Tauranga dad Jason Irons usually spends his weekend at home doing "normal stuff" with his children.
Yesterday, he was dressed head to toe as Kylo Ren from Star Wars: Episode 7, flanked by children Sirena, 11, and Troy, 9, dressed as Captain Phasma and a miniature version of Kylo Ren.
The Irons family were among the thousands who attended the first Tauranga Armageddon Expo at ASB Arena, where people's dreams and virtual worlds became reality. People dressed as walking dead, Indiana Jones, Scooby Doo and Dragonball Z characters in tribute to their heroes.
Mr Irons said the festival was a good excuse to spend time with the children doing something they loved while their mum was at home relaxing.
Sirena said she was a big fan of Star Wars and had been looking forward to the festival's arrival.
"I was really excited. I love going to Armageddon and seeing all the celebrities and people dressed up," she said.
Jake Halliday travelled from Auckland with his Resident Evil solider uniform in tow to make sure he was part of the weekend's event.
Dressed head to toe as "Hunk", complete with gas mask, Mr Halliday said he enjoyed making kids smile and posed for many photos with them. But not everyone was keen.
"I came to make kids smile but I've already made one cry a little bit. I suppose I look a little scary," he said.
"I like to make people happy. That's the whole reason I'm here. Plus I really like the zombie genre and I really like weapons, so it kind of goes hand in hand."
Mr Halliday already owned the black soldier suit, so he just added a few patches and gas mask to complete the look.
"I like dressing up. It gives you a sense of confidence."
Over the thrum of Armageddon fans a Roman general barked orders at his troops as they formed a ring of protection around a red-headed mermaid.
Darryl Thomas and his Imperial Romans of New Zealand created their own sideshow with formations around unsuspecting festival-goers.
The army were dressed in traditional metal armour, made in Mr Thomas' backyard shed, and carried real weapons and shields.
Mr Thomas said the group had enjoyed Tauranga's event so much they were keen to come back next time.
"No one is ever grumpy at these things," he said.
Roman soldier Darren Green said he spent nearly two weeks making his torso armour at Mr Thomas' shed.
Omokoroa man Martin Layzell helped form the army, and also helped offer accommodation for the posse.
Armageddon Expo Tauranga
The Tauranga event offered exhibitors, celebrities, gaming, animation screenings, skating, Cosplay Costume events, airsoft, amusements, Howler Hotdogs eating challenge and more. It also offered stars including guests from The 100, The Flash, Legends of Tomorrow, Highlander, Firefly, Lost Girl, Babylon 5, One Punch Man, Dragonball Z, Sailor Moon, Final Fantasy, Marvel comics and European Cosplayers.