The Sapulpa Times interviewed Melodie Reader, Children and Young Adult Librarian and the coordinator for the STEAM (Science Technology Engineering Art Mathematics) Con Steampunk Pop Culture Convention, to find out what this year’s event encompasses.
“Okie Kidz Inflatables is bringing us two inflatables for the 22nd.That will be a unicorn bouncy castle, and a Minecraft-looking bouncy house, so we have two different types and age groups on it. The Unicorn is for the younger kids and the Minecraft is for older kids.
Central Tech will be there and students from Babcocks class will assist vendors. We are going to have each of those young adults assigned to a vendor and they are going to be their shadow and help them all day. If they need to go to the bathroom, need water, or go to lunch.”
BNSF Railroad is sponsoring an art contest for youth, elementary through high school, downstairs in the library. Ribbons and cash prizes will be awarded. “They have to get everything into us Wednesday before the event.”
There will be a pumpkin decorating contest replete with ribbons for the winners.
Sene-Gence is sponsoring a cosplay contest with cash prizes. “It is $100 for the adult first prize, $75 for second, $50 for third, for the teen-ages it is $75, $50, and $25, for the kids it is $50, $25, and $15.”
Along with the contests, there will be Mad Science demonstrations, virtual reality play, and pop culture vendors. Also featured this year are discussion panels on Dungeons & Dragons, Magic the Gathering Card Game and How to make a Cosplay item & costume.
“At our event, we will also have a soft opening from 11 a.m. – 1 p.m. of our new Dewey STEM Studio (makerspace) which has a 3d printer, Cricut cutting system, LEGO play, craft center, sewing center, and gaming area. It will also house our “Things” library. The Library of Things will let patrons check out items such as a button maker, rock tumbler, baking pans, mixers and the like. We are trying to fill a need within our community to help bridge the socioeconomic gap.”
Additional sponsors include: Friends of the Sapulpa Library, Central Tech, OG&E, Freedom Electric, Sapulpa Times, The Print Shop, Okie Kidz Inflatables, Tulsa Opera, River Spirit Casino Resort, Bennett Steel, Daddy and Daughter Cards, Red Bison Dispensary, Mad Science, Cosplay Alliance of Tulsa (CATs) & Green Country Gamer (in memory of Glenn Reader).
The vendor fee is $15 which helps fund library programs. “We have varying levels of sponsorship for any businesses who would like to help support this event. Money raised helps fund this event as well as our Dewey STEM Studio.”
Anyone wishing to participate in this awesome event should contact Melodie Reader at 918-224-5624, or mreader@sapulpaok.gov as soon as possible.
