East End Houston hosts first Comic Fan Festival
HOUSTON, Texas (KTRK) -- There's a shift happening in the East End of Houston.
The area hosted it's first East End Comic Fan Festival, March 24 at 2800 Navigation Blvd.
This big event is a first for an area many typically wouldn't visit.
Julian Garcia grew up in the East End, but he admits the area was like a forgotten part of town.
"I've had friends when I was younger I would say come by my house and they would say, 'Are we going to be okay? Are we gonna be safe?'" Garcia said.
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Now what was once viewed as a ghost town in the shadow of downtown Houston is quickly turning around.
Buildings covered in graffiti have been brought to life with colorful murals made by people who grew up and went to school nearby.
Plus, new businesses are opening up that once were home to abandoned eyesores in the community. The East End also recently hosted festivities for the Super Bowl with entertainers and street food.
Garcia added, "You have this influx of new people wanting to discover the culture of the East End, the Hispanic culture, the deep roots -- not only Hispanic, but Chinese, German, Italian."
The event is yet another example of new life infused into the streets of the East End.
Volunteers are set up for the first Comic Fan Festival that included live art shows, local food trucks and, of course, a big cosplay contest.
Roy Rodriguez, manager of the East End Farmers Market, is hopeful the Fan Festival will be an annual event.
"I would describe it as an area that had been forgotten for a time and one that has so much history that should never be forgotten," Rodriguez said.
