Comic Fusion's 10th annual Superhero Weekend raised money for advocates for children living in foster care.
FLEMINGTON -- Davina Hechtor knew she had to pull her car over when she saw a stormtrooper from Star Wars out of the corner of her eye.
Outside Flemington's Comic Fusion stood a stormtrooper and a fleet of other Star Wars characters and superheroes, who came out to support the store's 10th annual NJ Superhero Weekend Saturday, Aug. 20 and Sunday, Aug. 21 at its store in the Turntable Junction shopping village.
Knowing her boyfriend loves Star Wars, Hechtor posed with a stormtrooper to show him later.
The two-day event attracted a number of Flemington residents who came to peruse local art, pose with superheroes and listen to live music. The event benefited CASA of Somerset, Hunterdon and Warren Counties (CASA SHaW), an organization that provides advocates in court for children living in foster care. Comic Fusion expected to raise around $3,000 for the cause through raffles and a comic book sketch auction.
According to a release, Comic Fusion has raised more than $57,000 for charities since 2007.
On Sunday, young kids hugged and took photos with different characters and superheroes. Some played on a firetruck the Flemington Fire Department brought over. Later, Darrien Rich, a former CASA intern, played covers of popular songs on her guitar.
CASA's executive director Tracey Heisler said she hopes the event raises awareness for the cause.
"It's something that happens in every community and crosses socioeconomic status," she said. "And it continues because it's cloaked in silence."
She brought four of her eight children the first day of the event and said they loved the cosplayers.
Comic Fusion's owner Stacy Korn loves seeing people come back to the event every year, she said. It's the kids' enthusiasm that makes all the planning worth it.
"The reason to do this is to raise money and show the community that anybody can be a superhero."
When a young girl told her Superhero Weekend was better than Disneyworld, she didn't take the comment lightly.
"I thought 'crap, I'd better keep doing this thing,'" she said.
Kate Mishkin may be reached at kmishkin@njadvancemedia.com. Follow her on Twitter @KateMishkin. Find The Hunterdon County Democrat on Facebook.
