"What you can expect from the nerd market is lots of vendors selling collectibles from comic books, anime, POP figures. There are going to be some people that sell items, such as crocheted items that are modeled after comic book characters," Lauren Falls, the director of marketing and events for Cool Spring Downtown District, told Up & Coming Weekly.
"It's just going to be a really good time to support small businesses in the area that are geared toward the comic book/anime community."
This year, some of the vendors at the Nerd Market include The Dragon's Lair, Game On! and Crime Alley Comics and Collectibles. In addition, Fayetteville Comic-Con will also be featuring a table at the Nerd Market to promote their event the following weekend, April 22 through April 24.
At last year's event, Falls said that around six to seven hundred people came out and participated in the Nerd Market. She hopes that more people will come out with the local Comic-Con being around the corner.
One feature of Nerd Market that will be back this year is the Cosplay Contest. The contest this year will be split between two age groups - one for kids and one for adults.
"A lot of people get really into the spirit of the Nerd Market, and they cosplay when they come out, and you get all different types of characters. We had somebody dressed up as a Halo character. We had several [dressed as] Batman," Falls said. "It's a really good time just to see the families kind of dress up, and it gives them another fun event to go to downtown that is geared towards the kids as well."
This event will be simultaneous with the Hoppin' Around Downtown Scavenger Hunt, the perfect event for younger kids. If kids want to look for Easter egg prizes in their favorite superhero costumes, downtown Fayetteville on April 16 will be the place to go. The scavenger hunt will occur at over 20 businesses, and Honey the Bunny will be hopping around to take pictures with the kids.
Scotty's All American Food Truck will also be available at the Nerd Market for anyone who wants a quick bite on the go. However, Falls also recommends that people stop and shop at the local downtown businesses.
"I also just want to encourage people while they're downtown at both of the events ... to shop local," Falls said.
Nerd Market is scheduled from noon to 4 p.m. at the Arts Council of Fayetteville and Cumberland County at 301 Hay St. The Nerd Market and the Hoppin' Around Downtown Scavenger Hunt will be free and all ages are welcome at the events.