The iconic series celebrates a quarter century of Bikini Bottom hijinks with a larger-than-life tribute, panels, daily booth activities and outdoor activations; the San Diego event runs July 25-28.
Nickelodeon heads to Comic-Con International: San Diego 2024 celebrating 25 years of SpongeBob SquarePants with an immersive larger-than-life tribute to the original 1999 pilot episode, “I’m ready. I’m ready. I’m ready!” Its 1,800 square-foot booth (#4113) on the convention center floor will re-create and transport fans into the “Help Wanted” episode with 3D animation, augmented reality (AR), and replicas of SpongeBob’s pineapple home, The Krusty Krab and the Barg’N-Mart.
Each day of the show, Nickelodeon’s booth will feature a slow-motion video opportunity inside SpongeBob’s 20-foot-tall pineapple home, where attendees will virtually pump weights to prepare for the big job interview; a photo opportunity on The Krusty Krab Mast; an interactive game inside The Krusty Krab, where fans can virtually feed hungry anchovies in a race against the clock; a Barg’N-Mart retail area, where attendees can purchase a variety of exclusive Nick gear and one-of-a-kind collectibles; costumed character appearances; and autograph signings with the cast and producers of SpongeBob SquarePants, and hosts of Avatar: Braving the Elements podcast.
Nickelodeon will present two panels:
- “Celebrating 25 Years of Nickelodeon’s SpongeBob SquarePants,” taking fans to Bikini Bottom and beyond.
- “Avatar: Braving the Elements – Live! with Janet Varney & Dante Basco,” invites attendees to jump into the Avatarverse.
Here’s a rundown of panels, booth activities, and outdoor activations:
Panels:
Avatar: Braving the Elements – Live! with Janet Varney & Dante Basco
Thursday, 7/25/24, 10:30 a.m. - 11:30 a.m., Room: 6BCF
Jump into the amazing world of Avatar with Janet Varney (the voice of “Korra”) and Dante Basco (the voice of “Prince Zuko”), co-hosts of Nickelodeon’s award-winning, official companion podcast - Avatar: Braving the Elements. Revisit iconic scenes from the animated series with special guests: Greg Baldwin (voice of “Uncle Iroh”), Michaela Jill Murphy (voice of the original “Toph”), and Cara O’Neil (Dark Horse Comics). Also, learn about the latest and greatest happenings in the Avatarverse and challenge your super-fan trivia skills.
Celebrating 25 Years of Nickelodeon’s SpongeBob SquarePants
Thursday, 7/25/24, 1:00 p.m. - 2:00 p.m., Room: Hall H
Nickelodeon celebrates SpongeBob SquarePants’ landmark 25th anniversary taking fans down to Bikini Bottom and beyond for a special look at its iconic origins. Experience a live cast table read of “Help Wanted,” exclusive content, and the nautical nonsense to come. Join the legendary voice cast Tom Kenny (SpongeBob); Bill Fagerbakke (Patrick); Carolyn Lawrence (Sandy); Rodger Bumpass (Squidward); Clancy Brown (Mr. Krabs); and Mr. Lawrence (Plankton), along with executive producers Marc Ceccarelli and Vincent Waller and special guests celebrate the popular characters and beloved animated series. Moderated by Good Burgers’ Ed (Kel Mitchell).
Daily Booth Activity
SpongeBob’s Interview Prep Experience
Help wanted! Step inside SpongeBob's pineapple home to prepare for the big job interview at The Krusty Krab. Fans will complete exercises in SpongeBob’s weight room to ensure they are in top fry cook shape. Once finished, guests can scan their personal QR code to collect their shareable video files on their devices.
The Krusty Krab Mast Photo Moment
Ascend from SpongeBob's pineapple and enter the vibrant world of The Krusty Krab but watch out for the anchovies! Snap a photo by the iconic Krusty Krab mast just like Mr. Krabs and Squidward in the pilot episode.
SpongeBob’s Hungry Anchovy Frenzy
Grab a spatula and step up to the virtual grill to feed those hungry, hungry anchovies! In this one-of-a-kind digital whack-a-mole game, players have one minute to fling out as many virtual Krabby Patties as possible to feed the hungry lunch crowd. It’s a mad dash to the end of the shift, where players can earn their rightful spot as The Krusty Krab’s newest and greatest fry cook!
- Customized T-Shirt and Flip-Flop Station: Fans can purchase a t-shirt and flip-flops from the retail shop and customize it on the spot with characters and art from their choice of 10 fan-favorite Nick shows: Avatar: The Last Airbender, The Legend of Korra, Hey Arnold!, The Wild Thornberrys, Tales of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, SpongeBob SquarePants, Rugrats, Danny Phantom, The Fairly OddParents, and Invader Zim.
- Autograph Signings: Signing opportunities with voice talent and producers of SpongeBob SquarePants, and Janet Varney and Dante Basco of Avatar: Braving the Elements.
- Costumed Character Appearances: SpongeBob SquarePants and Patrick Star will make appearances at Nick’s booth at select times during the convention.
- Retail: Attendees can purchase Comic-Con exclusive figures and collectibles, t-shirts, and pins.
- Giveaways: Special giveaways and posters will be handed out throughout the convention.
Outdoor Activations
Fountain of Positivity:
Fans can beat the San Diego heat at Paramount+ and Nickelodeon’s “SpongeBob Fountain of Positivity.” Standing at 12 ft. tall and 16 ft. wide, this one-of-a-kind fountain streams water from SpongeBob’s pores, paying homage to the tide pool that inspired Stephen Hillenburg to create SpongeBob SquarePants. Comic-Con goers can refill their water bottles at filtered water stations built into the experience and snap a picture. Hours of operation: Thursday, July 25 through Saturday, July 27 from 9:30 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. and Sunday from 11:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Location: Omni Hotel at 675 L St, San Diego, CA 92101.
Hard Rock Hotel San Diego Takeover:
Paramount+ and Nickelodeon are taking over Hard Rock Hotel San Diego with activations that ode to SpongeBob’s legendary cultural impact. Classic SpongeBob memes that pay tribute to the San Diego Comic-Con experience will cover the hotel’s exterior, with the interior hotel lobby transformed into a modern art mecca with a Bikini Bottom bent. This Instagram-able installation will feature the work of artists from around the world inspired by SpongeBob’s boundless positivity. The hotel’s Maryjane's Diner will also celebrate SpongeBob's anniversary with custom decor and comedic Easter eggs throughout the experience.
Since its July 17, 1999, launch, SpongeBob SquarePants has been one of the most-watched animated series and generated a universe of beloved characters, pop culture catchphrases and memes, theatrical releases, consumer products, a Tony award-winning Broadway musical, and a global fan base. The show is one of the most widely distributed properties in Paramount history, seen in more than 180 markets, translated into 30+ languages, and averaging more than 90 million total viewers every quarter. Stephen Hillenburg created SpongeBob SquarePants and Nickelodeon in Burbank, California produces it. The character-driven cartoon chronicles the nautical and sometimes nonsensical adventures of SpongeBob, an incurable optimist and earnest sea sponge, and his undersea friends.
Source: Nickelodeon
Debbie Diamond Sarto is news editor at Animation World Network.
