Superhero Festival

A few weeks ago, I started talking with people about the possibility of organizing a Superhero Festival (SuperFest?) here in Carbondale, IL this summer. Right now, my whole schedule is a big question mark because I'm waiting to hear back about a full-time job I recently applied for. If I get the job, I'll be short on time, but not money. If I don't get the job, I'll be short on money, but not time. Either way, I've decided to start organizing this Superhero Festival ASAP. Therefore, I'd like to know your thoughts on a few of the details, including any ways you'd like to be involved.

Here's what I have so far:

(1) Purpose. I'm organizing this for a few reasons. First of all, it'll be fun to have a big superhero-themed event here in Carbondale. Second, I'd like to use it as an opportunity to promote and fundraise for local community groups mentioned on my Causes page. Third, depending on my financial situation at the end of July, I'd like to do fundraising for my trip to Superheroes Anonymous 4, a gathering of Real Life Superheroes happening in Portland, Oregon in September.

(2) Date. Tentatively, I'd like to go for July 31. This gives over a month of prep time while still holding it before SIUC closes for intersession.

(3) Location. This is still up in the air. Current suggestions include Town Square Pavilion; the Civic Center; Gaia House Interfaith Center; Turley Park; and one of the ballrooms in the SIUC Student Center.

(4) Activities. Current suggestions: superhero costume contest; info tables for local community groups; kid's activities (games, drawing pictures of themselves as superheroes, learning about community involvement, etc.); a talk about what Real Life Superheroes are and how to make community involvement fun; live music; speakers during music intermission about ways to get involved in the community; and a raffle and other fundraising efforts for local community groups.

So, what do you think? I'm particularly interested in any suggestions you have about the above four points, or any help you'd like to offer in organizing the day's events.

If you'd like to get involved, please comment on the Note on my Facebook profile or contact me directly. Together, we can make this a fun, informative, and empowering Superhero Festival!