Armageddon Expo attendee Katherine Scott had three costumes over the weekend. Photo / Supplied
Part-time cosplayer and full-time pilot Katherine Scott admits her first Armageddon Expo costume was “really basic”.
“I think it was a lab coat or something,” Scott said.
“Then it spiralled into something amazing.”
Yesterday, Scott joined a crowd of thousands at Trustpower Baypark Arena for Tauranga’s seventh Armageddon Expo.
The event organisers expected about 10,000 fans and pop culture enthusiasts to attend the event, which was inspired by the American pop culture festival Comic Con.
For Scott, Armageddon is not just about dressing up. Scott is a member of the international Star Wars costuming group Rebel Legion. Together, the local members of the group raise funds for a charity at every Armageddon event.
“We’re all huge Star Wars fans and we do it for a good cause,” Scott said.
“I feel like I’m doing something good, while also being a big kid and dressing up.”
This year, the Rebel Legion’s charity was Heart Kids New Zealand, a national organisation that provides free, life-long care and support for children, teens, adults and whānau impacted by childhood heart conditions.
Scott and the other members of the Rebel Legion also visit hospitals.
When faced with their elaborate costumes, Scott said kids usually had one of two reactions.