By Laura Walter

Returning to the state capital is Dover Comic Con, one of the city’s biggest festivals, free and open to all.

The 2024 pop culture festival will be Saturday, June 8, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. The indoor/outdoor fest fills historic downtown Dover on Loockerman Street, Federal Street, Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard, The Green and Legislative Mall (streets will be closed to vehicular traffic).

Dover Comic Con is a family-friendly event that is designed as a safe, open and accepting environment for everyone. Admission is free for all to enjoy over 100 vendors, artists and artisans, authors, cosplay competitions, panel discussions, fan groups, pro wrestling, pinball and gaming tournaments, lightsaber training and pop-culture cars throughout the day.

Starting in 2014, this was originally a Dover Public Library event, that grew at a successful and exciting rate. “What the Library did with Dover Comic Con was consistently knocked out of the park, and everyone wanted to see it grow,” so the Daily State News took the reins several years ago, to continue the expansion of the event. “It’s been a really nice partnership … we’ve added new things every year,” said Jessica Cook, DSN special events manager.

Dover Comic Con really hits all the buttons for different age groups, from adults to teens and even young children.

“It’s very easy for people to come and go throughout the day.” said Cook. “It’s nice to go to an event—for free—and check out all these different types of things” from wrestling to cosplay, history to panel discussions. “The only cost is for food and any of the merchandise you purchase from the vendors.

“We have such a huge, interesting intersection of vendors,” from professional shops and collectors to artists working from their basement. There are collectibles, toys, jewelry, dice, gaming gear, books, art and more. “It’s an opportunity for anybody to come and see what it’s all about.”

Costumes are fully welcome and encouraged at Dover Comic Con, whether a detailed, homemade niche character suit with full makeup—or something you’ve dusted off from Halloween. It all adds to the fun.

Pretty much any fictional character belongs here, whether from a classic video game, film, book or TV show—if it’s popular or beloved media, bring it on.

See costumes all across the festival and open-air market or see them onstage at the festival costume/cosplay contests (Ages 0-12 at 12 p.m., and ages 13+ at 1:30 p.m.).

“You should definitely check it out because it’s easy enough to wander in, and there’s so much to see and do,” Cook said. “It’s easy to find something familiar or experience something new.”

Downtown venues have indoor options, too. Delaware Anime Society will have TV episodes and a scavenger hunt, while the Pursuit for Peace Princesses snap photos with Disney fans. Extraordinary face painting designs are available all with a pop-culture theme. First State Flippers will host a pinball contest. The Guest lectures and panels will cover topics like the Golden Age of Comic Books, writing and publishing comics and games, Dungeons & Dragons and Star Wars trivia.

Star Wars fans can meet costumed characters and robotic droids from the 501st Legion First State Garrison and Rebel Legion: Ghost Base.  Then, you can head back outside to Legislative Mall and take a trip back to the Middle Ages and experience the Medieval aspects of life with the Society of Creative Anachronisms.

Pre-registration is required to participate in the youth and adult costume contests; the Lightsaber Training; and the Super Smash Bros. Ultimate Competition.

Pro wrestling concludes the day, as Dynamite Championship Wrestling presents Clash at the Con 3, featuring known pros and up-and-coming wrestlers. They’ll also sign autographs and greet attendees at their booth.

Friday night kicks off the weekend with a Comic Book Trivia Contest at 6 p.m. at Christ Episcopal Church, 523 S. State Street. Teams can bring snacks and meet on the second floor of the parish hall.

Parking is free on downtown streets and public City or State lots, and several DART bus routes pass near the festival area. Guests can enter the festival on foot from any angle because it’s not fenced off.

ATMs and also a diaper changing station will add convenience to the day.

Dover Comic Con is produced by the Daily State News and sponsored by the City of Dover, P&G Gable Dover, Dover Electric, Visit Central Delaware – Kent County Tourism, Official ATM Sponsor Dover Federal Credit Union, Del-One Federal Credit Union, 92.9 TOM-FM and WBOC, with the support of many local partners including the Dover Public Library, Red Bandana, the Biggs Museum of American Art, Delaware Historical & Cultural Affairs, First State Heritage Park, and TKO Productions/DCW ProWrestling.

Read the full program book (with map, parking details, vendors and schedule of events) in the Sunday, June 2 edition of the Daily State News and online at BayToBayNews.com/SpecialSections.

Learn more at DelmarvaEvents.net, and be sure to visit us on Facebook and Instagram @dovercomiccon.