Why did the Jedi cross the road?

He was looking for the force of pop culture fans who will be congregating at NerdMania for the first time since 2019.

The Shepparton comic convention, like many events, met its demise during the COVID-19 pandemic, but has been resurrected this year.

Twenty-one-year-old Mylo Faisst was 14 at the last NerdMania.

It was the first NerdMania the Kyabram cosplayer had attended.

“Mum found out about it; I’d never heard of it before, then after we went, I said, ‘I can’t wait for next year,’” Mylo said.

“But it didn’t come. I got so sad about it not coming back.”

They have been cosplaying since they were 12, making their own costumes and seeking out pop culture events to show them off at.

This year’s NerdMania will feature two cosplay parades; one in the morning and one in the afternoon of the one-day event.

“I’m looking forward to walking around in my costume,” Mylo said.

Salvation Army North East Youth Services youth participation worker Jim Gow, who has organised this year’s event along with a youth committee of around eight, said there would be no competition attached to the parades.

“I don’t like winners and losers,” he said.

Mr Gow said the event would focus on inclusion.

Cosplay, short for costume play, sees fans of popular culture, including TV shows, cartoons, movies and comic books, dress as characters they admire.

Mr Gow said it often served as a creative outlet to help neurodiverse people and people who have mental health challenges funnel their energy into something comforting and creative.

Also catering to those who might be overstimulated in the crowd will be a silent cinema, where attendees can make themselves comfy on a beanbag, pop a pair of headphones on and watch family-friendly anime before rejoining the masses.

“This town has a huge focus on sport, which is okay if you’re into sport, but if not, what else is happening?” Mr Gow asked.

“That’s where this brings people together. The value of this event to the gaming, cosplaying, anime, TCG (trading card game), artists’ community is huge.

“You can love both football and Star Wars, but there’s not always a lot of crossover.”

Attendees can expect to find stalls, displays, visiting costume and gaming clubs, Dr Who’s Tardis, a learn-to-play-card-games area, youth services, food trucks and more at the August 29 event.

This year’s NerdMania has been funded by Greater Shepparton City Council and VicHealth.

“Without the seed funding provided by the Greater Shepparton City Council and VicHealth, this wouldn’t be happening,” Mr Gow said.

“I feel they recognise the value this event brings to the community.”

NerdMania will be held from 10am to 4pm on Saturday, August 29, at the Multipurpose Pavilion at the Shepparton Showgrounds.

Entry to the fully supervised, drug-, alcohol-, smoke- and vape-free event is via prepaid ticket, or at the door.

To purchase tickets in advance, visit: tinyurl.com/yheb62mp

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Tuesday, 11th September 2029

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