DOVER — Get ready to geek out at Dover Comic Con 2021.

The family-friendly pop culture festival will return downtown Saturday to celebrate people’s fandom of film, TV, video games, animation, books and other popular culture.

The free event will run all day, with vendors and activities from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., plus an afternoon concert 4-5:30 p.m. by the band Middle 8. There will be tons of photo ops, both indoors and outdoors — plus nearly 100 vendors, artists and artisans, authors, a cosplay competition, fan groups, pop culture cars, food trucks and activities all day.

“I absolutely love our Comic Con event. Being a closet comic book fan, I’m like a kid at a comic book store, walking around looking at the vendors and seeing the various attractions,” said Konrad LaPrade, vice president of sales and marketing for the Delaware State News, a presenter of Dover Comic Con. “What makes the event extra-special for me is that, after the year we’ve had, families of all ages need an opportunity to relax and have some fun. And this event will be just that!”

The Delaware State News joins many local entities, including the Dover Public Library, the city of Dover and 2021's signature sponsor, the Dover Federal Credit Union, in presenting the festival.

The downtown avenues will feature dozens of vendors for every geek passion: original art, comic books, T-shirts, cosplay and steampunk accessories, action figures, miniatures, event merch from Silver City Mugs and more.

Character guests will include everyone from superheroes to merfolk and even pro wrestlers from TKO Productions/DCW. Sharing the spotlight will be the Batmobile, a DeLorean and a "Jurassic Park" Jeep.

Food trucks will offer street treats, including tacos, barbecue, breakfast sandwiches, pasta, sausages, shaved ice, funnel cakes and deep-fried deliciousness.

Anime takes center stage at the library, where the Delaware Anime Society will host a scavenger hunt, sell Japanese snacks, offer giveaways and show six hours of back-to-back television shows.

“Many of us love anime for its art styles, the music, the character and plot development, and the strong ties between anime, Japanese religion, mythology and culture,” said Matilda Madden, club founder and all-chapter organizer.

Comic cons are such unique events because “we love spending time with friends and meeting new ones that share common geeky interests,” Ms. Madden said, in addition to the fun of “buying merchandise and cosplaying or taking pictures.”

Also at the library: expert-level face-painting (Christy Shaffer), photo ops with your favorite princess (Pursuit for Peace Princesses), along with Star Wars good guys and bad guys (Rebel Legion’s Ghost Base and the 501st Legion’s First State Garrison).

The Biggs Museum of American Art will explore the history of artistic storytelling. Guest speaker Mike Boyd will present the history of the American comic book at 11:30 a.m. and 1 p.m. Staff and alumni from the Delaware College of Art and Design will also be on-site, answering questions about their college and teen programs. They’ll also give guests the supplies to create their own animated flipbooks. All day, Biggs Kids can also create their own superhero “bracers” or cuffs, plus some very adorable shoulder dragons.

Museum admission will be free all day, so the public can also see some classic heroes: major exhibitions of Winslow Homer, a beloved American 19th-century painter and illustrator, plus Frank E. Schoonover, a Delawarean who created the 1920s art for “Swiss Family Robinson,” “Gulliver’s Travels” and “Treasure Island.”

Dress to impress

Attendees are warmly invited to dress up, whether wearing a favorite fan shirt or pin, or creating an entire original costume.

The free costume contests sponsored by Red Bandana are open to all ages on The Green at State Street:

• Kids' costume contest (ages 12 and under) — Registration 10-11:45 a.m. and event at noon.
• Cosplay contest (ages 13 and up) — Registration 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. and event at 1 for individuals and groups.
• Awards and prizes will be presented for the kids' costume contest immediately after the showcase at noon and for the cosplay contest at 3.

Please see event program (online at BaytoBayNews.com/SpecialSections) for costuming rules. Simulated or costume weapons (foam, plastic or cardboard only) are allowed as a part of the attire, subject to approval by staff. Functional weapons and stage weapons are not permitted.

Dover Comic Con promotes “cospositivity,” a safe and positive atmosphere for cosplayers. Everyone is welcome to cosplay, geek out and share their love of their favorite fandom. Dover Comic Con is intended as a safe, open and accepting environment for everyone.

Music, tours and culture

Rocking the stage from 4-5:30 p.m. will be live music by Middle 8, a Delaware band that puts contemporary twists on retro favorites and catchy originals (inspired by everyone from Led Zeppelin to The Beatles to Outkast). The Kona Ice food truck will sell frozen treats nearby.

Managing many historical sites throughout downtown Dover, the First State Heritage Park will also offer on-theme programs, walking tours and more.

Dipping further back in history, the Society for Creative Anachronism brings the Middle Ages into the present day with displays of medieval life: art, science, crafts, cooking, games and metalworking, plus armored combat.

Cyber Streets and the Sankofa Cultural Arts Center from the Inner City Cultural League have teamed up for a youth booth with hands-on activities: art, character drawing, 3-D printing, costume design and games. They’ll discuss the Sankofa community programs, while selling student-made art and other trinkets. Look for their booth on the corner of Federal Street and Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard North.

Local organizations will also set up shop, including Habitat for Humanity, the OverDrive Digital Bookmobile, “The Villager” mobile visitor center from Kent County Tourism and more.

See you there

Dover Comic Con is a rain-or-shine event located between Loockerman Street, Legislative Avenue, Water Street and South State Street. (Roads closed to vehicular traffic will include Federal Street, Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard, North Street and Loockerman Street.)

Public parking will be available around town. On-site services will include portable restrooms with hand-washing stations, diaper-changing station, ATMs and information booths.

The event will follow Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and state guidelines regarding COVID-19.

As of Friday, we encourage unvaccinated guests to wear a face covering and practice social distancing. Some venues might require face coverings for all guests. Please be prepared. Hand sanitizer will be available for use at DCC information booths. The Delaware Division of Public Health will be on hand administering vaccines at their Federal Street booth.

Details, maps, contest rules and a full program are posted online at delmarvaevents.net. Find more information at Facebook and Instagram (@DoverComicCon).