Sandemonium coming to Sandpoint
Put on the Superman cape or fire up the Batmobile. The Sandpoint community is excited to announce that they will be hosting North Idaho’s first comic-con style event for comic book lovers in the area.
“There aren’t many outlets in the area for people who love gaming, TV shows, movies, comics and all the rest,” Cameron Rasmusson, the Sandpoint Reader Editor, said. “We’re hoping this gives locals a chance to get together with like-minded people of all ages and enjoy their shared interests.”
Spearheaded by the East Bonner County Library District, Sandemonium will be a showcase of local enthusiasm and talent. The event was developed by a team of community members, including Marcy Timblin, the public relations and adult programs specialist for the East Bonner County Library District, Morgan Gariepy, the young adult services librarian, Patricia Walker White, the Panida Theater Executive Director, Andrew Sorg and Rasmusson.
“A dedicated team of community volunteers stepped forward during the planning process to develop panels, workshops and special events to show their support,” Timblin said.
The event is scheduled for Saturday, Aug. 29 with events taking place from 10 a.m. until 5 p.m. at East Bonner County Library District Sandpoint branch.
Sandemonium will be modeled after the Holy Grail for comic book lovers, the San Diego Comic-Con. San Diego Comic-Con is a nonprofit educational corporation dedicated to creating awareness and appreciation for comics and related art forms, through presentations and events that celebrate the historic and ongoing contribution of comics to art and culture.
Sandemonium will feature cosplay contests, video game tournaments, art galleries, vendor booths, workshops and panel discussions.
Cosplay is a performance in which participants wear costumes and fashion accessories to represent a specific character.
“We are going to have workshops on how to create a cosplay on a budget,” Gariepy said.
“Our original idea was to celebrate the superhero themed National Summer Reading Program with a comic-con style event,” Timblin said. “But our community partners very quickly took it to the next level. Our hope is that it will become the next big draw event for our region and for fandom enthusiasts. It is the first event of its kind in the area.”
Timblin said the event is for people of all ages, they just have to have a passion for comics, video games or movies.
“No matter whether you camp out to see the latest Marvel Cinematic Universe film or simply enjoy the world of pop culture, Sandemonium has you covered,” she said. “Attendees are encouraged to suit up as their favorite comic superhero, anime, video game or movie character. There will be prizes ready for the best costumes. The event is for kids, parents and adults. It’s really for anybody that has a passion for comics or sci-fi.”
Timblin said the event was created to give comic book lovers in the area an outlet to discuss their passion for comics, but also to serve as an educational program for children.
“A mix of entertainment and educational content means that attendees are sure to have a good time, while perhaps learning a thing or two in the process,” she said. “The event also coincides with the library’s summer reading program, which will hopefully keep a few kids hitting the books as they prepare to head back to school.”
Gariepy said that Sandemonium will be the final library event before school starts.
“We are hoping this event will be the big bang event before the school year starts,” she said. “The event is for anybody that has a passion for comics and cosplays.”
Timblin is hopeful that Sandemonium becomes a yearly event.
“If Sandemonium catches on with the community planners hope to develop and expand the community micro-con as an annual event,” she said. “In the meantime however, we are focused on making the first-ever Sandemonium a memorable day for kids, parents and everyone else. The first-ever Sandemonium will be a memorable day for kids, parents and adults that share the same interests in comics.”