The Fairfax Library Foundation held their second annual Library Comic Con on Apr. 14.
The Library Comic Con is an entertainment convention that displays comic books and a wide range of pop culture elements across all genres, including horror, animation, toys, video games, webcomics, collectible card games and fantasy novels.
“It’s a celebration of fantasy, sci-fi, comics, games and all kinds of fun nerdiness,” librarian Krissy Ronan said. “Anybody can attend, it’s free and it’s super fun.”
Just like most comic book conventions, the Library Comic Con featured a large floor space for exhibitors. Vendors included collectibles merchants, cartoonists, painters, comic book dealers and jewelry makers.
“I don’t do a ton of Comic Cons, but this is my second time for this one,” chainmaille jewelry artist Nicole Slazinski said. “Originally, my passion for making jewelry started because I was making dice bags then it sort of exploded into this mini hobby-business.”
The convention also welcomed a keynote speaker, author and illustrator Dana Simpson, in the auditorium from 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Apart from buying and selling items at the event, people could also enjoy things free of charge, such as photo booth pictures with different props and costume pieces.
“A while ago, I saw these gemstones that were on display and they were really interesting,” senior and volunteer Aneesha Naik said.
There was also a video game truck in the front parking lot from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. as well as food trucks that remained throughout the entire convention. The Fairfax Library Foundation organized activities for children, teens and adults in the cafeteria.
The organizers divided the cafeteria into two sections with a room divider. One section hosted a pop-up library where adults and teens could borrow books and graphic novels, and a “batcave”, where cosplayers could get costume help and technology demos. A grown-up storytime narrator read excerpts from books for more mature audiences. The organizers designated the other section as the “Superhero Training Camp”, which focused on kids’ entertainment.
“The kids’ section with the smashing blocks is probably my favorite,” volunteer Megan Hoover said. “I like to see children having a good time.”
The library served as the “Gaming and Chill Zone”. In addition to the games, vendors, artists, cosplay and food trucks, the convention also included workshops in E-100 and F-100 rooms, such as “Comics for Fun and Profit”, “Mario Karting Like a Pro” and “Discworld 101”.
Cosplayers also participated in the cosplay contest in the cafeteria, where atendees received prizes for three categories: “Most Accurate”, “Most Creative” and “Best Character”.
“This is actually my first cosplay,” teen cosplay winner and atendee Mila Vannostrand said. “I’m having a really good time so far.”
Vannostrand cosplayed as Mercy from the 2016 videogame Overwatch.
“I’m really pleased with how my costume turned out,” Vannostrand said.
According to Fairfax Library Foundation representative Shelby Allen, the ever growing number of participants has led to a need for more variety of events and activities. Allen said she is optimistic regarding the future support of the annual event.
“We have more vendors, more programs and activities and it’s very exciting,” Allen said. “At least 300 people said [in advance] they were coming this year so it is a very popular event and it’s growing even more.”
2018-05-16