ComicCon at the Snohomish Library presents ‘all kinds of fun’

SNOHOMISH — The library opened more than three hours early Sunday to welcome kids and adults dressed up as super heroes. They walked into a room with the Evergreen Community Orchestra playing tunes from “Star Trek” and “Star Wars.”

Conor Griffin, 10, of Everett, was One Punch Man, dressed in a yellow jump suit, red glove and boots.

Sister Keira Griffin, 7, was dressed as Princess Unicorn, but there was just one problem. She wasn’t crazy about wearing the costume’s headband, which included a unicorn’s horn.

They were among the nearly 100 people participating Sunday in a ComicCon event at the Snohomish Library. It’s thought to be the biggest such event sponsored at Sno-Isle Libraries.

“Who doesn’t like dressing up every now and then?” said librarian Grant Perrigo, whose costume was Mr. Incredible from the Disney movie “The Incredibles.”

The event included “typical ComicCon stuff,” Perrigo said, such as a costume contest, a photo station, and virtual reality video games.

Dressing up as a character is part of ComicCon events scheduled around the nation, including Emerald City ComicCon in Seattle.

“A lot of times they sell out or they’re too far to travel to, and they cost money,” Perrigo said.

He and librarians from Monroe and Lake Stevens wanted an event that was free, with its targeted audience being kids and teens.

That didn’t stop adults from participating. Shane Harris, 50, who drove up from Tacoma costumed as the outer planetary character Dakkon Knox. His helmet had both a cooling system and a way to amplify words so he could hear comments from people who gathered around him.

Part of Sunday’s Comicon event encouraged participants to award tickets to people they thought had winning costumes in three categories: best homemade costume, most imaginative and best overall. Kids eagerly walked up to Harris to hand him their tickets.

ComicCon events “are all kinds of fun,” Harris said. “I have three or four costumes — all ‘Star Wars’ based.”

Kathryn Orbino, 15, of Lake Stevens, was dressed as Kiki from the “Kiki Delivery Service” movie, with a big red bow in her hair, black dress, orange purse and holding a broom.

Orbino said she enjoys dressing up as a character whose personality she likes. Kiki, she said, “doesn’t give up; she’s happy.”

Raelene Mock, 17, came from Arlington as a warrior elf. “She likes to be in the woods and take care of others,” she explained.

Perrigo said he hoped that the event demonstrates the variety of materials the library has to offer, including ComicCon-themed DVDs, comic books and books.

Some of those attending took the opportunity to check out and take home some of those materials.

Emily Felt, a teen librarian at the Monroe Library, dressed in a homemade costume of R2D2 from “Star Wars.” She beamed as she looked around the room.

“It’s kind of like a second Halloween,” she said. “Costumes, candy. I’m having a great time.”

Sharon Salyer: 425-339-3486; salyer@heraldnet.com.