Mana-Con Returns to Central Library October 24

MANATEE COUNTY – The sixth annual Mana-Con Comics Convention returns to the downtown Central Library Saturday, October 24. The event will once again include fun activities related to comics, graphic novels, anime, manga, video games, TV shows and movies.

Mana-Con has become an increasingly popular event with attendance nearing 1,500 last year. The library says it is by far the most popular program it offers.

This year’s theme is Doctor Who, the long-running BBC series. There will be a replica of The Doctor’s time and space machine, along with a replica a blue Police Call Box, referred to as a TARDIS (Time And Relative Dimension In Space).

The Real Tampa Bay Ghostbusters will also be in attendance. The promo video for Mana-Con, which was produced by Manatee County’s video journalist and Central Library staff, filmed a scene where a Ghostbuster was sucked into another dimension and called upon the Doctor to get him back to Mana-Con 2015. Doctor Who fans will understand the Ghostbusters and Doctor Who correlation, as Ghostbusters movie references were made in a few more recent episodes.

New Mana-Con activities include a DJ Dance Party, a kids’ Star Wars-themed Cantina, a Manga CafŽ, a portrait studio, where guests can get a professional photo and have it emailed to them, and collaborative art projects.

Returning favorites include the Jedi Training Camp, Go! Go! Robot Lounge for Teens, Cosplay Runway, photo opportunities with Star War characters and superheroes, Dojo martial arts demonstrations and amazing goodie bags. Local student art will also be on display.

Prizes will be awarded for Cosplay Runway contestants who exhibit the most creativity and craftsmanship, the Grand Prize being an iPad Mini with an AirPort Express and a $50 iTunes gift card.

Mana-Con is a FREE event sponsored by the Friends of the Central Library, as well as the Friends of the Braden River, Island, Palmetto, Rocky Bluff and South Manatee Libraries.

"We’re grateful to all six of our Friends Groups who have continued to make this event possible. It has something that people of all ages can enjoy," said Ericka Dow, Information Services Manager. "It’s wonderful that anyone in our community has the opportunity to attend this fun event without having to worry about an associated cost.“

Vendors include The Comic Shack; Tytan Comics; I Love Japan Craft, a group of Japanese origami masters who donate proceeds to tsunami and earthquake relief efforts; Candy from Japan; Comic Conversions; Southeast VPA; Doku Productions; Grandma Thunderpants; Three Little Beans; Sakura Otaku; Glitter Stitch; Star in My Pocket, Britelites and more.

Food trucks will be available by DaVinci’s Gelato and Taste Time, with other vendors selling pastries and packaged snacks from Japan. Mana-Con’s hours are 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. The Central Library is located at 1301 Barcarrota Boulevard West, Bradenton 34205 (at Riverwalk). For more information, call the library at (941) 748-5555.