Get a peek under the helmet on Sunday, September 13th when Troopercon returns to Levittown Hall at 201 Levittown Pkwy in Hicksville.
Justin Weiss, Commanding Officer of the Empire City garrison of the 501st Legion, the organization that’s running the Star Wars-themed con, said last year that the feedback on the show last December was great, prompting their return.
“It was our first time out running this kind of event and we all had a great time,” said Weiss to SciFiSland.com last year, “Although small, there was a nice steady flow of people throughout the day. All the feedback we have gotten was positive.”
Weiss is also known to don his full-sized Wampa cosplay, a huge hit whenever the Hoth monster appears. We shall see if the Wampa returns to Levittown Hall as well.
As with the Empire, there’s always an agenda, and for the 501st Legion, the show offers an opportunity for recruitment. Attendees meet members of the world’s largest Star Wars costuming group, learn how screen-accurate armor is built and worn, and explore the Legion’s charitable work in local communities.
Admission to TrooperCon is free, with plenty packed into the seven-hour event. Attendees can meet members of the 501st Legion, Echo Base Rebel Legion, Saber Guild’s Endor Temple and the Mando Mercs Costume Club, while taking part in Jedi training, panels and a costume runway. There will also be photo ops with themed sets and a Speeder Bike, plus Blast-A-Trooper and raffle prizes benefiting Cohen Children’s Medical Center.
While Star Wars cons offer only a one-franchise focus, other single-fandom conventions have also found success on Long Island, including Trek Long Island, a celebration of Star Trek, and L.I. Who, which ran for more than a decade before going on hiatus this year. Organizers of L.I. Who cited several factors behind that decision, including the current uncertainty surrounding Doctor Who itself and broader economic pressures. Still, Star Wars is arguably one of the most popular science-fiction phenomena in the world, with a fan base that spans generations, from Boomers to Gen Alpha. The potential for growth is a Force to be reckoned with.
The event will also feature appearances by sister organizations, including Rebel Legion and Saber Guild, along with hands-on activities and, as Weiss promised, bigger and better. Well, everything. Stormtroopers are known to miss their mark, but if this year’s Troopercon is anything like the last one, it’s going to stay on target!
Troopercon: Where: Levittown Hall, 201 Levittown Pkwy., Hicksville. When: September 13, 2026, from noon to 7 p.m.
