Second annual Camas Comic Con event returns

The Second annual Camas Comic Con returns this week with a host of comics-related activities. The comic-themed First Friday festivities will run from 5 to 8 p.m. Friday, Aug. 2, throughout downtown Camas.

Dress up like a favorite comic character and start the evening with a stop at the Downtown Camas Association’s table inside Journey Church (304 N.E. Fourth Ave.) to pick up a “Fandom Fun” passport, then head out to play trivia games and solve puzzles at participating merchants to be entered into a drawing for prizes.

The “early birds” will get the worm — or, rather a comic con lanyard for the first 300 visitors and a free copy of the graphic novel, “Star Beasts,” for the first 50 children.

The PDX Ghostbusters, a donation-based charity cosplay group, will bring their Ecto-1S, a replica of the Ghostbusters’ car, and will host a slime-making activity for children and adults from 5 to 8 p.m. at 4Ever Growing Kids consignment boutique (440 N.E. Fourth Ave.).

Hosted by the Downtown Camas Association (DCA), the monthly First Fridays in downtown Camas are family friendly events that feature after-hours shopping and dining, art gallery receptions and themed activities for all ages.

DCA organizers said last year’s inaugural Camas Comic Con “exceeded all expectations.”

“We can’t wait to bring it back for a second year,” DCA Event Manager Leah Nichelson stated in a news release about the August First Friday comic con-themed event. “Seeing all the different fandoms unite and share their passions is very heartwarming. From Anime to Star Wars, Disney to Ghostbusters, Marvel to Doctor Who, there’s a fan for every pop culture phenomenon, and we want them all to come and geek out together in downtown Camas for Camas Comic Con First Friday.”

Nichelson said that, with “amazing art shows, after-hours shopping and live music,” the August First Friday is sure to have “something for everyone.”

Other First Friday activities include:

A creative corner inside Fuel Medical (314 N.E. Birch St.) where participants can create Kawaii (Japanese for “cute”) thumbprint characters and learn from local comic book artist Samuel Staples. The DCA also will host a lobby inside Fuel Medical where people can trade fandom pins. Participants will receive five free fandom pins to trade or keep.

Photo opportunities with the 501st Star Wars Legion of Oregon and Gamora from “Guardians of the Galaxy” and a life-sized TARDIS from “Doctor Who,” which will be parked in front of the Liberty Theatre (315 N.E. Fourth Ave.)

Ribbon-cuttings and grand opening celebrations at two new businesses in the recently remodeled Adeline building: at Artizen Acupuncture (540 N.E. Cedar St.) and at Donna Roberts Group (403 N.E. Fifth Ave.)