Nerd Force Fan Fest
All Photos by South Jersey Local’s Hannah D’Aquila
This weekend saw an invasion of Rowan University’s campus – an invasion of nerds!
The college’s student center played host to a recently formed local fan convention – Nerd Force Fan Fest, which saw a slew of local vendors, cosplay contests and other features, all with a heavy focus on everything nerdy and pop culture.
This is the second year for the convention, hence the Episode 2: The Return of the Nerds sub-title. It’s also the second year the event was held in Glassboro, but the first time it took place at Rowan.
The event was created by area resident Adam Brooks and his wife Lisa, who said the new venue at Rowan proved to be a perfect choice. She said her husband felt there was a need in our area for a time and place to truly celebrate nerd culture.
“Adam wanted a place where nerds would want to come, and where every type of nerd feels safe and represented,” she said.
And represented they were, with kids and adults out in force (Nerd Force that is) dressed up as their favorite characters from all kinds of genres and subject areas.
The day’s winner in the Kids’ Cosplay Contest was Lawrence Maines of Millville, who was recognized for his Darkwing Duck costume. The winner in the adult division was the duo of Serena Ho and Luis Combe, who brought Chainsaw Man to life.
Winners in the contest were awarded with prizes donated by the many vendors involved with the show.
Some of the vendors we chatted with during our visit included comic book artist Vaughn Coleman, 3D print artist Sean Logue, Debbie Primiano of Black Cat Baubles with their jewelry creations, The Ghostbusters of New Jersey, Rondee DeFalco of Rondee Productions, showing off her puppet creations, Aidan Quinn of the Faerie Warrior, with her art booth, and father and son Chad and Colton Rockhill from Crane Customs Halloween props.
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