The 6th annual Cleveland Geekster will be held in the Cleveland State Community College gymnasium on Sept. 21 from 10 a.m.-5 p.m.
"Cleveland Geekster is the premiere local event to find the comic books, vintage toys, art, movie memorabilia and pop culture collectibles loved by geeks," organizers said. "With nearly 1,000 people attending each year, Geekster features more than 40 vendors with huge assortments of things that make geeks smile. Attendance grows each year, and the event has become a tradition for people all across the area, which is something founders Ashley Raburn, Rob Alderman and Ryan Faricelli are proud of."
“Venders come from all over the United States to sell at Geekster,” stated Ms.
Raburn. “It’s a testament to our great community that an event like this can be so successful and become the kind of show that vendors go out of their way to put on their schedules.”
"Geekster has become one of the premier toy and comic shows in the Southeast, and the founders love how Cleveland has embraced the event," officials said. "Last year, Mayor Kevin Brooks attended, reading a proclamation from the stage naming the day of the event Geek Day in Cleveland."
“We love Cleveland,” Mr. Alderman said. “Hosting Geekster allows us to give back to our community by providing an opportunity for people to get out and have a lot of fun together. It works, because we have a line out the door before we open, and the event stays full of people all day long.”
"From the beginning, Geekster was designed to be a local event that is fun for people of all ages. The founders wanted to give families something fun to do on a Saturday afternoon, and that isn’t going to change," organizers said.
“All three of us have kids,” said Mr. Alderman. “It was important for us that this be an event where everyone is welcome, and where age isn’t a restriction. Geekster is a place you can bring your kids without fear.”
Cleveland Geekster also selects a local charity to sponsor each year. All of the vendors donate a small toy or collectible item and tickets are sold for $1 throughout the entire day for a chance to win. The winner receives every item collected.
“The city has been good to us,” said Mr. Faricelli. “We have to be good stewards of that and give back. Our charity table has helped Oak Grove Elementary School, our local Alzheimer’s Association Walk to End Alzheimer’s, Karis Dental and the Cleveland State art department.”
Tickets for Cleveland Geekster are available at the door for $5 for adults. Children 12 and younger are free. The gymnasium at Cleveland State is located at 3535 Adkisson Dr. NW in Cleveland.
More information can be found on Facebook at www.facebook.com/clevelandgeekster or by emailing clevelandgeekster@gmail.com.