RALEIGH, N.C. — It is not only the turn of the new year that is animating people about new hopes and dreams. 

The minds behind GalaxyCon are bringing a new event to Raleigh: Animate!

The three-day event kicked off at the Raleigh Convention Center on Friday.

The event features voice actors, professional creators, gaming, costume contests, panels and more.

Whether it’s your favorite cartoon or anime, or you love cosplay, there is something for almost everyone at the event.

“(It) is a really big welcoming party, where everyone is super-excited about what they are passionate about and want to share it with everyone here,” Siena Fallon said.

Before fandom ensued, preparations had to be complete. Fallon was one of several exhibitors making sure their table was good to go as the crowds anxiously waited to walk into the main floor of the event.

Fallon, 27, is the chief operating officer and co-partner with Ultimate Comics.

“I just grew up reading this,” Fallon said as she pointed to a manga book, a style of comic or graphic novel that originated in Japan. “The cool thing about comics and manga is there is no one type of story.”

The following for such conventions has grown steadily in recent years in Raleigh. Visit Raleigh, a promoter of events, reported the main summertime GalaxyCon raked in almost $9 million in economic revenue to the city.

The convention center has become a real-life home for a fantasy world experience.

“It’s all ages. You have families with little kids dressed up,” Fallon said.

This embrace of nerd culture represents a shift into pop culture as well.

Carmen Errato, a floor manager at Animazed in Raleigh, helped set up a booth before the event.

Errato, 23, hoped the newest endeavor catches fire and draws colorful characters to the main store.

“It is kind of nervous excitement, but overall it will work out,” Errato said.

A three-day VIP pass costs $275. To find more information about pricing, click here.