By Bob Vosseller and Chris Lundy
TOMS RIVER – For nearly a decade, fans of science fiction, comic books, gaming, fantasy, anime and horror have come together for FanNation, a free day-long event coordinated by the Ocean County Library.
Activities aimed at attendees of all ages included a Galaxy Sensory Bottle within the Discovery room, a story time zone featuring a princess plus a superhero story time where you could meet and greet a superhero.
Many fans of geek stuff are creative people. That’s why there was “A Guide To Immersive World Building” workshop held in the Green Room.
Two writers led an open discussion with participants on ideas to make your world feel real and lived in. They asked open-ended questions about what kind of historical situations would impact the cultures of your world.
A question they posed was pretty simple but far-reaching: what would your world be like if the moon was different? Participants talked about tidal changes, how gods are created based on what people see in the sky, and the impact on mental health. There was also an exercise where the participants were encouraged to craft a story, with each person adding one sentence.
Jawas from Star Wars are usually a reclusive bunch, but sometimes they don’t mind posing for pictures and shouting “utinni” instead of “cheese.” (Photo by Chris Lundy)
Many science fiction and fantasy worlds contain a quest, and the library was no different. Visitors were encouraged to find the evolutions of Evee the Pokemon and a 3-D printed figurine hidden between the stacks.
Another quest was an escape room scenario in the world of the “Wednesday” show. Thing had been hand-napped, and you had to find him.
Within the magazine area rechristened as artist alley for the day, there were tables and displays manned by members of the Saber Guild and 501st Legion: The Northeast Remanent which is another cosplay group that serves the state and strives to create costumes which reflect the realism seen in the movies of the Star Wars saga.
The Saber Guild Corellia also presented a children’s padawan training class which taught children how to “use the force” in a non-contact experience that used safe practice sabers that were lent out to students.
Star Trek was of course represented by the Jersey Shore chapter of Starfleet: The International Star Trek Fan Association, the USS Challenger. The USS Challenger formed in 1988 and marked its 35th anniversary in July.
Starfleet was founded in 1974 and will celebrate its 50th birthday next year. Challenger members talked to attendees about the animated series “Lower Decks,” the live prequel series to the original Star Trek TV show, “Strange New Worlds” and the third and final season of the Star Trek: The Next Generation sequel, “Star Trek: Picard” which concluded earlier this year but left a hint of a new series to come.
The teen zone featured console gaming where a retro system or Nintendo Switch could be used in a fun and friendly environment. In the maker space area on the library’s second floor, you could enjoy a green screen photo opportunity, a reusable bag creation activity and you could share, trade or create buttons using the branch’s button maker.
Also in the maker space, kids and adults alike had fun using 3D pens. A length of colored plastic is placed in the back, much the same way pencil lead is inserted into mechanical pencils. When you squeeze the pen gently, it heats the plastic, allowing it to come out the tip in a malleable way. It hardens quickly, giving rise to a solid creation.
Members of the USS Challenger, the Jersey Shore Chapter of Starfleet: The International Star Trek Fan Association, man their club table during FanNation 2023 held at the Toms River Library. (Photo by Bob Vosseller)
Podcaster Mike Schubert of Potterless and The Newest Olympian did a presentation on his experience with and lessons learned from reading young adult and middle grade novels professionally for his shows.
Many attendees also came home with several of the library’s discarded graphic novels/Manga books that were distributed from giveaway carts in the lobby of the branch.
An anime trivia game, styled after the game show “Who Wants to be a Millionaire?” provided anime fans a chance to win some small prizes.
As per tradition, the event concluded in Mancini Hall with a cosplay contest that represented various fandom categories. Prizes were awarded to the top three cosplayers.
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