By Gary Scott
Staff Writer
PASADENA -- Almost two years after ``Xena: Warrior Princess,'' and loyal companion Gabrielle appeared in their final television
adventure, fans continue to flock by the thousands to the annual Xena convention at the Pasadena Conference Center.
An estimated 5,000 people are expected to attend the three-day event, which runs through today. In addition to tables full of
merchandise ? T-shirts, scripts and autographed pictures ? fans are given the chance to mingle with former cast members.
Mostly young and middle-age women, the fans are as devoted to the female warriors as ``Star Trek'' devotees are to Spock and
Capt. Kirk. A one-day ticket is $61, and many said they were planning to stay the duration.
``When I come home from work, it's good to watch the show and escape,'' said Sabine Mitchell, 41, of the San Francisco Bay
Area. She said she has Xena artifacts everywhere, from her mousepad at work to her checkbook, and she watches tapes of the
show every night after work.
Her friend, Rose Minasi, credits Xena with making her more interested in history. Minasi said she comes to the conventions
because ``you get to see the actors as real people.'' Stephanie McCarren, a 19-year-old from Fullerton, said she has been
attending Xena conventions for three years with friend Heather Beach, 18, of Tucson, Ariz. Their favorite character is Callisto,
played by Hudson Leick.
``We hang out and watch the stars,'' said McCarren. ``This will be my fifth time seeing Hudson ... She knows my name.''
Between talks by former cast members, fans watched clips and spoofs of the show, including a silent movie that put Xena and
Gabrielle in a bathtub together ? a wink to the homosexual undertones in the show.
The fantasy atmosphere was heightened by Renaissance festival performers, The Fireblood Knights, who wear period costumes
and sell a variety of swords and weaponry associated with medieval times.
The convention's highlight was a live chat Saturday evening with Lucy Lawless, the statuesque Australian who played Xena, and
Renee O'Connor, who played Gabrielle.
At various times Saturday, a short man wearing an ``I Love Xena'' T-shirt dueled with a sword carrying, armor-plated dame and
chased two young Xena fans toward the convention doors. It was all done for comedian Jimmy Kimmel's new late-night talk
show.
