The Lee County Library System will host its second annual Fandom Fest as a free virtual celebration of fandoms and geek culture during October.

The virtual event will offer participants of all ages the opportunity to participate in cosplay, crafts, escape rooms, storytimes, reading challenges and trivia, along with numerous chances to win prizes.

Other highlights will include an online costume contest for all ages and pets and a virtual fandom art exhibition featuring local artists’ work in anime, manga and comic book styles.

The event marks the fifth year that the library system has celebrated comics and fandoms, from the original Comic Fest event at the Fort Myers Regional Library to last year’s live Fandom Fest.

“We felt that it was really important to keep the tradition going this year,” Programming and Community Outreach Manager Melissa Baker said. “Once we started reimagining the event going virtual, we realized we had so much to offer fans that we expanded the one-day event to a month-long celebration.”

The festival will include four themed weeks that offer a mixture of activities for all ages.

The fandom themes include:

* Oct. 4-10: Sword & Sorcery

* Oct. 11-17: Asian & Pop Culture

* Oct. 18-24: Space

* Oct. 25-31: Superheroes & Villains

Fans of Harry Potter, Disney, Star Wars, Marvel and more can enjoy cosplay DIY workshops, virtual princess parties, special Stay at Home Storytimes, Kahoot trivia, virtual escape rooms and video craft demos for children, teens and adults.

Participants can earn chances to win prizes by completing reading challenges and fandom-themed activities all month. Prizes will include a multi-purpose activity table, various fandom-themed LEGO sets, play tents, puzzles, books and more.

Grab, Go Craft Kits

Starting Oct. 1, Grab and Go Craft Kits will be available upon request for pick up at all branches of the Lee County Library System through curbside and in-branch service. Each kit will include a free comic book and supplies for all of the weekly craft programs. Limit one kit per person, while supplies last.

Online Costume Contest

The online costume contest is a free local competition that highlights the creativity and skills of the local cosplay community. Entries will be accepted Oct. 1-24, with the public online voting taking place Oct. 25-31. Participants who receive the highest total scores during the voting period will win the prize for their category.

Virtual Art Exhibit

As part of this year’s celebration, participants are invited to submit work throughout October for an all-ages virtual art exhibition featuring anime, manga and comic book style art. All artists participating in the exhibition will be automatically entered into a random prize drawing for an art supplies gift set.

For more information about Fandom Fest, visit County library system to host virtual Fandom Fest all monthwww.leelibrary.net/fandomfest.