SRQCon hosts all things pop culture at Selby Library

Cosplayers flocked to the event, which featured vendors, crafts and an escape room.

By Ian Swaby
| 8:30 p.m. June 8, 2024

Robert Winkle, Lori Goldmeier and Geoff Martz

Sarasota
Neighbors

A year ago, Cathy English discovered some exciting news in an email from the local library.

“We were like, ‘Oh, a comic con. We don’t have to go to Tampa,” she said.

On June 8, for the second year in a row, she was present with her grandson Damon Garcia, 9, at SRQCon, Selby Library's annual pop culture event.

Last year, Garcia dressed as Harry Potter, and this year, he came as a Slytherin Quidditch player, a broomstick in hand.

The event saw plenty of cosplayers in attendance and included vendors, authors, local organizations and presenters as well as activities like crafts, an escape room and a costume contest.

The experience gave fellow pop culture fans of the area an opportunity to connect.

“I love it; it’s right in our backyard,” said Heidi Vavrik. “It’s fun to socialize with the other cosplayers, and we get to meet a bunch of new people too.”

It also offered an entertaining experience for families and their children.

“We love the library,” said Daovone Howe. “There’s so much fun stuff to do, and the environment, I feel, is comfortable and safe for the children."

Zarhya Jurado, 14, a self-taught crochet artist, sold her items at the event. “It’s pretty cool to see people’s reactions to my work,” she said. “I’m definitely going to be doing more markets.”

Some decor enhances the escape room at the event.

Leander How, 3, and Artemis Howe, 6, play with a Lego earthquake shake table.

Donald Robertson II takes a turn in the costume contest as "God of Marvel," with Nienna Nir of Tampa Bay Area Cosplayers & Costumers hosting.

Joseph Daniel and Michele Apostalou of Sunny Geeks talk with Michael Katzman of Mysterium Escape Rooms & VR

Trinity Lemurian, 13, takes a turn in the costume contest, dressed as a Ghostbuster.

Helena Kushner, 13, Nova Myhill and Ursula Kushner look at the crochet items by Zarhya Jurado

Camden Dillon, 8, works on the puzzles in the escape room.

Damon Garcia, 9, won first place in the children's costume contest for his costume of a Slytherin.

author

Ian Swaby

Ian Swaby is the Sarasota neighbors writer for the Observer. Ian is a Florida State University graduate of Editing, Writing, and Media and previously worked in the publishing industry in the Cayman Islands.