Athol Comic Book Fest returns this Saturday
Published: 10-03-2024 5:00 PM |
ATHOL – If you’re a fan of action, fantasy, adventure, comic books, or graphic novels – or all of the above – Athol Town Hall is the place to be this Saturday for the third annual Comic Book Fest.
The event, organized by the Athol Public Library, will feature artist panels, vendors, cosplay, games, crafts and more.
Emily Boughton, the young adult librarian at Athol Library, explained, “Hero Shack Press, who we partner with, approached us about how we could bring comics to the public and how we could advertise them. When we were meeting we kind of ended up on the idea of having a showcase of local comic book creators, and it morphed into having activities, a cosplay contest, and we’ve added more and more each year.”
There will be themed games including an anime scavenger hunt, a “Guess Who” challenge, a Minecraft craft, Star Wars trivia, and more. An Artists’ Alley will be set up in the Town Hall where visitors can meet artists and authors Mike Waggoner, Joe Medeiros, Amy Gleason, Andrew and Kayleigh David, Robert Noberini, Bill Larose, and Hans Rickheit among others.
Boughton said 20 artists have signed up to highlight their work, much of which will be available for sale. In addition, she said, two comic book retailers will be on hand; His & Hers Comics of Greenfield and Holy Moleys Comics & Collectibles of Northampton, each offering pop culture items and mainstream comics for sale.
“We also have five local partners who will be there,” Boughton continued. “We have Friends of the Library, who will be selling snacks and refreshments, as well as the Athol Area YMCA, Launch Space, the Athol Teen Advisory Council, and Valuing Our Children.”
An artist’s panel featuring Nile and Calvin Hennicks, Patrick Brigham, Scott Harris King, and C.L. Bell will begin at 11 a.m. At 11:30 a.m. Peter Stewart will offer a demonstration on how to draw pets. A second artist panel at noon will include Christopher Tamulevich, Keith Gleason, Johnny C. and Gary Henderson, and a third panel at 12:30 p.m. features Mary Dumas, Mac Maclean, Joseph Graves. P. J. Curling and Peter Stewart.
Asked if the participating artists hail from North Quabbin or the Pioneer Valley, Boughton said, “Many of them are, but there are some who are from a bit further away. But they are all from the New England area.”
Article continues after...
Yesterday's Most Read Articles
At 1 p.m., a cosplay contest will take place, with contestants of all ages showing off their costumes and fashion accessories to the audience and a panel of judges. Registration for the contest closes at 12:45 p.m.
According to a release from the library, “As they participate in the free activities and visit the various artists, visitors will have the opportunity to earn tickets that they can enter into raffles for signed prints, exclusive comics, collectibles and more.”
Any chance that Comic Book Fest could turn into a two-day Athol Comicon? Boughton hesitated and chuckled, “I think it could be a couple of hours longer at this point, but I don’t know about multiple days, just based upon having the staff to run it.”
Comic Book Fest takes place in Memorial Hall at Athol Town Hall, 584 Main St., from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Visitors of all ages are welcome to stop by and enjoy the festivities. Admission and activities are free and open to all ages.
Greg Vine can be reached at gvineadn@gmail.com.