BOSTON, April 19 (UPI) -- The producers of Boston Comic-Con asked costumed customers to leave their backpacks and prop weapons at home when the show opens Saturday.
Comic-Con will open as scheduled at the John B. Hynes Veterans Memorial Convention Center but with increased security in the wake of the bomb blasts that occurred this week at the Boston Marathon finish line a short distance away.
"Out of respect for the tragic events that have recently transpired, we are asking those attendees dressing in costume not to bring any real or mock weapons to the show," said a notice posted on the event website.
The notice also advised that visitors would face a bag check at the entrance to the convention center and urged them only to bring backpacks and other bags "if absolutely necessary."
The Massachusetts Convention Center Authority said the set-up process for Boston Comic-Con was under way Friday with workers who were already in the building. Workers and exhibitors who planned to arrive later in the day were told to stand by for further developments as the search from the remaining suspect continued.
