About 650 Yukoners dressed as Spiderman and other superheroes mingled with the likes of celebrities Kevin Sorbo and Magda Apanowicz and famous artists over the weekend as the first-ever YukomiCon drew crowds decked out in full costume over three days.

John Boivin, the Yukon Comic Culture Society secretary and YukomiCon organizer, said this morning the group was “absolutely delighted” with how it went and the community support behind it.

Over the course of three days at the Coast High Country Inn, exhibits, workshops, a gaming tournament and costume events including a parade and ball were among the sessions held embracing pop culture.

Along with bringing up Sorbo, who starred as Hercules in the recently released movie by the same name and Apanowicz, who plays Emily on the Continuum series, about 10 artists arrived in the territory (including the likes of comic book artist Ken Steacy as well as Brandon Graham and Simon Roy, creators of Image Comics’ Prophet Series) to show off their work alongside locals like Colin Alexander inside the Artists Alley.

Businesses like the recently launched Yukon Apparel, as well as Titan Gaming and others also set up shop as vendors at the event.

Workshops ranged from fantasy masque-making to tips and tricks from comic book pros to digital design among others.

Boivin said one of the biggest highlights for him – a comment that “made my spine tingle” – happened when he dropped in at the end of one of the panel discussions to hear a panelist state ComiCon events like this are welcoming, safe environments which provide a place for people with the same interests to come together.

He said he was also pleased to see the wide range of age groups the event appealed to as he watched families arrive with the kids taking off to the Kids Corner and events that interested them while parents were happy to find vendors, displays and sessions of interest to them.

Events appealed to the very young too with the Cosplay costume parade proving a huge success among youngsters.

The 19-plus age crowd enjoyed a costume ball and contest late Saturday night.

The costumed festivities weren’t limited to the convention centre.

Officials with the Whitehorse Waterfront Trolley got into the spirit of things with drivers dressed up and waiving the ticket fee to anyone dressed in costume.

At least one young Batman was among those spotted on the train with his caregivers.

“The way the community embraced us was amazing,” Boivin said, acknowledging the help of many in the business community and noting visiting artists and celebrities expressed their appreciation for the enthusiasm of the community.

While much of the guests’ time was spent at the Coast High Country Inn signing autographs, speaking to fans and appearing in panel discussions, Sorbo was able to get in a round of golf at the Meadow Lakes course and many were pleased with the fresh fruit, snacks and Yukon Brewing beer (featuring labels specifically designed for YukomiCon) provided in their hotel rooms.

For their first convention, Boivin said he believes the comic culture society “hit it out of the park,” though he acknowledged there may be some minor changes to next year’s YukomiCon.

The group will review the feedback received over the course of the weekend and look at what they might do different in the future, but Boivin said he believes any changes would mostly be “cosmetic.”

The “artist’s alley,” for example, may be better suited to the main hall.

He also pointed out the society is a year-round organization, and though YukomiCon is their main event, it will likely look at hosting other activities throughout the year.

Many of the artists expressed a desire to visit the territory again.

Boivin said the group might look at the possibility of bringing up some artistic talent to visit local schools as well as other events before next year’s YukomiCon.