Geek Out at the Kent Nerd Party, brought to you by The Game Shelf!

Get ready for the Kent Nerd Party, where downtown Kent transforms into the ultimate haven for nerds!

The Nerd Party is a street-wide event with a cosplay contest, Lego museum, LARP games, outdoor vendors, and more.

All nerds are welcome—whether you love science fiction, fantasy, horror, anime, gaming, or one of the other innumerable geeky pursuits!

 

Get your free tickets here 

 

Discounted Hotel Rates

Book your stay at BestWestern.com for 25% off when you use code “NERD” under “Promotional” when choosing rates.

Special Guests & Signings

Melanie Kohn

Melanie Kohn was the voice of Lucy in Peanuts from 1974 to 1977!

Jeff Grubb 
Jeff Grubb is a co-author of worlds such as the Forgotten Realms and Dragonlance. He has written novels for Star Wars, Warcraft, and Magic The Gathering. He was the writer of the Forgotten Realms from DC. He designed RPGs, boardgames, and computer games.

Stan!

Stan! has worked for Wizards of the Coast, TSR Inc., Upper Deck Entertainment, and has done the English adaptation for more than 100 manga volumes for Viz Media. He’s the author of novels, short stories, children’s books, coloring books, comic books, and enough single-panel cartoons to wallpaper a small house.

 

Drew Huff

Drew Huff is an author and cover artist known for his fast-paced, action-driven fiction that blends horror, science fiction, and darkly comedic elements. His work is celebrated for unique concepts, imaginative worlds, and memorable characters, often with a mix of body horror, family drama, and surreal twists.

 

Kimberly Wheelock

Speculative and dark fiction author. Her recent book Wonderland is a post-apocalyptic thriller centered on a hiker trapped in Mount Rainier National Park after an extinction level pandemic.

 

M.T. Zimmy
Author of a YA superhero trilogy (The Apex Cycle) as well as half a YA portal fantasy duology (The Skalterra Duology) that will hopefully be a full duology by Nerd Party 2026.

 

Heather Greye

Science Fiction Romance books. The Stroke of Midnight series (Midnight’s Pawn, Midnight’s Captive, Midnight’s Queen) are cyberpunk set in near-future Seattle The Fortune’s Favor series are spaceship set stories (Stolen Stars, Stolen Chances (spring 2026))

R.K. Devon

Writer of a fantasy romance series debuting early 2025. You can also find her work in “The Tongue is Sharp: An Anthology of Feminine Rage”.

 

Arledge Comics

Small comic press with a new book coming out this spring titled Nezbrael’s Legacy, which is a D&D flavored adventure graphic novel with big Greek myth vibes.

 

Travis Corwin

Self-published comics and graphic novels set in an interconnected sci-fi/fantasy world.

 

 

 

JD Davenport
Metaerie fantasy fiction, Metaerie Magic Tabletop Role Playing Game (premiered at Emerald City Comic Con March 2026) out soon, Tainted Patriot poetry collections

 

 

Walsh Wettengle

Walsh Wettengle creates tales that cross dimensions, where the fantastical and foreboding collide. Author of “Absinthe & Iron Cages” and “Snowman”.

 

 

Kasandra Davis, Mockery and Vodka Presents

Kassandra Davis is a cartoonist, practicing for nearly twenty years and living on the outskirts of Seattle and sanity. Most well-known for her Mockery and Vodka comic series, her work is mostly autobiographical and topical in nature. Her comics are partially based in her own experiences but also partially fictional, she is currently working on her longest storyline to date, a story about SoCal-based vampires. Her work is never lacking a sense of humor, laced with punches of snark and levity.

Rayna L. Stiner

Author of epic and urban fantasy with characters who must learn to embrace their magic to shift the world to a safer, more loving place. Rayna’s works feature unique magic systems, lovable creatures and deity dragons. Two standalone urban fantasy novels, and three in an epic fantasy series.

 

Michael L Stevens

The novella “Falling Through Space” by Michael L. Stevens is a space opera that follows the journey of Flynn Hopper, a graduate assistant in astrophysics. It is a coming-of-age space opera that provides an engaging imagining of life beyond human experience and the potential for unlikely friendships.

 

Steffi Thomas

Author of high fantasy novels

 

 

Features

Level Up! Vocal Ensemble Performance

Located in 403 W Meeker St from 2:30PM to 3:30PM
Level Up! Vocal Ensemble is a community chamber choir that sings video game music. Their repertoire runs the gamut from 80’s platformers to modern MOBAs to JRPG classics.

Cosplay Contest

Located in 403 W Meeker St

Grab your cape, polish your armor, and enter the Kent Nerd Party’s cosplay contest! Whether you’re ready to strut your stuff or get inspired by this year’s winners, this is one event you won’t want to miss.

Categories:

• Adult Cosplay (1 winner) – Prize $100
• Children’s Cosplay (1 winner) – Prize $25
• Honorable Mention (1 winner)

Sign-up and judging 4PM-5PM (capped at 30 participants), participant showcase and winners announced 5:30PM. Must participate in showcase & be present to win.

Cosplay Contest Judge

Costama is a local cosplayer with 13 years of experience. Her favorite thing in cosplay is the friends she’s made along the way, but a very close second is the tips and tricks she loves learning and sharing with everyone! She’s an occasional competitor and judge, most recently winning the Needlework category at ECCC 2024. Outside of cosplay, she’s a Technical Artist in the games industry and spends her evenings playing Astro Bot, rewatching the best movie ever made (1998’s Ever After), and weeping about embroidery.

Cosplay Contest MC

Lux’s cosplay journey may have began in 2009, but it was 2013 when she decided to stand out above the crowd with her first lipsync as Powerline from The Goofy Movie. As a seasoned lip sync veteran, Lux has donned the title of performer, MC, and cosplay contest award winning competitor.

As a POC cosplayer with an invisible disability, Lux strives to advocate and empower others that they can cosplay whomever they want. Regardless of what others say or what limitations one might have.

Drag Dance Party

Celebrate the end of Kent Nerd Party and the cosplay contest winner with a dance party hosted by Tacoma’s spooky queens

Beer & Cider Garden

Located outside 202 W Gowe St from 12PM to 7PM

Ages 21 and up only! Have your ID ready.

Card & tap-to-pay only–no cash accepted.

Enjoy a refreshing beer or cider alongside food from the nearby food vendors! Beer provided by our sponsor Seapine Brewing Company and cider by our sponsor 2 Towns Ciderhouse.

Lego Museum by SeaLUG

Hosted by BigWu Fitness from 12PM to 7PM

SeaLUG, a group of Seattle-based Lego brick enthusiasts, presents the Lego Museum! Their elaborate Lego creations, which often take hundreds of hours to create, will be on display for all to see.

Indie Game Demos by Seattle Indies

Located in 207 1st Ave S from 12PM to 7PM

Kent Nerd Party T-shirts

Grab a fabulous new shirt designed by local artist Gwendolyn Wood while supplies last at the KDP info booth located on Gowe St!

Live Music by Cool Nerd Mark

Located in 1st Ave Plaza from 12PM to 7PM
Cool Nerd Mark is a singer-songwriter guitarist inspired by comic book heroes, science fiction, and old horror films.

Hallow Ian Horror Hour

The Hallow Ian Horror Hour is Seattle’s Scare-ity Show. Hallow Ian and the Graveyard Gang will be at Page Turner Books all day filming and recording a podcast! Come to view a screening of the show or be interviewed by Hallow Ian himself.

BLAZE Robotics Academy

Come check out the BLAZE Robotics booth where they’ll be featuring:

• “Drive-a-Robot” Station: An interactive area where attendees can get hands-on experience and try driving robots themselves.
• Competition-Level Demos: Live maneuvers of our high-performance robots to showcase advanced engineering and programming
• 3D Printing in Action: demonstrations of how they design and print custom parts for their machines

 

Hawkwood’s Troupe

Cosplay Repair

Presented by Running Stitch Fabrics from 12PM to 7PM

Cosplay malfunction?  Not to worry! The team at Running Stitch Fabrics is here to save the day. Head into the store and ask for directions to the Cosplay Repair station–they’ll be happy to help!

Participating Businesses

The Game Shelf: Our presenting sponsor!

BigWu Fitness: A workout facility in the heart of historic downtown Kent, BigWu is hosting our Lego Museum.
NWBG Activity Center: This event space is hosting our authors and some special guests.
Jurassic Ink Tattoo: This NEW tattoo shop in town is hosting our sensory room and offering themed flash tattoos.
Page Turner Books: Nerd culture store offering sci-fi, fantasy, mystery, movies, video games, comics, manga, anime, and more.
Pied Piper Pub: This lively pub with shuffleboard, darts, and pool will be running a special menu of themed drinks.
Retro Emporium: Vintage to modern pop culture shop specializing in vintage 80s/90s collectibles and retro-themed goods.
Running Stitch Fabrics: This destination for sewing and quilting supplies is providing our Cosplay Repair station.
Thai Chili Restaurant: Enjoy delicious Thai food at Thai Chili!

Prop Policy

You may not bring any real, functional weapons to the Kent Nerd Party, including (but not limited to) firearms, bb or pellet guns, or blades (swords, axes, daggers, etc). Prop weapons are permitted if they are not sharp or otherwise capable of causing harm. Toy guns are permitted if they have an orange tip on the barrel and do not look like real weapons.

Any prop weapons must be brought to the info booth, where they’ll be checked for adherence to policy and peace bonded (marked with tape to show they are approved props).  If props violate this policy, you will be asked to return them to your vehicle or home.   By attending the Kent Nerd Party, you agree to these terms.

Volunteering

Volunteers make the Kent Nerd Party possible. Meet awesome people, get a free KNP t-shirt, and experience the event from a new angle. Volunteer! Sign up here.

Location 

While vendors will be located on 1st Ave S, W Gowe St, and 2nd Ave S, the Kent Nerd Party is happening all over downtown Kent. Maps and more information to be announced closer to the event!

Participating Vendors

Maida Cervania
Stephanie Mai Designs
Susan’s Sweet Squees
HWA Seattle Chapter
Zephren’s Sculpture Shop
Sun & Sage Illustrations LLC
Mourdrill’s Meats
Luv Maila
Cascadia Candles
ThicCatCrafts
That Guy James
Nanette Crochets
Sew Fiction Shop
Gravity Doll
Repurposing 4 A Reason
PurrnelKitty Studio
Leigh Jones
The Toasty Ghost
Matcha Cryptid Creations
The Noodle Shop
Cookiestraw
Ink Me, Senpai
Bits & Bobs by Kate
Kiwinunu
Misha Charms & Friends
The Keipop Stan Creations
Author Aaron Ryan
Vampire Pyramid Scheme
SewCherie
Geeky Stop
Vicki Huggins
That Nerd Chick
The Nailon Realm
Mushroom Bean Sprouts Art
Inkwell Artist
Leah R Cutter
A.K Ramirez Writes
Bookish by Default
Our Own Hands Plant Care & Design
Found Family Adventurecrafts
Craft and Queerious
Writes of Dutch

Miniature Painting Contest

Show off your skills or admire the work of talented artists at The Game Shelf’s 2nd annual Kent Nerd Party Miniature Painting Contest!

There will be four categories:

Age under 12 Single Model – Prize: $25 gift certificate

Age 12-17 Single Model – Prize: $25 gift certificate

All Ages Single Model – Prize: $25 gift certificate

All Ages Model Group – $50 gift cards

Accessibility

Kent Nerd Party is welcoming to people of all abilities. For any accessibility-related questions, please email us at kdpadmin@kentdowntown.org. We will do our very best to help you have an epic experience. We encourage all feedback and suggestions in order to improve your experience.

Thank you to our valued sponsors and partners for making this event possible!