Inside the First-Ever Hello Kitty Convention

1 minute read

Embrace your inner child, hug the Hello Kitty plush on your bed, and check out photos from the first-ever Hello Kitty Convention at The Geffen Contemporary at the Museum of Contemporary Art (MOCA) in Los Angeles (Oct. 30 to Nov. 2). The highly anticipated event is pegged to the character’s 40th anniversary—her birthday is November 1!—and an exhibit on Hello Kitty at the Japanese American National Museum (JANM), on display through April 26, 2015.

MORE: Hello Kitty Exhibit to Open in L.A.

WATCH: Avril Lavigne Tear Up Tokyo for “Hello Kitty” Video

MORE: Apparently Hello Kitty is a Human Girl, Not a Cat

Keith Nunez, Carolina Nunez
Keith Nunez, left, takes pictures of his wife, Carolina at Hello Kitty Con on Oct. 30, 2014, in Los Angeles. Jae C. Hong—AP
Carolyn Molina
Carolyn Molina, of Riverside, Calif., laughs while talking to a reporter at the Hello Kitty Con held at the Geffen Contemporary at MOCA Thursday on Oct. 30, 2014, in Los Angeles. Jae C. Hong—AP
Brandee Amore
Wearing a Hello Kitty costume, Brandee Amore, center, of Glendale, Calif., walks across the street before the start of Hello Kitty Con on Oct. 30, 2014, in Los Angeles.Jae C. Hong—AP
Hello Kitty Con
Hello Kitty fans wait in line for Hello Kitty Con on Oct. 30, 2014, in Los Angeles.Jae C. Hong—AP
Hello Kitty Con
A woman with a Hello Kitty tattoo waits in line to attend Hello Kitty Con on Oct. 30, 2014, in Los Angeles.Jae C. Hong—AP
U.S.-LOS ANGELES-HELLO KITTY-CONVENTION
A fan at Hello Kitty Con on Oct. 30, 2014, in Los Angeles. Zhao Hanrong—Xinhua/Sipa USA
Hello Kitty Con
A man dresses as Bad Badtz-Maru, a Sanrio character, pauses for photos at Hello Kitty Con on Oct. 30, 2014, in Los Angeles.Jae C. Hong—AP
Hello Kitty Con 2014 Opening Night Party Co-hosted By Target
Participants of Hello Kitty Con during its opening night on Oct. 29, 2014 in Los Angeles, California. Stefanie Keenan—Getty Images

More Must-Reads from TIME

Contact us at letters@time.com