Youngstown Comic Con returns this weekend after a three-year absence with a new promoter and a new location.

The event was started as All Ameri-Con and was founded by Greg Bartholomew, owner of All-American Comics and Cards in Warren and Boardman. It was last held as Youngstown Comic Con in 2019 at the Covelli Centre.

The event now is owned by promoter Corey Ward, who moved it to the Canfield Fairgrounds, where he presents toy shows, auto swap meets and other events.

“I met Greg through the toy show we produce,” Ward said. “It was a logical extension to do this and put it at that facility at the fairgrounds. All the stars aligned.”

Many of the elements will be the same. Vendors from the region and several states will be selling comic books, vintage toys, art and a wide variety of goods to appeal to collectors and pop culture fans, and Ward said all of the vendor tables are sold out.

The show also will feature celebrity guests from the world of comics and films. Returning will be Jim Steranko, who worked on such iconic comics characters as Nick Fury, Captain America and X-Men, and did concept paintings that helped shape the look of Indiana Jones in “Raiders of the Lost Ark.” The Butler Institute of American Art in Youngstown displayed his painting in 2022.

Other guests include animator / director Tom Cook, who work on “He-Man,” “Masters of the Universe,” “Ghostbusters” and other animated series; Daniel Logan, who played Young Boba Fett in “Star Wars: Episode II — Attack of the Clones,” and Debbe Dunning, best known for playing Heidi the “Tool Time Girl” on the long-running sitcom “Home Improvement.”

Ward also added three professional wrestlers to this year’s event — Sid Vicious, who was a WWF and WCW champion in his career; Christy Hemme, a former professional wrestler and ring announcer who also appeared in music videos for acts ranging from Blink-182 to Trace Adkins; and Debra Marshall, who wrestled as Queen Debra with the WCW and as Debra with the WWF.

“Wrestling is just always hot and always a draw,” Ward said. “We bring in wrestling talent for the toy show, and it just made sense to add a wrestler or two to keep that fan base happy and coming to the show.

Ward said he tried to book wrestlers who haven’t appeared at similar events in the region.

“Sid Vicious hasn’t been around here and very rarely does appearances,” Ward said. “It worked out and he agreed to come, and that should be huge for the show.”

A cosplay contest and costumed Spider-Man and Bumblebee (from “Transformers”) characters also will be part of the festivities.

Ward doesn’t have an attendance goal in mind, but he would like to at least match the 5,000 to 6,000 people who turned out for the last Youngstown Comic Con. He is confident enough in the event’s potential, that there could be even more cons in the future.

“We’re looking at doing it twice a year as early as 2024.”

If you go …

WHAT: Youngstown Comic Con

WHEN: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday

WHERE: Canfield Fairgrounds Events Center, 7265 Columbiana Canfield Road, Canfield.

HOW MUCH: $15 each day or $25 for weekend pass with children ages 6 and younger admitted free.