DCDL to host Great GeekFest

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The Delaware County District Library’s third annual Great GeekFest will be held from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 20.

Great GeekFest Coordinator Mandy Henning said Monday that when the event started three years ago at Orange Library, 1,700 people attended. Henning said last year the event was moved to the Delaware branch of the library, 84 E. Winter St., to include more local businesses, and the event grew to 2,500 people.

This year, with the addition of new events and an arcade, Henning is hoping for 3,000 attendees.

“I’m really excited for this year,” she said.

Henning said this year’s keynote speaker will be Grant Wilson, a paranormal investigator best known for his work on the cable show “Ghost Hunters.”

“Grant has been wonderful,” Henning said. “I watched a ton of Ghost Hunters, and he’s been really fun to work with.”

Wilson will give a presentation at 1 p.m. on the main stage at the library. The main stage will also have a show by nationally known illusionists, Reed and Ashton Masterson at 11 a.m.

At 3 p.m., the the Cosplay competition will take place. Attendees must check in at the main stage by 2 p.m. and the line up will begin at 2:45 p.m. Henning said there are a variety of prizes for different age groups in the competition.

Henning added she’s also very excited to bring arcade games to the event this year, and the GeekFest will have a dedicated arcade room with hit arcade games “Dance Dance Revolution,” “Crazy Taxi” and “Ms. Pacman.”

Henning said this year, the screening room has been moved upstairs where there is a better screen.

Though the Great Geekfest has only been running for three years, Henning said it’s become one of her favorite things to work on.

“I called it my ‘nerdy gift to Delaware,’ and I stand by that,” she said. “Comic-cons are so expensive, so I’m happy to do something at a zero dollar price point. It’s awesome.”

Henning said she appreciates the support from local businesses, which have themed items for sale or events going on during the Great Geekfest. She added that attendees can park in the city lot during the event and can park behind the library.

Henning said she is excited for the 2 p.m. panel “Heroes by the Pint vs. Beer Mongers,” which is a mash-up of two local podcasts about nerdy/geeky drinks. There will also be a panel titled “Advanced Cosplay” at 10 a.m.; “Intro to Comic Collecting” at 11 a.m., “Anime Under the Radar” at noon, and a drawing class with artist Bryan Moss at 3 p.m.

Just like last year, there will be a number of photo ops during GeekFest, including Star Wars characters at 10 a.m., Wonder Woman at noon, Black Panther and Captain America at 2 p.m., and Elsa and Tiana at 3 p.m.

Henning added the Dungeons and Dragons games where so popular last year that the library has had to hire a second person to run games for attendees. The sessions start at 10 a.m., 11 a.m., 12 p.m., 1:30 p.m., 2:30 p.m. and 3:30 p.m.

More details are available on the library’s website at www.delawarelibrary.org/ggf.

Cinderella speaks to children during the second annual Great GeekFest in 2017. The third annual Great GeekFest will be held Saturday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. More details about the event can be found on the library’s website.
http://www.delgazette.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/40/2018/10/web1_Geekfest.jpgCinderella speaks to children during the second annual Great GeekFest in 2017. The third annual Great GeekFest will be held Saturday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. More details about the event can be found on the library’s website. Courtesy photo | Delaware County District Library

By Glenn Battishill

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Glenn Battishill can be reached at 740-413-0903 or on Twitter @BattishillDG.

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