Ultimate Guide To This Year’s Mesa County Comic Con

This fall, come join Mesa County Libraries for their annual Comic Con. Celebrating its 10th anniversary, Comic Con will be a two-day event from September 20-21, 2024 and will belocated at the Grand Junction Convention Center. Hours on Friday will be from 4-8 p.m. andhours on Saturday will be from 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Drawing several thousand fans each year, Comic Con is packed with something for everyone including panels, cosplay contests and showcases of local artists and exhibitors.

Event organizer Shana Wade gives a sneak peek into some of this year’s highlights. “We're looking at a sci-fi author that we'll be bringing in” she says, sotake a look atthe panel schedule at mesacountylibraries.org/comiccon. Additional panel discussions attendees can look forward to will range from Comic Con trivia, the history of comic books, the contrast of pop culture pirates and real-life ones and panels on art and writing.

Cosplayers of all ages can anticipate this year’s cosplay contests. Contest categories include kids(ages 11 and under), teens (ages 12-17), adults (ages 18 and older) and groups (two or more contestants dressed as characters from the same fandom). Registration will happen on the day of and will take place on the south entrance to the breezeway 30 minutes before each contest. Prizes will be awarded to the winners of each contest.

In addition to these exciting events, local exhibitors will also be featured at the Convention Center. As Wade describes, this is “a chance for so many local and smaller authors,artists andcrafters to show their stuff.” Attendees can buy custom-made art and other products,supporting the local community in doing so. Community members of any age are also able to participate in the annual Mesa County Libraries Comic Con Juried Art Show. Submitted art will highlight graphic literature and comics andbe displayed at multiple library locations through October.

Comic Con has always been, as Wade puts it, “an environment where being nerdy or into fandom is really celebrated,” and a place where people can build connections. Grab your library card for free entry and join in this year’s Comic Con festivities!

Originally published in the Fall 2024 issue of Spoke+Blossom.