Story and images provided by Stillwater Public Library
LexiCon, the Stillwater Public Library’s annual mini comic convention, a festival for fans of comic books, science fiction, gaming, anime, and all sorts of pop culture, takes place Saturday, Aug. 25, from 10 a.m.-5 p.m. The organizers have expanded LexiCon with several new activities and larger facilities.
“As we have more and more attendees at LexiCon, we have outgrown the space at the library,” said Paula Long, librarian and event coordinator. “We are excited to be partnering with our friends at Prairie Arts Center and Stillwater Community Center to provide an even bigger LexiCon experience stretching all the way down the Duck Street section of the Cultural Corridor.”
Last year, over one thousand pop culture fans attended the free convention.
“Cons have become a big cultural phenomenon in the past several years,” said Long. “From the largest event in the United States, the San Diego Comic Con which draws in excess of 100,000 people over a 3 day weekend, to small events across all 50 states, comic cons have become an opportunity for fans around the country to let their geek flags fly.”
Stillwater Public Library has been hosting LexiCon since 2015. Because of the increased interest and growth of the event, a group of local comic con fans were enlisted to help plan the activities for this year.
“Having the assistance, expertise and guidance of the new members has made planning the event much easier” said Long, “but more importantly, it has also allowed us to offer many more activities and panels than we otherwise might have.”
As in past years, LexiCon 2018 features artists, comic and pop culture merchants, panel discussions, crafting for children, tabletop gaming, photo opportunities with fan favorite characters, cosplay contests and demonstrations. Additions this year include an entire room devoted to video gaming, a Super Smash Bros. tournament, more than double the number of panels, an anime screening room, superhero storytime, and the return of food trucks.
Classes and panel discussions include one on the exciting new video games soon to be released, the accuracy of science in science fiction films, paranormal Oklahoma, history of comics, Disney characters, cosplaying, weaponry, Marvel character Q & A and more. The panels will run throughout the day so attendees will have a chance to learn about and discuss several different topics across the event.
Most planned activities will be paused so that participants can attend the highlight event of LexiCon, the cosplay contests for children, teens, and adults. Participants who dress in character will be eligible to enter the contest and have a chance to win a ticket package to this year’s Wizard World comic con in Tulsa as well as other prizes.
Not entering the cosplay contest, but want a chance to win tickets? Just make sure to enter the drawing at each of the three LexiCon venues to get a chance to win an additional Wizard World ticket package being given away.
In addition, the library fairy will be visiting all of the buildings looking for people with library cards. Those with cards may be gifted with a small prize, so make sure to have a Stillwater Public Library card while attending.
Long also wants to remind everyone to consider the weather before coming out.
“All signs point to it being a hot day,” said Long. “Attendees should dress in cool clothing and wear sunscreen for the walk between the buildings. We are very fortunate to be partnering with Stillwater Medical Center which will be hosting an outdoor zombie quarantine themed first aid hut. Water will be available at the hut and nurses will be on hand to watch for heat related illness.”
LexiCon is free, open to the public and sponsored by Friends of the Library. However, attendees are encouraged to bring money if they want to make purchases from merchants, artists, and food trucks. LexiCon t-shirts will be on sale at the Prairie Arts Centers where shoppers can screen-print their own shirts for $10 for children and $12 for adults.
For more information, visit http://library.stillwater.org/lexicon.php or contact the library Help Desk at 405.372.3633 x8106 or [email protected]. Follow LexiCon at https://www.facebook.com/LexiConSPL to get the latest updates and news.
The Stillwater Public Library is located at 1107 S. Duck St. (the corner of Duck and 12th Ave.). Visit the library online at http://library.stillwater.org.
