Online Coeur d’Con begins Friday
Sean Spencer, of Post Falls, is in full “Rick” character from the cartoon sitcom “Rick and Morty” as he shares a lighthearted moment with friend Sydney Morgan of Post Falls, in cosplay, during the Coeur d’Alene Public Library’s Coeur d’Con in 2017. The 2020 Coeur d’Con is taking place this weekend in an online format because of COVID-19, but will still have plenty of activities and fun things for people to enjoy. (DEVIN HEILMAN/Press File)
This “Legend of Zelda: Majora’s Mask” fan art piece by Samantha Brewer, 16, is titled “Kafei.” It’s one of many creations attendees will be able to enjoy and vote on this weekend during the Coeur d’Alene Library’s Coeur d’Alene. (Image courtesy of Coeur d’Con)
Anthony Elberling, 33, poses as Inspector Gadget in his entry for the Coeur d’Alene Library’s 2020 Coeur d’Con cosplay contest. This year’s Coeur d’Con will be held completely online Friday through Sunday.
Photo courtesy of Coeur d’Con
Three-day virtual festival to celebrate all things nerd culture
COEUR d’ALENE — Just as intergalactic explorers discover new planets and life forms among the stars, those who participate in the sixth annual Coeur d'Con this weekend will find whole worlds at their fingertips.
The Coeur d'Alene Library's Coeur d'Con has grown to become a lively, well-attended, all-ages event that features cosplay, gaming, fan art and much more.
Pop culture enthusiasts will still be able to enjoy this entertaining event this year, but it is being held in virtual format to ensure the safety of attendees amid the COVID-19 pandemic. Last year's event attracted nearly 2,000 participants.
"Comic (conventions) in general speak to a lot of different people who don't really see the things they love in regular pop culture," Coeur d'Con spokeswoman J.D. Smithson said Wednesday. "They want to see the hidden things that not a lot of people know about, and they want to see other people who love those things."
While it won't be held in person, fans will be able to experience the wonderful world of Coeur d'Con online Friday through Sunday.
Voting for cosplay and fan art begins at 10 a.m. Friday and goes through Saturday with winners announced on the event's website and Facebook page at 4 p.m. Sunday.
Panel videos available for viewing include "Indigenous Comics" with Mandi Harris, "Intro to Japanese 101" with Megan Myrberg and "DIY Mandalorian Armor" with Joey Graham of Mandalorian Mercs.
Gaming sessions will be offered on a special Coeur d'Con Discord server, led by game master and library volunteer David Yake. On Friday, Muppets will run amok in Middle Earth starting at 10 a.m. in the "Land of Eem" session, and "Finals Week" at 2 p.m. asks players: "Can you survive the final at Superhero High?" On Saturday, a mysterious force creeps up from a mine in the 10 a.m. session of "Big Trouble in Little Wallace" and at 2 p.m., "Quest for Groceries" will take players on a supernatural adventure.
"There's already been a lot of interest in the Discord server," Smithson said. "We are so excited that we'll be able to get all these people on together."
The weekend will also feature a geeky virtual challenge, "Fandom Quest," as well as online contests, artists and vendors and a special Coeur d'Con Pokémon Go community for all to enjoy.
For those who stop by the library, Smithson said a limited supply of mystery and sci-fi packages will be available, as well as some crafts. Coeur d'Con representatives will be on site from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Friday and Saturday and from noon to 4 p.m. Sunday.
Info: www.coeurdcon.weebly.com or www.facebook.com/Coeurdcon
