KANSAS CITY, Mo. — This weekend’s local entertainment will consist of basketball and….pop culture?

The Big 12 Championship isn’t the only event taking place in downtown Kansas City this weekend!

“I did notice they have a Big 12 next door, in fact that’s one of the reasons I’m not staying at the Marriott this weekend,” said James Cucchiara, a vendor at Planet Comicon, the other big event taking place this weekend.

For some people, basketball just isn’t their thing.

“I don’t think it will impact business at all, in fact, if anything it will bring more people to downtown,” Cucchiara added, “If anything it will help the awareness of this type of event grow, and maybe next year people will come down just for our event.”

There are thousands of people flocking to Kansas City this weekend for the Big 12 Championship and Planet Comicon.

“We are estimating an economic impact of more than $13 million,” said city spokesman Chris Hernandez. He said this is exactly how they envisioned the city when they started redeveloping downtown.

“A vibrant, fun weekend, lots of different activities going on all at the same time,” said Hernandez.

Vendors spent Thursday setting up for Planet Comicon, which is the largest pop culture and comic book event in the Kansas City area.

“There’s a very large comic book fandom community in this area,” said Christopher Jackson, the owner of Planet Comicon. He says they’re expecting 25,000 to 30,000 people besides those coming in town for the Big 12 Championship.

“Well there’s hopefully some synergy, I’m hoping a lot of Big 12 fans will be Comicon fans,” Jackson said.

“I’ll take the free ride for extra eyeballs, you know?” added Cucchiara.

Whichever activity visitors are here for, one thing is for sure, it’s going to be a busy weekend!

“There’s just a lot of activity, and this is only Thursday! We’re just building to the big event,” said Hernandez.

For more information about Planet Comicon, click on this link.