More than 300 people redefined what’s cool last month at GeekCon.
The Nanaimo Harbourfront Library hosted its “first annual celebration of geek culture” Aug. 20 and had a lot of fun in the process.
“These kind of events have exploded over the last 10 or 15 years,” said Jonathon Bigelow, program co-organizer and librarian at the Vancouver Island Regional Library, in a press release. “Lots of people are looking for venues where they can celebrate what they’re passionate about. Gaming culture, graphic novels, comic books, cosplay – it’s here.”
GeekCon offered a range of activities in that vein, including a panel of speakers from the gaming industry, a cosplay competition, a Magic: the Gathering tournament, a Minecraft tournament, a drawing demonstration by comic artist Ken Steacy and a visit from the 501st Legion, a Star Wars cosplay charity organization. There was also a discussion group examining J.K. Rowling’s Harry Potter and the Cursed Child play and a book signing with local fantasy author Cynthea Masson.
“There are lots of ways that libraries are being a part of modern events – not just a space for books,” Bigelow said. “It’s a place for people to develop their passions, seek information in different ways and bring people together.”
GeekCon will return to Harbourfront Library next summer.