FREDERICTON -- Nearly 2,000 like-minded anime lovers converged in Fredericton this weekend for the only anime and gaming convention in the Maritimes.

On Saturday, the Fredericton Convention Centre was packed with creative minds, including some who say they’ve waited all year for this weekend, a time they can truly be themselves.

"It's just all geeky cultures coming together and just accepting each other, no matter what,” said Victoria Whitenect, who dressed up as a character from Gundam Wing.

"I come here because I can express myself, and you can see all the other cool costumes and the art,” said Kristen Adourian, transformed into fairy Mavis Vermillion. “Everyone feels like family because we're all nerds."

Those dressed up represent some of their favourite characters, often painting, sewing and gluing their costumes together on their own.

This year marks the fourth Animaritime Convention to come to Fredericton, but organizers say the convention itself has been alive and growing for the past 12 years.

The event is completely volunteer-run.

"For us, it's magical,” said venue coordinator Eileen MacDonald. “It's a lot of hard work. We love what we do. We love seeing the joy in people's faces, their wonderment and excitement, and knowing that they feel safe and that they're having fun."

Creating a safe space is important to the organizers of the event, so that every participant can literally become whoever they want to be.

Some, like cosplayer Nathan Deluca, can help others with their transformations.

"I represent myself as a nerd, I guess."

Deluca creates costumes for a living. He fixes, glues and paints the many outfits that come his way.

"Right now, I'm working for the rapper Classified on his newest music video. Three days before filming, I got a call saying 'hey, uh, could you build a costume before Tuesday?' It ended up being a few days of just not really sleeping,” he said.

"It's really fun,” said cosplayer Alora Simon. “You just feel really at home here because everyone else is doing the same thing."

Animaritime 2016 wraps up on Sunday, July 3.

With files from CTV Atlantic’s Laura Brown.