Paranormal investigators, a Shakespeare Renaissance dance and a Ramen eating contest are just a sampling of the offerings at an event this weekend in Seymour.
For the fifth straight year, Minicon will take over the Jackson County Public Library, 303 W. Second St., on Friday and Saturday.
People of all ages will come dressed as their favorite characters and have an opportunity to participate in a variety of activities and interact with others with similar interests.
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Perhaps best of all, it’s all free.
“Events like Gen Con and Indiana Comic Con are really fun, but they are also expensive and require travel. Our event is free to everyone, and you can go home when you are tired or cranky hungry,” said Lola Snyder, head of youth services at the Jackson County Public Library.
Friday’s activities are for adults 18 and older from 6 to 11 p.m.
An art display, Dungeon Crawl, Game Library, a scavenger hunt and the Society for Creative Anachronism will be available all evening.
There will be set times for sword forging, an art raffle, an escape room, a cosplay contest, a Ramen eating contest and different games.
“We started adults-only Friday night because there are lots of children here on Saturday,” Snyder said, noting that in the past, around 100 adults have attended Friday night, and more than 500 people come for the family-friendly Saturday activities. “That’s not fun for every adult out there, so we wanted to give them their own time and space.”
Friday will end with professional paranormal investigators, who will talk about their investigations, findings and process.
“Their program is very informative,” Snyder said.
Saturday’s activities are for all ages from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Activities offered all day include Dungeon Crawl for ages 8 and up, Mini Quest and a scavenger hunt for ages 12 and under and the Society for Creative Anachronism.
Sword forging, Giant Candy Land, an art display, an escape room, a Kentucky Shakespeare Renaissance Dance, Con Quest and a creative can craft all are planned to start in the morning.
Another Ramen eating contest and Magic the Gathering both start at noon, and cookie decorating for kids is at 12:30 and 2 p.m.
Also, in the afternoon, there will be Dungeons and Dragons, another Kentucky Shakespeare Renaissance Dance, Name That Anime, Princess Merida, a costume contest and a cosplay contest.
“The Kentucky Shakespeare Renaissance Dance for ages 6 and up on Saturday is going to be a blast,” Snyder said, adding that likely will be moved indoors because of the projected heat index.
As for the library staff, she said they are most excited about the Ramen eating contest.
They also like seeing all of the costumes during the two-day event.
“We have a costume contest for ages 0 to 11 and a cosplay contest for ages 12 and up,” Snyder said. “We also really like the art contest. We gather art for about a month before, then ask customers to vote on their favorites in three different age categories.”
Cosplayers Saturday will include the 501st Bloodfin Garrison, USS Gorkon Star Trek Fan Club and Outcast Cosplay.
Snyder invites the public to check out all that Minicon has to offer.
“There are a lot of people in the area who love to get together with other people who like the same things they do. They get to dress up, go to fun programs, maybe do a craft and spend a great day at the library,” Snyder said. “The library puts a lot of time and effort into putting on this event, and it shows. There are so many talented staff members who create programs and displays. I think people respond to that, as well.”
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Fifth annual Minicon at the Jackson County Public Library, 303 W. Second St., Seymour
Friday (adults 18 and older)
6 to 11 p.m.: Art display, Dungeon Crawl, Game Library, scavenger hunt and Society for Creative Anachronism
6 to 6:45 p.m.: Sword forging
6 to 10:30 p.m.: Art raffle
6:20 to 9:20 p.m.: Escape Room: Ready Player Tomb
6:30 to 7 p.m.: Name That Anime
6:30 to 7:30 p.m.: Dungeons and Dragons 5e
7 p.m. to completion: Con Quest
7 to 7:30 p.m.: Cosplay contest
7:30 to 8 p.m.: Ramen eating contest
8 to 9 p.m.: Comic Coasters
8:30 to 10 p.m.: Professional paranormal investigators
Saturday (all ages)
10 a.m. to 5 p.m.: Dungeon Crawl (ages 8 and up), Mini Quest (ages 12 and under), scavenger hunt (ages 12 and up) and Society for Creative Anachronism
10 to 10:45 a.m.: Sword forging (ages 10 and up)
10 a.m. to noon: Giant Candy Land (ages 12 and under)
10 a.m. to 4:15 p.m.: Art display
10:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.: Escape Room: Ready Player Tomb (ages 10 and up)
11 a.m. to noon: Kentucky Shakespeare Renaissance Dance (ages 6 and up)
11 a.m. to completion: Con Quest (ages 10 and up)
11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m: Creative can craft (ages 10 and up)
Noon to 12:30 p.m.: Ramen eating contest (ages 10 and up)
Noon to 1 p.m.: Magic the Gathering (ages 13 and up)
12:30 to 1:30 p.m.: Cookie decorating (ages 5 to 11)
1 to 2 p.m.: Dungeons and Dragons 5e (ages 12 and up)
1:30 to 2:30 p.m.: Kentucky Shakespeare Renaissance Dance (ages 6 and up)
2 to 3 p.m.: Cookie decorating (ages 12 and up)
2 to 2:30 p.m.: Name That Anime
3 to 3:30 p.m.: Princess Merida
4 to 4:30 p.m.: Costume contest (ages 0 to 11)
4:30 to 5 p.m.: Cosplay contest (ages 12 and up)
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