Sacramento Comic, Toy, and Anime Show, better known as Sac-Con, is slated to return for their winter event on Dec. 14 at the Scottish Rite Center.

The convention is held two to three times per year at the cultural center, and features a medium-sized gathering of independent collectibles sellers and events for visitors to explore and participate in.

“I’ve been to a few previous ones,” said junior computer science major Matthew Park, who is planning on going to the upcoming Sac-Con. “I don’t usually buy anything, but I really like being able to talk to all the people and look at the collectibles. The cosplayers are cool too.”

Like previous years, collectibles and other unique items will be available for purchase from a variety of vendors. In addition, several celebrities within the comic and toy industry are planned to attend.

One of the big-name talents expected for this event is Rikki Simons, an artist, writer and voice actor within the field.

Simons is arguably most well-known as the voice of Gir, a slightly-deranged robot companion from the Nickelodeon cartoon “Invader Zim”. The show ran from 2001 to 2006 and has amassed a large cult following.

“I used to watch [“Invader Zim”] all the time when I was in middle school,” said senior major Janice Malone, who is hoping to attend Sac-Con in order to meet Simons. “Looking back, it was a very strange show for a kid to watch but I absolutely loved it. I still have a plushie Gir that my friend gave me as a birthday present!”

In addition to Simons, attendees also will have the chance to meet with voice actor and promotional voice Dave Fennoy, comic book artists and writers Liam Sharp and Kelley Jones, and many other prominent names within the industry.

Besides the special guests, the convention will also hold a variety of other events.

Sac-Con organizers are planning a raffle with various prizes available for grabs, of which the profits will be donated to various local school programs. The convention’s usual costume contest will also return this year, open to all ages and skill levels.

While Sac-Con is generally smaller than the annual Sac-Anime Convention, which is held at the Sacramento Convention Center, several previous attendees said that they prefer the smaller event because the crowd is more manageable.

“I honestly love going to Sac-Con and Sac-Anime,” said senior communication studies major Chelsea King. “But Sac-Con is usually a bit more calm, and you get more of a chance to talk to people than you do at Sac-Anime.”

King said that she is particularly looking forward to this event because she sees it as break for after finals and between work.

Pre-registration for the event is available on the Sac-Con website for $6, and will stay open until Dec. 15.