ROBINSON, Ill. (WTWO/WAWV) — A Nerd Convention is coming to the Robinson Illinois Community Center and is offering a whole day full of fun events.
Those interested in comics, Dungeons and Dragons, video game tournaments, improv, horror films, Nerf guns, and more are welcome to participate and have fun at this all-day event. After taking a couple of years of hiatus due to the pandemic, NerdCon is back in full swing with a packed schedule of events, speakers, prizes, games, and more.
This year’s NerdCon will be held at the Robinson Illinois Community Center on Saturday, April 1 from 11:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. with a $5 entry fee.
What started as a single Nerd Day back in 2012 has developed into a full Nerd Convention. Gil T. Wilson and Joe Myers, the hosts of the 2023 NerdCon, working throughout the years to provide a place and an event for the people in the Robinson, Illinois community to come together and enjoy multiple fun events.
Starting the convention as a passion project, Wilson and Myers said their families are chipping in to work at the con and help make it happen, including Myers’ daughter’s Girl Scout troop, which will be a vendor at this year’s NerdCon.
“I’ve been taking my son to cons all around like Saint Louis, Indianapolis, Chicago, Louisville, and I was like ‘why do I have to go somewhere for a con, why can’t we have one here’ so around 2014 I think it was we decided ‘hey let’s do a nerd con. Go big or go home, forget about this nerd day, let’s do a con,’ and it turned out to be pretty successful,” Wilson said.
Myers and Wilson also discussed many great door prizes that will be available like framed posters, signed horror films, and Nerd cash, which is a currency made for NerdCon that can only be used during the convention and can only be put towards purchasing items from the vendors at the convention.
“The formula is simple. It’s just copying the convention, bringing it into our local hometown to where people don’t have to drive three or four hours to go to a convention. That’s the idea,” Wilson explained.
Wilson and Myers also credited the success of the event to their many sponsors, including Terror Cards, the Nerd Up podcast, and 101.7 WTYE.
While NerdCon 2023 will have a ton of opportunities for fun, Wilson and Myers noted that plans for next year’s con are already in the works.
“Whatever money comes in from the door, that’s going to all go to next year’s show and I’ve got celebrity ideas of people I want to bring in. There might be some pretty interesting celebrities to come into our little, small town and make it an even bigger convention next year,” said Wilson.
The schedule of events for 2023 NerdCon is as follows:
- 11:00 a.m. | Doors open
- The 2023 NerdCon will begin! People can enjoy exploring all the fun events and exhibits offered throughout the day
- 12:00 p.m. | 1st D&D Session (for novice players)
- Game masters will provide all the needed materials. This session is intended for players who are new to the game.
- 2:00 p.m. | Super Smash Bros. Ultimate Tourney
- Wired controllers will be provided. Players cannot change the configurations.
- 4:00 p.m. | 2nd D&D session (for veteran players)
- Game masters will provide all the needed materials. This session is intended for players who are familiar with the game and are seasoned players
- 6:00 p.m. | S’MORE Improv Comedy
- Enjoy some nerdy-themed comedy performed by the S’MORE Improv Comedy troop
- 7:00 p.m. | Doors close
- The 2023 NerdCon will end at 7:00 p.m. but there are big plans for next year
For more information about events, vendors, and more, visit the NerdCon Facebook page.
