Library offers free, all-ages fan convention on Sept. 27
Press release from Alachua County Library District
GAINESVILLE, Fla. – The Alachua County Library District invites you to Fandomonium. Celebrate the books, comics, games, shows, and movies you love at this free, all-ages fan convention. Show off your best cosplay or fandom-inspired art and enjoy activities, crafts, and presentations by special guests.
The event will be held Saturday September 27, 2025, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Headquarters Library in Downtown Gainesville. There will be a Fan Art Show, Cosplay Contest, comic drawing workshops, an introduction to D&D and mini figure painting classes, fandom crafts, and fandom displays including a Jurassic Park jeep and Ecto-1. Fans can meet Jerry DeCarie, a Marvel Comics illustrator and learn to draw their own comic superhero. Fans can rally their best and brightest to compete as a team at Fandom Trivia. Meet up with fellow Pokémon Go trainers in the Teen Space as we put out lures all day and enjoy Pokémon Go. Get your game on and challenge your friends or family in the video gaming area sponsored by GatorLAN.
The public is invited to attend, dressed as their favorite character. Enter our Cosplay Contest. There will be four categories for the contest: kids, teens, adults, and masterclass. Masterclass entrants need to have personally created 50% of their costume.
Highlight Events Featuring:
Draw along with a Marvel Comics artist!
Jerry DeCaire is a powerhouse in the comic book world, blending artistry with storytelling since 1991. Best known for bringing Thor, Wolverine, and Deadpool to life for Marvel Comics, DeCaire’s creative reach extends beyond Marvel, illustrating characters like The Cisco Kid, The Phantom, and Green Hornet for top independent publishers. A master illustrator and art educator, DeCaire doesn’t just draw heroes — he crafts legends. DeCaire’s Fandomonium workshop is for all ages.
Visual Culture Scholar Margaret Galvan is an assistant professor in the English Department at the University of Florida. She holds a PhD in English. She is a scholar of contemporary visual culture with an interest in how images are used for purposes of social justice. Galvan is widely published in journals and is the author of an award-winning book. Galvan’s presentation is geared toward adults.
Local Comic Artist Emmanuel Payne is a local artist and entrepreneur specializing in digital comics. He brings a personal touch to digital art by drawing each piece freehand. Payne has led art workshops for schools and libraries throughout Alachua County. Payne’s workshop is geared toward children ages 6-11.
When: Saturday, September 27, 2025, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Where: Headquarters Library, 401 E. University Avenue, in Downtown Gainesville.
Not appropriate for the library system property owners are forced to pay for. Voters should be given a chance to vote on sunsetting this grossly unfair tax.
When is the The Alachua County Library District going to have its Homer fandom convention? Come dressed as your favorite hero from the Iliad or the Odyssey! I’m planning on bulking up for Achilles myself, but if my heel gets sore, there’s always Paris.