AURORA | Fire up your fandoms, folks.
Buffs of superheroes, video games, science fiction and fantasy will overtake Aurora city hall Saturday as Aurora Mini-Con returns for a full day of geeky pop-culture celebration.
The free, family-friendly festival runs from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. across multiple venues, including the Great Lawn, Central Library and Aurora History Museum at the Aurora Municipal Campus. The mini-con-palooza offers a mix of trivia contests, live performances, crafts, food and a highly anticipated costume contest.
“This is really a chance for fans of all ages to come together and share their love of pop culture,” city officials said in a statement. The event is sponsored by Aurora’s Library and Cultural Services and Parks, Recreation and Open Space departments.
Among the events:
- Trivia Tent testing fandom knowledge on Disney, DC vs. Marvel and video games.
- Science experiments with the Ghostbusters. (What could go wrong?)
- A Jurassic Park panel discussion inside the museum. Yum.
- Fandom crafts and a superhero storytime for younger fans.
- Laser tag and video games, including Magic: The Gathering, an E-Sports video game lounge and the FIVE-O Gaming Trailer.
- Unique vehicles from Geek Garage on display. Car nerd paradise.
- Performances by Aurora Dance Arts, Stace Johnson, Miki Saito and Little Moses Jones.
- A noon superhero surprise on the Great Lawn stage. Look, not up in the sky!
- A sensory-friendly space for guests who need a quieter environment.
- More than 30 vendors selling pop culture merchandise and collectibles.
- Food trucks offering a variety of treats throughout the day.
The festival also features a cosplay contest, with registration starting at 3:30 p.m. and judging at 4 p.m. Special guest HeatherAfter Cosplay and an R2-D2 replica will be on site, and the contest will be judged by a mystery visitor “from a galaxy far, far away.”
Prizes will be awarded in several categories:
- Ages born yesterday to age 12: $50 Box Lunch gift card, $50 Lava Island gift card and more.
- Ages 13 and up: A Fan Expo Ultimate 4-Day Pass, $100 Michaels gift card, $100 Amazon gift card and more.
- Best Group: $300 Fan Expo credit and four $50 Amazon gift cards.
Best in Show and honorable mentions will also be awarded, with handmade costumes carrying extra weight with the judges.
Throughout the day, families can spread blankets on the lawn to enjoy outdoor performances, browse vendor booths for gifts and collectibles, or take part in trivia and crafts.
The event is free, though food and merchandise vendors will charge. Organizers caution that parking may be limited and encourage attendees to use public transportation. The R Line light rail stops at the Aurora Metro Station, about a five-minute walk from the library, and bus routes 133 and 153 stop nearby.
For a complete schedule, go to AuroraGov.org/Mini-Con.