The voice of Squidward, Rodger Bumpass, from the beloved-childhood Nickelodeon show Spongebob Squarepants, is coming to Hot Springs during the fifth annual Spa-Con at Hot Springs Convention Center.

The “multi-genre” pop and comics convention is slated for Sept. 18-20  and will allow Bumpass to interact with attendees in Expo Hall through a question and answer session as the featured celebrity guest this year. 

As a Little Rock-native and Arkansas State University alumnus, Bumpass’s visit is special. He began his acting career in 1977 on the National Lampoon’s That’s Not Funny, That’s Sick roadshow. With other voiceover, film and live production gigs before and after his character on Spongebob Squarepants in 1999, his career credits total over 600, according to his IMDb page. In 2012 he was awarded a Daytime Emmy for Outstanding Performer in an Animated Program.

Bumpass said he has been acting for 45 years and will continue to until he “gets it right,” according to a press release. He said if you pass him in the hallway and ask him to do the voice, say “pretty please” and he will comply for the cash price of $2.75, in true Squidward fashion. 

The convention will host a Puddle Pity Party concert on Friday, Sept. 18 at 7 p.m. in Horner Hall. Seating for the concert will be general admission and $30. Further events and scheduling for Spa-Con V will be released soon. 

Registration for the convention will open all days at 9 a.m. and Expo Hall events begin at 10 a.m. Weekend passes are $25, day passes are $20 and VIP tickets are available for $100. Prices will increase April 15 and again Sept. 1. 

For information regarding events, tickets and more, visit spa-con.org.