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, miniature painting contest, Lego museum, LARP games, outdoor vendors, and more. Scroll down to see our full list of programming.
All nerds are welcome—whether you love science fiction, fantasy, horror, anime, gaming, or one of the other innumerable geeky pursuits!
Volunteering
Volunteers make the Kent Nerd Party possible. Meet awesome people and experience the event from a new angle. Volunteer! Sign up here.
Location
While vendors will be located on 1st Ave S and W Gowe St, the Kent Nerd Party is happening all over downtown Kent. See our map and program for a full list of participating businesses and activities!
Download the full program here
Table of Contents
Artists, Authors, and Vendors
Special Guests & Signings
Discounted Hotel Rates
Kent Nerd Party T-shirts
Miniature Painting Contest
Magic: The Gathering Final Fantasy Draft
Level Up! Vocal Ensemble Performance
Cosplay Contest
Beer & Cider Garden
Lego Museum
LARP Combat Demos
Indie Game Demos
Shakespearean Era Performances
Sure Lock Escapes Puzzle
DIY Printmaking: Lego Letterpress
Live Music by Cool Nerd Mark
Art Cars
Cosplay Repair
Prop Policy
Participating Businesses
Sponsors & Partners
Artists, Authors, and Vendors
We have a wonderful array of artists, authors, and nerdy vendors joining us this year! Check the map and list below to find the locations of your favorite vendors.
Street Fair Map – Full-quality map
List of vendors:
Special Guests & Signings
Jeff Grubb – G3
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.
Seanan McGuire – G4
Seanan McGuire writes things. It is difficult to make her stop. Today, she will sign things.
Stan! – G2
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.
Todd Lockwood – G1
Todd Lockwood is an American artist specializing in fantasy and science fiction illustration. He is best known for his work on the role-playing game Dungeons & Dragons, and for his covers for the books of R. A. Salvatore. His art has also appeared in books from Tor Books, DAW Books, and on magazine covers, including Satellite Orbit magazine in 1984–1985, Asimov’s Science Fiction, Analog Science Fiction and Science Fact, Realms of Fantasy, Dragon Magazine, and Dungeon Magazine.
John D. Rateliff – G3B (Page Turner Books, 5pm-7pm)
John D. Rateliff is an American independent scholar of fantasy literature and author of roleplaying games. He specializes in the study of the works of J. R. R. Tolkien, particularly his Middle-earth writings, and wrote and edited the 2007 book The History of the Hobbit.
Discounted Hotel Rates
Get 25% off your stay at the Best Western Plus Plaza by the Green! Simply go to www.bestwestern.com and choose the Best Western Plus Plaza by the Green when searching for hotels in Kent, WA. Then choose “Promotional” for special rates and enter NERD for Nerd Party (June 6-8) when asked for Promo Codes in order to activate the 25% discount. This is valid for a two-night stay maximum.
Kent Nerd Party T-shirts
Grab a fabulous new shirt designed by local artist Gwendolyn Wood while supplies last! Pre-purchase a shirt for pickup at the info booth on Eventbrite or get yours day-of at the info booth (card & tap-to-pay only–no cash accepted).
Fitted and unisex options available. Mock-up is pictured; actual product may vary.
Miniature Painting Contest presented by The Game Shelf
Located in Make It Rain Fitness
Show off your skill or admire the work of talented artists at the miniature painting contest!
There will be four categories:
- Age under 12 Single Model – Prize: $25 gift certificate to The Game Shelf
- Age 12-17 Single Model – Prize: $25 gift certificate to The Game Shelf
- All Ages Single Model – Prize: $25 gift certificate to The Game Shelf
- All Ages Model Group – Prize: $50 gift certificate to The Game Shelf
Accepting submissions on-site from 12PM to 2PM. The public will vote on the winners from 2PM to 4PM. Winners posted at 5PM. Models can be picked up 5PM to 7PM.
Magic: The Gathering Final Fantasy Draft presented by The Game Shelf
Located in Make It Rain Fitness – Signups from 2PM to 4PM, play from 4PM to 7PM
Don’t miss your chance to try out the new MTG Final Fantasy collaboration! Players will create decks drafted from three packs of the newest set and play three best-of-three rounds. Everyone will receive additional prizes:
- 0-1 Round wins: 1 pack
- 2 Round wins: 2 packs
- 3 Round wins: 3 packs
The cost is $40 plus tax and limited to the first 32 participants. Sign-ups begin at 2PM.
Level Up! Vocal Ensemble Performance
Located in 403 W Meeker St from 5PM to 5:30PM
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.
Photo by @shorbophoto
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.
Photo by @MagickShotStudios
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.
Beer & Cider Garden
Located outside 202 W Gowe St from 2PM 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 2PM 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.
LARP Combat Demos by Kingdom Boffer Association 
Located in Rosebed Park from 2PM to 7PM
Learn LARP (live-action role play) combat techniques with foam weapons!
The Kingdom Boffer Association is entering their 30th season of providing boffer combat action, focusing on team-based faction battles, scenario-based games, and personal combat technique development. Similar in approach to other simulated combat activities like paintball and airsoft, they use padded melee and ranged weapons to recreate medieval combat within a fantasy context.
Indie Game Demos by Seattle Indies
Located in 403 W Meeker St from 2PM to 7PM
Check out some game demos from local developers. Featuring:
Adventures, Inc.
AlakaBLAM!
In Wonder
Minotaur Princess
Wanderling
We’re Tethered Together
Shakespearean Era Performances by the Washington Shakespearean Festival 
Located in Rosebed Park from 2PM to 7PM
Join performers from the Washington Shakespearean Festival in games, listen to songs, and watch other performances from this talented band of bards. Learn more about their mission and join the movement!
Free Puzzle Activity 
Hosted by Sure Lock Escapes from 2pm to 7pm
Sure Lock Escapes, home to escape room adventures, is offering a free puzzle activity in their Guild Hall. Successful adventures will be rewarded with sugary confectionery (candy) and exclusive discounts toward further adventures (escape rooms). In-character staff will be there to greet and guide adventurers.
DIY Printmaking: Lego Letterpress by the Kent Library
Hosted in the Kent Library from 2PM to 5PM
The King County Library System presents this nerdy craft workshop–explore the fun and fabulous world of printmaking! Design and create your own unique art prints using Lego tiles and the Provisional Press. All materials provided.
Live Music by Cool Nerd Mark
Located in 1st Ave Plaza from 2PM to 7PM
Cool Nerd Mark is a singer-songwriter guitarist inspired by comic book heroes, science fiction, and old horror films.
Art Cars
On 2nd Ave S between Gowe and Meeker from 2PM to 7PM
These fantastic works of art will be on display for all to admire! Special thanks to the Seattle Art Car Blowout, occurring June 21-22.
Cosplay Repair
Presented by Running Stitch Fabrics from 2PM 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!
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 peacebonded (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.
Participating Businesses
The Game Shelf: Our presenting sponsor and facilitator of the Miniature Painting Contest and Magic: The Gathering Final Fantasy Draft.
BigWu Fitness: A workout facility in the heart of historic downtown Kent, BigWu is hosting our Lego Museum.
Grey Sunz Tattoo: This tattoo shop will be offering themed flash tattoos.
Make It Rain Fitness: This kickboxing studio is hosting our Miniature Painting Contest and Magic: The Gathering Tournament.
NWBG Activity Center: This event space is hosting our authors and some special guests.
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.
Sure Lock Escapes: Escape rooms that can’t be beat! Sure Lock Escapes is hosting the Level Up! Vocal Ensemble performance.
Thai Chili Restaurant: Enjoy delicious Thai food at Thai Chili!
Sponsors & Partners
