ROANOKE, Va. – One Roanoke event is now off the books for 2021. On Monday, Big Lick Entertainment announced that February’s Big Lick Comic Con is canceled. While February’s event is canceled, the company is still planning to have one August 7-8. Things are going to be better than they’ve ever been,” said Big Lick Entertainment’s JD Sutphin. Last month, Big Lick Comic-Con happened at the Berglund Center with masks and social distancing.

The Big Lick Comic-Con attracted thousands of fans on both Saturday and Sunday. Organizer JD Sutphin said he’s grateful the convention could happen at all, because of COVID-19 restrictions. “I asked myself many times: ‘What was I willing to lose just to be able to get back out and have some fun for the weekend?’” Sutphin said. Comic-Con staff constantly sanitized the event space, all of the bathroom utilities did not require touching the appliances and a temperature check was mandatory. "That’s for everyone: staff, exhibitors and celebrity guests.”Sutphin said he’s pleased the convention could proceed because many of the vendors rely on its income.