SRQCon brings pop culture fans together at Selby Library

By Ian Swaby
| 9:45 a.m. June 7, 2026

Cole Ralston and Aether Baskin enjoy the con experience.

Sarasota
Neighbors

There was more than reading material to check out at Selby Library on June 6.

Visitors dressed as characters from superheroes to anime icons filled the library as it hosted SRQCon.

Among those excited by the experience was Rodolfo Murillo, 18, who was attending his first comic convention.

"I've got to say, dude, this event has been phenomenal, spectacular, amazing — whatever words you could put before Spider-Man," he said. "The costume contest was amazing. I've been chatting to very nice folks. … It's a good environment, fun environment. A lot of people having fun."

His friend Jackson Velazquez, 18, said making the event free to the public offered the chance for people to connect.

"I feel like there should be more experiences like this for free, especially nowadays," he said. "It's a real treat to have something like this completely for free, so people can connect. Look at all these people going out and talking to each other."

He also said the convention offered something for a wide range of attendees.

The experience included panels, demonstrations, video games, an escape room, crafts, a cosplay contest and other activities and offerings.

"It could be a fun day for the family, a fun day for a couple. … It could just be anything for anyone, and that's, I feel, one of the best parts of these cons."

Ashley Giacchino and her Cambria Billings, 11, enjoy the event.

Misha Nell, Stephanie Rischard and Elizabeth Hall of ShimmyBOOM Bellydance offer a performance.

Noah Winter, 9, and Jack Taylor, 8, strike a Spider-Man pose.

Kristen Walker pulls a lever to create a button with help from Katie Dow, programs and partners managers for Sarasota County Libraries.

Esperanza Paulino shows her claws as Bowser.

Andrea Paulino looks at the costume of Graciella Paulino, 11.

Ashley Archer takes a look at Heidi Vavrik's Stitch.

Sara Miller hosts Victoria Scarfe, Greyson Podniestivanski, 7, and Joshua Schwochert at a table.

Children's success librarian Jenny Duckworth helps Uma Morilla, 5, create a button.

Nienna Nir and Renee Haggerty dressed as Princess Vespa and Barf from "Spaceballs."

Rodolfo Murillo and Jackson Velazquez dressed as The Crow and Hank Hill.

Tanner Wade, Sidnee White and Savanah White browse items at The Sarasota Music Archive.

Milo Harvey, 3, looks over a Lego display.

Stephen Cook, Emerson Cook, 6, Elliott Cook, 8 and Jennifer Cook create a set of buttons.

Owen Quinlin suits up in armor at the event.

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.