Assemble your Pokémon, grab your phaser and brush up on your Rainbow Road maps, because Sandpoint’s own Sandemonium is back for its 10th anniversary with a mini-con celebrating all things nerdy.
This year’s Sandemonium will include the event’s hallmarks, such as crafts, cosplay, tabletop roleplaying games and more on Saturday, Oct. 11, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Sandpoint branch of the East Bonner County Library (1407 Cedar St).
“The event started as a library program 10 years ago and was an instant success!” said Sandemonium President Michael Nickerson. “So much so, in fact, that at the time, the event’s hosts believed a bigger venue might be in order.”
Bonner County’s only comic con (though it’s about much more than just comics) continued to grow and thrive until, like most things, the COVID-19 pandemic put the party on hold. Since then, Sandemonium’s dedicated fans and organizers have been steadily building it back up, hoping to offer “as much fun and engagement for that community as possible.”
Attendees at Sandemonium 2022 gather at the Sandpoint library. Courtesy photo
Saturday’s event will include plenty of all-day activities like video and card games, minifigure painting, an improv performance and a Pokémon search around the library. Scheduled events begin at 11 a.m. with video free play, a writing workshop and the Rubber Duck Cosplay Contest.
The videogame tournament begins at 1 p.m., followed by the minifigure painting contest at 2:30 p.m. and, for the grand finale, the 3 p.m. Sandemonium cosplay contest.
“I think it’s important to share and celebrate all-inclusive and wonderful cultures in our community, but nerd culture specifically has, traditionally, been a marginalized group,” said Nickerson. “I know ‘geeks’ have gone pretty mainstream these days, but I think there’s still plenty of people out there that don’t realize it, and this is a wonderful opportunity to connect with them and with each other.”
“Also, it’s fun. And it’s always wonderful to have another excuse to celebrate fun,” he added.
The nonprofit organization will host an ongoing bake sale with cookies and bao throughout the day to support the con, which is also sponsored by Keokee and Sandpoint Gaming, LLC.
For a full schedule of events, or to volunteer to help make Sandemonium possible, visit 7bcon.com.
“If you’re not sure if Sandemonium is your thing or not, come find out,” said Nickerson. “Come immerse yourself in nerd culture; we bet you find something to connect with. Whether it’s video gaming, painting your own 3-D miniature or chatting about which era of Star Trek you enjoyed most, chances are you’ll find something fun to do at Sandemonium.”
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