across the St. Lawrence River from Montreal, saw thrilling interactions between attendees and familiar characters like Darth Vader and storm troopers mixing with the likes of Luigi and Mario, creating an atmosphere of playful nostalgia at the Kahnawake Sports Complex.

If nine-year-old Tommy Marquis could sum up the event in one word, it would be ‘fun.’ He expressed his delight in exploring the array of memorabilia on offer while being accompanied by his artist father, Teiowí:sonte Thomas Deer, who has made a mark in the comics world with his work on Star Wars, G.I. Joe, and Transformers.

Deer underscored the allure of the Kahnawake expo within his Kanien’kehá:ka (Mohawk) community, pointing out the event’s affordability and its focus on comic books and collectibles, making it distinct from larger shows like the Montreal Comic-con which tends to highlight guest stars and movie-related content.

Organizer Will Rice highlighted the exponential growth of the expo over the years, with this year’s event being the biggest yet, hosting 108 vendors and boasting over 200 tables. From its modest beginnings with 20 vendors and 40 tables in the inaugural show in 2017, the expo has now become a notable gathering in Quebec dedicated to toy and collectible enthusiasts.

The appeal of the expo spans the entire Quebec region, attracting aficionados from both Kahnawake and its surrounding areas. The environment of shared interests and camaraderie, whether in the quest for light sabers, video games, or collector cards, resonated with many visitors who savored the chance to meet like-minded individuals amid a backdrop of cherished collectibles.

Vendor Dave Hall attested to the convivial atmosphere, recounting a recent engaging conversation that veered away from collectibles to discussions about parenthood.