Today's Third Annual Mana-Con Convention Has More for Teens

The Central Library will host its 3rd Annual Mana-Con: Comics Convention, beginning at 11 a.m. today and featuring local comic shops The Comic Shack, Anime Fix, artists and crafters.

The convention is designed to keep teens reading by combining a passion for animation, arts and games with reading. This is a chance for teens and kids to make art, play games, win prizes, show off costumes, and have a blast! Adults are welcome too!

Teens are encouraged to get creative at the Doodle Booth, origami station, or duct tape station. Learn about the history of comics and the library’s large graphic novel and manga collection, which will be on display and avail­able for check-out. 

Face painting will be available from 11 am to 2 pm (teens will be given priority). Get your face painted if you are entering the costume contest sponsored by the Friends of the Central Library and the Manatee Players. 

There will be prizes for best costumes an iPod Nano for first place. Be sure to check out the rules before you go: Cosplay Runway Rules

See a martial arts demontsration and experience elements of Japanese culture, like Kimono displays courtesy of the Manatee Sarasota Kimono Club, and kanji writing. DOJO Martial arts will also be there.

Enter the Comic Strip Contest at Mana-Con to show what the library means to the teen community. Entry forms will be available when doors open and judging will be Saturday afternoon.  1st place: iPod Touch, 2nd place: Comic Book Kit, 3rd place: Sharpie set.

The first 100 teen and kid attendees will receive goodie bags filled with candy, comic discussion guides, glow bracelets, stickers, pencils and a custom "Igeek" button.

Everyone will receive a free comic and/or poster while supplies last.