ReadCon returns for 2015 on September 12th. Sponsored by the High Plains Library District (HPLD), ReadCon is an annual celebration of reading and literacy featuring author talks, writing workshops, cosplay, activities, crafts and beer. Think Woodstock in a world run by quirky librarians. This is HPLD’s third annual ReadCon, and we promise it will be anything but a quiet affair. There will be no shushing here.
The event centers on Zoe’s Café in downtown Greeley and spans the downtown area with a large scale scavenger hunt and events at The Nerd Store and the Lincoln Park Library. Attendees will get the buzz on hot titles of 2015 as well as sneak peeks at new titles that haven’t yet hit the shelves. A matchmaking robot connects readers to their new favorite titles. A miniature RenFest takes place at the Lincoln Park Library. And there are wandering storm troopers, Dr. Who references, Shakespearian quotations, a life-size R2-D2 robot and other pop culture cameos to surprise and delight.
To put the Read in ReadCon this year, local Greeley author John Daly launches his new book Blood Trade and signs copies. Aspiring and experienced writers are welcome to attend workshops with award-winning author Connie Willis and Colorado Poet Laureate Joseph Hutchison. Workshop attendees will have the opportunity to learn from established authors as well as to connect with other local writers. It is the perfect way to prepare for the ensuing National Novel Writing Month which takes place in November.
Festivities begin at 3 p.m.; early arrivals may stop by the Lincoln Park Library at 2 p.m. for RenFest fun and to pick up scavenger hunt checklists. The event runs into the evening capping off with Books and Brews at Zoe’s. Participants get to meet authors and talk books while sampling choice beers from some of our local breweries.
So what’s the point of ReadCon? Simple. Aficionados of every conceivable hobby enjoy gathering together to celebrate their passion with like-minded others. From its conception in 2013, ReadCon has been a convention style event to celebrate one of the most universal and established hobbies of all — reading! This free-to-attend event is geared to enthusiastic readers and writers, to explore new genres, refine their skills, indulge in bookcentric events… and basically just geek out over reading!
Librarians know that the first step in literacy is learning that there is something valuable in books; something for every person individually. Storytimes (be they from the library or just at home) are a crucial step to get children excited about reading. That excitement is not just for children. Reading is for everybody, and it’s okay to get excited about it. More than okay, it’s awesome! Come experience the awesomeness of reading. That’s what ReadCon is all about.