Submitted by Emily States, Stillwater Public Library
The Stillwater Cultural District is bringing back LexiCon, a free comic con celebrating all things pop culture, on Saturday, Oct. 26, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. This year’s program is more expansive than ever, with pre and post events starting Thursday, Oct. 24, and lasting over the weekend.
The evolution of LexiCon represents a huge team effort with numerous organizations participating, including the Stillwater Community Center, the Stillwater Public Library, Prairie Arts Center, Visit Stillwater, Stonecloud Stillwater, Stillwater Public Schools and the Stillwater History Museum at the Sheerar.
Librarian and LexiCon founder Paula Long believes that this year’s event is shaping up to be the biggest and best LexiCon yet.
“This event has grown so much since the library planned a small comic con event in the summer of 2015,” Long said. “Now it has grown into an event that includes nearly all institutions that make up the Stillwater Cultural District. It’s going to be a blast!”
Pre-convention activities start on Thursday, Oct. 24 with a “LexiConcert” at the Stillwater Community Center at 7 p.m. The Stillwater Community Band will perform music from “Harry Potter,” “Star Wars,” “Star Trek” and more.
Friday, Oct. 25 at 8 p.m., festivities continue with a “Zombie Prom” at Stonecloud Brewing Company. Everyone is invited to dress up in their best zombie attire. The event includes a makeup artist on site to paint faces and a contest with prizes awarded for the best costumes.
The main event starts on Saturday, Oct. 26, with over 40 pop culture vendors, artists, authors and organizations and a display of pop culture inspired art by Stillwater High School students at the Stillwater Community Center; more than 10 speakers, panels and LARP demos at the Library; arts and craft lessons and demos at Prairie Arts and a Dick Tracy exhibit at the Stillwater History Museum at the Sheerar.
The Community Center will also host the cosplay contest this year in the Houston Theater at 4 p.m. Registration will be required the day of the event between 10 a.m. and 3:30 p.m. at the Community Center’s Information Desk. People of all ages may join the contest, and costumes are required to be family-friendly. Prop weapons must be non-functional and will be checked at the door of each facility.
“I can’t wait to see everyone in their costumes,” said Stephanie Kinder, community programs manager at the City of Stillwater. “From groups like the 501st Legion in film quality Star Wars outfits to cosplayers of all ages competing in the contest, the caliber of creativity and dedication is going to be impressive.”
A shot of Star Wars drama in Stillwater
At Prairie Arts Center, LexiCon visitors can expect character drawing lessons led by artist Lauren Oyer, a gory makeup showcase with Jason Estala, free screenprinted tattoos featuring LexiCon characters, blacksmithing demonstrations and a live-action Yoda painting by Mark Crow. In addition, official LexiCon t-shirts can be screenprinted on demand for a $20 fee.
The Library will hold a variety of guest speakers, panels, a Tetris tournament and Live Action Role Playing (LARP) demos. Topics covered include everything from the early days of fandom and comic collecting in Oklahoma to Bigfoot and the paranormal, board game design, Dungeons & Dragons and cosplay.
“I’m so pleased with the Library’s lineup this year,” Long said. “There’s so much talent! We have two authors, podcasters, award-winning cosplayers and some of the best Tetris players in the world.”
A highlight at the Library is the Classic Tetris World Championship (CTWC) taking place in conjunction with LexiCon this year. Several top players will be in attendance, including Stillwater’s own Willis Gibson, a.k.a. Blue Scuti, the first person ever to crash Tetris on NES.
Gibson will also participate in a “Tetris Q &A” panel along with DogPlayingTetris, P1xelAndy and MylesTheGreat at noon. The players hope the audience will walk away with a new understanding of esports.
“It takes a lot of hard work and dedication to be a top player in esports, regardless of what game you play,” Gibson said. “It’s also important to remember that not being perfect is how you learn. Failure can lead to success.”
LexiCon attendees can also drop by throughout the day to watch skilled gameplay, and even participate in a high-score challenge open to everyone with prizes for multiple age groups. For more information about the CTWC tournament including qualifiers, visit sites.google.com/view/ctwc-lexicon, or LexiCon’s webpage.
For those interested in local comic book history, the History Museum at the Sheerar will be open from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. to highlight its exhibit “Dick Tracy Display and Museum Mysteries.” The display will feature comic books, toys and memorabilia about the series and author Chester Gould, who was born in Pawnee, Oklahoma.
Most activities wrap up in time for the cosplay contest to allow everyone the chance to participate. Following the contest at the Community Center, there will be an evening of continued fun at Stonecloud, including “Paws Play,” a cosplay costume contest for pets that starts at 6 p.m. followed by a band performing in Star Wars costumes.
Volunteers are needed to help with everything from providing directions and information to attendees to checking costume weapons. Sign up to volunteer and access more details about LexiCon, including a full schedule of events, at visitstillwater.org/LexiCon. Follow LexiCon on Facebook and Instagram @stillwaterlexicon for updates.
