Posted on 29 April 2026 by Chris Brown.
When asked what’s new this year at Medicine Hat Public Library Comic Con, it takes Stephanie Kuhn and few moments to gather her thoughts.
It’s a long list, and topping that list is Artist Alley.
“Think of it kind of like a geeky farmers’ market,” Kuhn says of the close to 20 vendors that will fill the library’s lower level hallway at Library Comic Con No. 3 on Saturday, May 2, from 10 a.m.-4 p.m.
Kuhn, the youth and community librarian and the organizer of Comic Con, says being able to buy collectibles and mementos is a major feature of larger gatherings like the last weekend’s Calgary Expo.
“It's just a great way to meet new people who have the same interest as you and enjoy your area of comic and fandom interest and to buy some merch to celebrate that,” she says.
Also new this year is a suite of drop-in workshops in the afternoon, including Costume Armour 101 at 3 p.m. led by special cosplay guest Winter.
“They're a very experienced cosplayer who's won many awards, and so they're coming down to teach people how to make foam armour to elevate their costume making,” Kuhn says.
Experienced local cosplayer Miss Kali leads Cosplay: Playing Into Good Health at 1 p.m. and Louise, the owner of local company Sew Necessary, will lead Pattern Making 101 at 2 p.m. Anyone can attend the workshops but they are geared toward teens and adults. For kids ages 7-12 years there will be Super Villain Craft Time with Harley Quinn in the Story Castle at 2 p.m. and 3 p.m.
Our extremely popular Costume Contest takes place in the Library Theatre at 11 a.m. with categories and prizes for Children (11 years old and under) Tweens/Teens (12-17 years old), and Adults (18+). In-person sign-ups will be allowed but pre-registration is encouraged. Idol Dance performer Brooke YXH will provide pre-show and intermission entertainment.
Other highlights for the day are free comic books, the popular Comic Con troupe Those Fallout Guys, a Board Game Lounge, a Magic the Gathering Room, a Video Game Room, Faith Paints by Katrina, A Superhero Scavenger Hunt, and Medieval Demonstrations by the Shire of Sandeshend from the Society of Creative Anachronism.
And there’s no excuse for you not to spend the entire day here, says Kuhn.
To keep you fed, there will be a free barbecue provided by Save-On-Foods from noon until 4 p.m. To keep you cool, Kona Ice will be here from 10 a.m. until 3 p.m., and what’s even cooler is they’ll be donating 15 per cent of sales to the library. Millie’s Soda & Sweets is also set to be on-site for your refreshment needs.
For anyone who hasn’t attended an MHPL Comic Con, Kuhn says it’s basically a miniature version of a big city Con but much more accessible and affordable.
“We are so excited to bring the Medicine Hat geeky community together under one roof to make amazing memories for years to come,” says Kuhn.
Follow the library on social media: @mhpubliclibrary