Tenn. —Comic books, vintage toys, artwork and pop culture will once again take over Cleveland State Community College as Cleveland Geekster returns for its 13th year
The one-day event is set for Aug. 15 at the college’s gymnasium and will feature nearly 50 vendors offering everything from comic books and action figures to artwork, crafts and collectibles.
Organizers say the event has grown significantly since its debut.
“We started at a small venue that was an old movie theater,” organizer Ryan said. “We had like 300 people come through, and we thought this was the biggest success ever.”
Today, Cleveland Geekster fills the entire gymnasium at Cleveland State Community College and draws about 1,300 visitors.
“It’s packed,” Ryan said. “It’s a really busy six hours.”
Organizers say one of the event’s biggest draws is the variety of items available, including vintage toys from the 1970s, ’80s and ’90s, modern collectibles and original artwork from local artists.
“It’s part of the fun,” Ryan said. “Toys are toys. They’re always toys, and even when we’re adults, we remember. We have good memories of them.”
The event also includes a charity raffle benefiting Foundation House, a Cleveland nonprofit that provides services and shelter for survivors of domestic violence.
Each vendor donates an item to the raffle, giving attendees a chance to win dozens of prizes while supporting the organization.
“We’re a local show, and we want to give back,” Ryan said.
Organizers say the raffle typically raises between $500 and $1,000 for the featured nonprofit.
