I just had to share how fun the Superman Festival in Metropolis, IL is. It’s a smalltown affair, but they have a large variety of yummilicious food carts, oodles of superhero collectibles, a myriad of costumed characters, and of course the Superman Museum where I took this picture of Delilah’s superhero friend. #DelilahTales
My mannequin needs to get a cape now 🙂
And what were my superhero duties you may ask?
This was my boyfriend’s surprise birthday getaway. We drove 5 hours there and 5 hours back all in one day. Because it’s in the middle of absolutely nowhere, he didn’t know where we were going until we took the exit. How perfect!
So if you’re looking for a unique and geeky event, check out the Superman Festival for smalltown charm and super activities 🙂
Just to remind us who we are, me and Kim dressed up as steampunk pirates for a photo session. I only needed one for the earlier blogposts, but how could I not post these!
Costuming by Kim Kouski. Check out her site for geeky discourse.
Photography by Yasmeen Hudson. Check out her site for real talk – inspiration, in the trenches, heart to hearts.
I don’t write fan fiction. I don’t do role-playing games. I don’t enjoy gaming or anime or cosplay. I’m not a Trekkie or a Belieber or a Whovian, and I try not to come across as a Gleek. In fact, I try to avoid coming across as a fangirl of any sort. Why? Good question.
For one thing, I don’t enjoy those things (except Glee. That I can’t help. And for the record, I’d be a fan of Dr. Who if I watched it, I just haven’t gotten around to it.) For another thing, I’m not generally that obsessive over those things. (What I am obsessive over can be saved for another blogpost.) But also because there’s a stereotype there – a stereotype of weirdos who jump off the deep end with everything – unreasonably obsessive, unable to hold a conversation outside of their niche, and prone to bouts of squealing. That stereotype. You can see why I want to avoid it.
And yet, there is one location these obsessive types gather that I can’t help but join. The Olde English Faire.
Me (on the left) and a couple of my writer’s group friends at last year’s Olde English Faire.
Jousts, dancing, archery, knights, maidens, pirates, and people/creatures from all time periods, all worlds, all stories gathered in one place. It’s like a more manageable-sized ComiCon. Kinda. I may have exaggerated that a bit. But the ability to encounter characters and create characters and become characters – it’s a writer’s/reader’s dream come true.
For the record, I hear Bristol is huge and makes Peoria’s seem boring. Until I have the exciting opportunity to experience that though, this is a nice alternative. Don’t bash our humble villager celebrations.
What girl turns down a chance to dress up? – whether in a little black dress for a special night out, a bridesmaid dress, or a fancy gown from another era. For me, it may not be entirely accurate midieval-wear. And I’m fine with that. I like to dress up as characters I make up, from worlds that may be entirely different or fairly similar to our own.
Are You Going?
It’s this weekend. If you’re in the area, don’t miss it! Note that tickets are cheaper for those in costume 😉 If you’re not in the area, it may be time for a roadtrip (okay, not really – save your money and roadtrip to Bristol later.)
Will give an update here later on the event.
What About You?
Do you attend an Olde English Faire anywhere? Do you dress up?
