Fandom Fest: From Ghostbusters to Cosplay, Westerly Library Celebrates All Things Fandom
At a Glance
What: Fandom Fest
When: Saturday, November 14, 2026
Time: 11 a.m.–2 p.m.
Location: Westerly Library, 44 Broad Street, Westerly, RI 02891
Featuring: Cosplay contest, Ghostbusters, Star Wars characters, manga art, video games, fantasy activities, and special effects makeup
Special Guests: Ghostbusters Auxiliary of Rhode Island, Mando Mercs Costume Club, Stonington Pride, cartoonist Cat Huang, and Elsa and Anna
Activities: Manga Creation Station, fan art gallery, figurine painting, cosplay mending station, console gaming, and scavenger hunt
Cosplay Contest: 1:30 p.m. in the Auditorium
Organizer: Westerly Library and Wilcox Park
Contact: (401) 596-2877
Event Description
Fandom Fest takes over Westerly Library on Saturday, November 14, with an afternoon dedicated to the characters, stories, games, and imaginary worlds that bring fans together. From 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., the library will host a collection of activities celebrating fantasy, comics, manga, video games, and cosplay, with special guests, creative workshops, and a costume contest.
Whether you’re a lifelong comic book fan, a devoted gamer, or someone who simply enjoys dressing up as a favorite character, the festival offers plenty of opportunities to join the fun.
A Library Full of Heroes, Villains, and Fantasy Worlds
Forget the usual quiet afternoon at the library. Fandom Fest invites visitors to explore different rooms filled with costumed characters, artwork, gaming activities, and hands-on projects.
The Ghostbusters Auxiliary of Rhode Island will be among the participating groups, bringing a little supernatural excitement to the celebration. Fans of Star Wars can also meet members of the Mando Mercs Costume Club, an organization whose members create and wear Mandalorian-inspired costumes.
Stonington Pride will participate in the festivities, adding to the event’s celebration of creativity and community.
Visitors interested in tabletop fantasy games can try painting miniature Dungeons & Dragons figures, while those drawn to Japanese comics can explore manga-inspired activities.
Manga, Fan Art, and Creative Workshops
The Terrace Room will feature a Manga Creation Station led by Cat Huang, a Providence-based cartoonist, educator, and art director.
Participants can explore manga illustration and character creation while learning from a working artist.
The Pop-Up at Coy will become a Manga Café and Fan Art Gallery, offering another gathering place for visitors who enjoy illustrated storytelling and artwork inspired by their favorite characters.
For those interested in theatrical transformations, the Old Main Reading Room will host a special effects makeup workshop.
The room will also feature a ramen noodle bar dining area, adding a food-themed gathering space to the day’s activities.
Princesses, Video Games, and a Cosplay Contest
Young fans of Disney’s Frozen can meet Elsa and Anna during a princess meet-and-greet in the Auditorium from 11 a.m. to noon.
Beginning at noon, the Auditorium will feature a Playable Console Museum, giving gaming enthusiasts an opportunity to explore video game systems and their history.
A scavenger hunt drop-off will also be available during this period.
Visitors planning to enter the cosplay contest can register in the Makerspace, where a cosplay mending station will be available for costume adjustments and last-minute repairs.
At 1:30 p.m., the Auditorium becomes the center of attention as the cosplay contest begins.
The contest gives participants an opportunity to show off their costumes, whether they’ve spent weeks assembling an elaborate character outfit or put together a creative interpretation of a favorite fictional personality.
Something for Every Kind of Fan
One of the attractions of Fandom Fest is the variety of interests represented throughout the library.
Comic book enthusiasts can enjoy the costumed characters and fan art. Gamers can explore the console museum. Fantasy fans can try miniature painting, while aspiring artists can experiment with manga creation.
For families, the princess meet-and-greet and creative activities provide opportunities for younger visitors to participate.
The event also offers a chance to meet others who share similar interests, discover a new hobby, or simply enjoy the imagination and craftsmanship behind fan culture.
Fandom Fest Schedule
11 a.m.–1:15 p.m.
Terrace Room
- Ghostbusters Auxiliary of Rhode Island
- Mando Mercs Costume Club
- Stonington Pride
- Miniature Dungeons & Dragons figurine painting
- Manga Creation Station with Cat Huang
The Pop-Up at Coy
- Manga Café
- Fan Art Gallery
Old Main Reading Room
- Ramen Noodle Bar Dining Area
- Special Effects Makeup Workshop
Makerspace
- Cosplay contest registration
- Cosplay mending station
11 a.m.–Noon
Auditorium
- Princess Meet-and-Greet with Elsa and Anna
Noon–1:15 p.m.
Auditorium
- Playable Console Museum
- Scavenger Hunt Drop-Off
1:30 p.m.
Auditorium
- Cosplay Contest Begins
Planning Your Visit
Fandom Fest takes place Saturday, November 14, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Westerly Library in downtown Westerly.
Activities will be spread throughout the building, so visitors can move between rooms and choose the programs that interest them.
Those interested in entering the cosplay contest should visit the Makerspace to register before the 1:30 p.m. competition.
The event announcement does not specify admission fees, activity costs, or whether advance registration is required for individual workshops. Visitors should contact the library for additional information.
From recognizable movie characters to handmade costumes and interactive gaming, Fandom Fest brings together several corners of popular culture for one afternoon of creativity and fun.
Featured image is an artistic representation inspired by the event and may not depict the actual people, location, or activities shown.