Ka-pow! CAPE Con is swooping back into Aurora for its 6th annual celebration of comics, cosplay, and community! On Saturday, August 30, the Aurora Public Library District will once again transform into a hub of heroes, gamers, and pop culture fans. And the best part? It’s free, it’s fun, and it’s right in your own backyard.
For many fans, the dream of attending a big fandom convention like the Chicago Comic & Entertainment Expo (C2E2) or San Diego’s Comic-Con can feel out of reach. Tickets, travel, and costs add up faster than The Flash! That’s why CAPE Con is so special: it brings the excitement home. “CAPE Con brings Aurora together over shared interests and inspires the exploration of APLD’s collections,” says Event and Program Coordinator, Ali. “It connects fandoms to resources right here in Aurora.”
Past attendees are amazed to meet professional cosplayers, paint role-playing game (RPG) miniatures, and try video game designing—all for FREE at their local library. And some praise has been downright heroic. “At last year’s event, I casually mentioned to a group of cosplayers that I have a dream of making CAPE Con as big as C2E2,” said event organizer, Elliot. “They stopped me and said ‘No, you don’t want to be like C2E2, CAPE Con is already better’. They really appreciated the personal attention and care that we put into our planning.” There is a need for a space where people can be themselves and have fun without worrying about what others think of them. That’s what CAPE Con consistently brings to our Aurora community.
This year’s CAPE Con promises to be bigger, bolder, and more action-packed than ever! Kids can dive into beloved favorites like the Superhero Storytime, Pokémon Meetup, and character dance party (this year’s special guest is Stitchy). And of course, the beloved Cosplay Fashion Show is back. “Last year had so many brilliant costumes worn by customers of all ages, and everyone had a fantastic time,” Elliot shares. “I can’t wait to see what people bring this year.” Teens and adults can level up with new events like the Five Nights at Freddy’s read-along and a Magic: The Gathering meetup. Another new addition is the Sumo Robots in the Atrium made possible by the Wong Center for Education! The Atrium is the not-so-secret headquarters of CAPE Con with tables of free comic books, giveaways, crafts, community partners, and free-play arcade cabinets provided by YeTee Station. There really is something for heroes and sidekicks alike.
The time is now! Assemble your squad, dust off that costume, and mark your calendar! CAPE Con 2025 is Saturday, Aug. 30 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Santori Library. It’s a day to celebrate comics, games, cosplay, and most of all —community. For more information, visit our events page www.aurorapubliclibrary.org/events or contact the library at 630-264-4117. Adventure awaits… to the Batmobile!
Andrea Tiberi is the communications coordinator for the Aurora Public Library District.