ETSU-Con Draws Pop Culture Fans to Johnson City

Annual event at East Tennessee State University celebrates fandoms and geek culture.

Published on Mar. 8, 2026

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East Tennessee State University hosted its annual ETSU-Con event over the weekend, drawing thousands of students, alumni, and pop culture enthusiasts from across the state to celebrate fandoms and geek culture.

Why it matters

ETSU-Con is a major annual event that highlights the university's vibrant student life and the region's growing interest in comic books, video games, anime, and other forms of pop culture. The convention helps foster a sense of community among fans and provides a platform for local artists, vendors, and cosplayers to showcase their work.

The details

The two-day convention featured panel discussions, gaming tournaments, cosplay contests, vendor booths, and appearances by special guests. Attendees were able to immerse themselves in their favorite fandoms, discover new geeky interests, and connect with like-minded individuals.

  • ETSU-Con was held on March 7-8, 2026.

The players

East Tennessee State University

A public university located in Johnson City, Tennessee, known for its vibrant student life and active campus community.

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The takeaway

ETSU-Con's continued success demonstrates the growing popularity of pop culture conventions and the university's commitment to providing engaging extracurricular activities for its students and the local community.