ORION TOWNSHIP, Mich – On Saturday, May 4, 2024, Orion Township Public Library hosted its annual Fandom Fest. This year, Fandom Fest happened to fall on the fourth of May, as in, “May the fourth be with you” – a popular phrase among “Star Wars” fans.
Fandom Fest also took place across Orion Township and Lake Orion as Prime Time Comics & Cards also participated in the festivities, hosting Free Comic Book Day, where fans of all ages could acquire free comics at the store. Free Comic Book Day was created in 2002 by the comic book industry to help attract new readers to independent stores.
OTPL started its event at 11 a.m., with story-time, crafts and trivia. Dan Major is the Head of Adult Services at OTPL, Joe Johnson of ONTV spoke with Major on the day of the festivities.
“It is a celebration of games, anime, TV, movies, ‘Star Wars’ Day, Free Comic Book Day – any fandom is being celebrated here today,” Major said. “We’ve got ‘Bounce ‘n’ Boogie’ at 11 a.m. today which is like a movement-based story time for younger kids. We’ve also got crafts going on in our meeting room today with snacks and everything like that – all different kinds of fandom-based crafts. Then we’re having fandom trivia at 1 o’clock.”
Free comics were also distributed at Fandom Fest, with multiple kids and families enjoying the complimentary media.
“We have some leftover comics from previous years and 2nd & Charles actually helped us out this year,” Major said.
Why does OTPL host this event every year? The answer is simple:
“Well obviously, libraries and fandoms are tied so closely – we’ve all got a movie series, TV series, book series that we love. And it is available here and it is a way to draw people into the library with something fun and a little different to celebrate the books and the media that they love,” Major said.
We all need a break from reality now and again, but indulging in these stories and engaging with the community in a fun, festive way, it seems as though real-life is not that bad.
You can support OTPL by going to their next big event, their annual Summer Reading Kickoff, which is set to take place on Saturday, June 8. There will be games, activities, food and entertainment at this fun, family-friendly event.
For more information on events like these visit oriontownship.librarycalendar.com.
Photo By Joe Johnson
Photo by Joe Johnson