NEWPORT NEWS — Calling all fans of comics, sci-fi, anime, fantasy and other genres: come celebrate all fandoms at ‘Fandom Fest’ Saturday (Aug. 25) at the Grissom Library.
This will be Grissom Library’s first ‘Fandom Fest’, a free one-day event to celebrate all ‘fandom’ genres. It will feature movie screenings, activities, panels, trivia and story time for children and adults of all ages, according to the event’s Facebook page.
“We also just got word that members of The 501st Legion, an international Star Wars costuming organization, will also be there to take photos with event attendees,” said Breeane Harris, marketing manager for Newport News Public Library, in an email.
Harris said most of the funding for Fandom Fest comes from Friends of the Newport News Library.
Last year, the Main Street Library hosted Tosho-Con, an anime convention geared toward teens.
Fandom Fest will be more inclusive, said Jennifer Minter, senior informational specialist for Grissom Library.
“We will have activities geared for all ages, some for teen/adults, some for little ones, and some for older children, 8 (years old) and up,” she said.
Minter, who is also in charge of the event said prizes are donations from various vendors who will also be present at the event.
The event is open to all ages, however, some activities do have age restrictions.
The PlayStation 4 VR, a virtual reality headset that lets players be ‘fully immersed’ in the video gaming experience, is for ages 12 and older, and some panels and screenings may have mature themes not suitable for all ages.
Fandom Fest is from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the Grissom Library, 366 Deshazor Drive. The event is free and pre-registration is not required. Participants can register for sessions at the event and cosplay attire is encouraged.
For information, visit the Fandom Fest Facebook page or call the Grissom library: 757-369-3190. You can also follow the Newport News Public Library on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
