Marshall County Public Library's 2026 Mini-Con
Get your geek on and fuel your fandom with this free event! Join us on Saturday, July 11th, 2026 at MCPL for our 3rd annual Mini-Con!
MCPL's Mini-Con will be everything you love about a larger con in a setting that you know and love...your local library!
Check out our schedule, discussion panelists, authors, vendors, artists, food trucks, and other guests!
Schedule of Events
We may continue to update this page up until the day of the convention. Please check back for the latest details!
Some events listed below will be for children and some will be more advanced for teens and adults. During the con, check your handout for more details or ask a staff member about specific events.
10am - 4pm (All Day)
- Button Making (MCAC)
- Face Painting (Middle Section of First Floor)
- Dragon Hatchery (Middle Section of First Floor)
- Madam Juniper's Crystal Corner (Middle Section of First Floor)
- Realm of Relaxation (Learning Lab)
- Quest Board (Lobby)
- Tabletop games (KY Reference Room)
- Retro Games (Birdsong Study Room)
- Fandom Flick (Teen Area)
- Door Prizes (Lobby)
- Goblin Market (Meeting Rooms A & B)
10am - 10:45am
- Kingdom Builders (Youth Program Room)
10:15am - 11am
- Cosplay Registration and Judging (MCAC)
11am - 11:30am
- Monster Says (Youth Program Room)
11:15am - 12pm
- Cosplay Contest (MCAC)
11:45am - 12:30pm
- Mystic Sands Apothecary (Youth Program Room)
12:45pm - 2:45pm
- Miniature Masters: Fantasy Figure Painting (Youth Program Room)
1pm - 1:30pm
- Fan Art Fundamentals with Allie West (MCAC)
1:45pm - 2:15pm
- Bringing Your Props to Life with Green River Ghostbusters (MCAC)
2:30pm - 3:30pm
- Zine-O-Mania with Organization of Murray Art Students (MCAC)
3pm - 3:45pm
- Logo Showdown (Youth Program Room)
JJ Park
Erin R. Howard
Nan Simpson
Night Vision Paranormal
West KY Wizarding Events
ANW Art and Design
Little Fish Creations
Willow Wood Wands
Registration is required and will be held from 10:15am-11am at the Marshall County Arts Center. You must be in costume to register! A portion of the judging will take place upon registration.
Judging criteria will be rated on a 1-5 scaled and will include the following...
- Accuracy - resemblance of cosplay in it's entirety to the intended character
- Craftsmanship - quality of craftsmanship of entire cosplay, including sewing, prop construction, wig, accessories, etc.
- Difficulty/Complexity - attention to detail with respect to original character's design complexity and difficulty
- Portrayal - resemblance of cosplayer to original character, in-character acting, and character knowledge
The contest will be divided into three age brackets. Kids: 0-12 years old, Teens: 13-17 years old, Adults: 18 or older. The winners of each category will receive an honorary medal, which was made in the library's makerspace.
After registering, stick around because the contest is from 11:15am-12pm!
Check our Facebook page for more info!
Allie West
Allie West is a 29-year-old artist from Calvert City, known for her bold colors and cartoony style. Allie has had the opportunity to learn from her personal heroes and legendary Disney animators like Aaron Blaise and Tom and Tony Bancroft. She works as a freelance artist and specializes in fanart and character design. A former cosplayer, Allie loves DC comics and often draws her favorite heroines (and villains!)
Fanart Fundamentals
Join Allie for an inspiring and beginner-friendly dive into the world of fanart! In Fanart Fundamentals, she’ll break down the core essentials of creating art inspired by your favorite characters, from understanding references and proportions to adding your own creative flair. Whether you’re just starting out or looking to grow your skills, this session will also explore how to develop your unique artistic style while staying true to the characters you love. Packed with practical tips, creative insight, and encouragement, this is a must-attend for any aspiring fan artist!
Green River Ghostbusters
Bringing Your Props to Life
Take your cosplay to the next level with Bringing Your Props to Life! This easy, beginner-friendly demo will walk you through simple techniques to transform your props from basic builds into realistic, eye-catching pieces. Learn how to add depth, wear, and character with lifelike weathering, as well as tips for painting, detailing, and presentation that make your props stand out. Whether you’re new to prop-making or looking to refine your skills, this session is packed with practical tricks to help your creations look like they came straight out of your favorite worlds.
Organization of Murray Art Students (OMAS)
OMAS is the Organization of Murray Art Students & widely recognized as OMAS. We are a student-run organization that cultivates a strong community of Murray State Art & Design students and faculty. OMAS is responsible for organizing stimulating events throughout the school year in order to get Murray art students involved in student exhibitions, educational experiences, and community-building.
Zine-O-Mania!
Get ready to unleash your creativity in Zine-O-Mania! Start by watching a live demonstration on how to construct your very own zine, including tips on cutting, folding, and designing. Then, dive in yourself with hands-on guidance from members of OMAS, who will provide all the supplies and expert advice you need. By the end of the session, you’ll have a one-of-a-kind zine to take home and show off!