The 5th Annual CP Nassau Sci-Fi Mini-Con brought almost a thousand fans to Levittown Hall in Hicksville on July 18th and raised just over $5,000 for the Cerebral Palsy Association of Nassau County, organizers said.
Not bad for a free, five-hour convention that had to battle a soggy opening act.
The event ran from noon to 5 p.m. and featured celebrity guests, Star Wars costuming groups, cosplayers, vendors, raffles, gaming, photo opportunities and live entertainment. Heavy rain between about 12:30 and 2:30pm slowed the early crowd, but once the weather cleared, the venue filled up and stayed busy through the afternoon, according to CP Nassau.
This year’s total came in below last year’s record fundraiser, which raised just over $7,500, but organizers said the turnout and support were still impressive given the weather challenges.
The Mini-Con once again leaned into the fan-powered magic that makes it a local geek-culture favorite. Star Wars costuming groups included the 501st Legion’s Empire City Garrison, the Rebel Legion’s Echo Base, Saber Guild’s Endor Temple and the Droid Builders.
The guest lineup had returning star Catherine Mary Stewart, Joe Zaso, Elizabeth Shepherd, Sasha Graham, writer John Peel, Brimstone, Gina Falke, writer Michael Jan Friedman, magician Robin Channing, and cosplayers Jacobella Luongo and mcheretic and more.
The day also included a TARDIS photo-op in the lobby and a Tatooine set on the main stage, giving fans a few extra portals into sci-fi fun.
Vendors included Joebabbas Palace, The Busy & The Tired, SkullMan Prints and Norse Legion, offering collectibles, prints, merchandise and other fan-friendly finds. Jovia returned as headline sponsor, while Community Care RX joined this year to help offset event costs. Monster Energy also provided complimentary drinks to attendees.
Because admission was free, money raised came from on-site activities, raffles, sales and donations tied to the event. CP Nassau also held an online raffle for a hard-to-find 7-foot animated Darth Vader decoration sold by Home Depot. That raffle alone raised more than $500, according to organizers.
Many guests and vendors also donated a portion of their sales to CP Nassau.
The day opened with an auction featuring 30 collectible items, followed by a combined panel with members of the Empire City Garrison, Rebel Legion and Saber Guild. A Q&A with several featured guests followed, and the event also included a celebration of actress Elizabeth Shepherd’s 90th birthday.
Later in the afternoon, Sasha Graham and Catherine Mary Stewart presented highlights from Sasha’s Ghost Stories and Tarot show, including audience participation. Saber Guild then took the stage for a lightsaber performance and interactive Jedi training for children. The convention closed with a performance by magician and mentalist Robin Channing.
Next, CP Nassau will host its “Cars for a Cause” event on Aug. 22, 2026, from 10 am – 3 pm at the Cradle of Aviation Museum. Car registration is $20 in advance, and admission for spectators is free.
The 501st Legion’s Empire City Garrison will also host TrooperCon, a free event, on Sept. 13, 2026, from noon to 7 p.m. at Levittown Hall.
Photos: Courtesy of CP Nassau
