Brandon Jones and his sister, shanea Mercer, of Newport News gaze at action figures saturday at Wizard World Comic Con Richmond. the multi-genre entertainment and comic convention attracted elaborately costumed fans and others to the three-day event at the Greater Richmond Convention Center in Downtown. several celebrities also participated.

Comic Con in Richmond is out of this world - Fans donned creative costumes to attend Wizard World Comic Con Richmond last weekend at the Greater Richmond Convention Center, where celebrities shared their reflections on playing action figures in the movies and on TV. They included TV star J. August Richards, who plays the character Deathlok in “Marvel’s Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D” on ABC,

Comic Con in Richmond is out of this world- Star Trek icon William Shatner, aka Capt. James T. Kirk. Joining in the fun.

Comic Con in Richmond is out of this world- Vincent Finley of Winchester, aka the ghoulish comic book character “Lobo,”

Comic Con in Richmond is out of this world- Lynne Finley, also of Winchester, dressed as a female version of action hero “Thor”

Comic Con in Richmond is out of this world- Colorfully attired Cheyenne Goodman of Chester.

Plaza deconstructed- Heavy equipment is being used to prepare Kanawha Plaza in Downtown for a $7.78 million facelift. Improvements are to include new landscaping and lighting, fountain improvements and other changes to make it more appealing. The city has set aside $1.78 million to revitalize the park, including removing a pedestrian bridge across Canal Street. The city is counting on promised donations from nearby corporations and businesses that are expected to funnel $6 million through the city’s charity arm, the Enrichmond Foundation. The foundation is then to provide materials, construction and other services to rebuild the park as a gift to the city. So far, only a fraction of the private money has been pledged or collected, according to city officials. The park has fallen on hard times. Once best known as the home of a summer concert series, the park next to the Downtown Expressway attracted few visitors and had become a defacto shelter for the homeless. Location: Byrd, Canal, 7th and 9th streets.

Food, fun and games for National Night Out- Hundreds of people gathered for food, fun and games at the National Night Out event Tuesday night at the Southside Community Center and Sports Complex, 6255 Old Warwick Road. It was one of dozens of events throughout Metro Richmond and across the nation held during the annual August event, which is designed to strengthen ties between citizens and law enforcement. Ayah Yates, 4, shows her delight as she interacts with Care Bear.

Food, fun and games for National Night Out- City Council President Michelle R. Mosby, 9th District, helps distribute backpacks filled with school supplies to audience members.

Food, fun and games for National Night Out- Children learn how to perform CPR as the song “Stayin’ Alive” from the motion picture “Saturday Night Fever” plays in the background.

Zinnia in Church Hill

Music, food and fun - Festivalgoers perform a line dance Saturday at the 7th Annual Jazz & Food Festival at St. Elizabeth Catholic Church in Highland Park.

Music, food and fun - Curvey Reid with Curv Appeal playsthe vibraphone. The event blends food and traditional and contemporary jazz with raffles, games and other activities.