WARNER ROBINS, Ga. — If you're shopping at Kroger on Watson Boulevard Saturday, you may run into some fun characters.
That's because the grocery store is hosting a free comic con, called Little Hero Con, to raise money for Children's Miracle Network Hospitals. That includes the Beverly Knight Olson Children's Hospital in Macon.
There will be local comic book artists, writers, cosplayers, and vendors at the event. Professional comic book artist Ray Snyder, who's worked with Marvel, DC, and Dark Horse, will be there, as well as Matt Smith, a comic book creator from Central Georgia. They'll also be raffling off prizes throughout the day.
As a longtime Kroger employee, Chris Garrett says he's always taken part when they raise funds for Children's Miracle Network, but he started the event two years ago as a way to make it more fun and unique.
"Kids look at heroes. They look at heroes to feel good about themselves, they look at heroes to get better and get through a situation, so I said, 'well I think I can make something out of that,'" Garret said. "So that's how I kind of came up with the concept."
Garrett says vendors and artists have made generous donations to be at the event, and while it's free for the public, donations are always appreciated.
"We'll have Children's Miracle Network balloons available, and we will have little jars.... so we'll have signs just advertising for donations, we won't be really asking for anything, so we're really focused on having fun, and just hoping that people will like to join us for the cause and make a donation," Garrett said.
The first year, Garret says they raised over $200, and in their second year, about $350. He says it's kind of funny seeing peoples' reactions, because it's a full-blown comic con inside of a grocery store.
"You have customers that are so surprised and kids are so delighted, because they're looking at something they've never seen before," Garret said. "They see Star Wars characters and Disney characters, and they're so amazed by it, and I think it's part of why we costume, because it's just the reaction we get out of the kids. It's priceless."
If you're interested in being a vendor, Garrett says there's still time to reach out and see if there are spots left through their Facebook page.
Little Hero Con takes place Saturday, June 1 at the Kroger located at 3094 Watson Boulevard in Warner Robins from noon to 6 p.m.