The Moorestown Library will host its second annual Comic Fest on Saturday, June 21, from 10:30 a.m. to 2 p.m.
To start, there will be a Superhero Story time and Character Visit for children and families from 10:30 to 11:30 a.m. Guests are encouraged to come dressed in their favorite superhero costume, and they will join Wonderous Woman for themed stories and superhero training (games and movement activities). There will also be a meet and greet with photos.
Members of the library’s Anime Club will host a program for patrons to make their own comic book, also from 10:30 to 11:30 a.m. Blank books, stickers and colored pencils will be provided. This program is for ages 8 and up.
Dokudel – anime fan, anime historian and cosplayer – will discuss the history of anime from 1 to 2 p.m. in a talk that is free for teens and adults. With more than 30 years of studying anime fandom, its creators want people to learn and appreciate it as much as they do.
Vendor tables will be open throughout the library for patrons to visit and chat with the event’s participating artists, and this year’s fest will feature returning and new vendors. There will also be trivia, prizes, crafts and cosplay.
“We have the Author Fest, but (this) is something nice to offer that has a different interest group,” explained Caitlin Hawe-Ndrio, head of the library’s adult services, of Comic Fest. “Other community vendors that are different from our regular local authors can come and attend, so it’s nice to expand our audience, but still offer a fest at a large-scale event.
“It’s nice to touch on different points in the community.”
Last year’s Author Fest featured vendors, a series of workshops in the Collab Lab and more. Ashley Hoffman, youth services librarian, shared how it’s always surprising to see the number of authors who live in the area.
“ … Even just getting the authors together is worth it,” she said.
“They were networking a lot which was really nice,” Hawe-Ndrio pointed out. “They had set up contact with each other based on interests or other festivals that they had attended, and it was nice to see that, too.”
This year’s Comic Fest coincides with the library’s summer reading program, which starts on Friday, June 20. Its kickoff, “Color Your World with Books,” with Brian Richards, will include magic, comedy, puppets, juggling and storytelling from 1 to 1:45 p.m.
Comic Fest’s programs are sponsored by the Friends of the Moorestown Library. Patrons can show up at the event any time during its hours. For more information, visit www.moorestownlibrary.org.
“Bring your creativity, wear your costume … We want to see it,” Hawe-Ndrio said.
“Along the range of what we’re offering, there’s a lot of different stuff, something for everyone,” Hoffman added of Comic Fest. “It’s nice to be presented with something different, especially when it’s something creative. It paints a different landscape in the library for the day.”
