Pacific NerdWest Programming
WE HAVE SO MUCH GOING ON! Here are the official Pacific NerdWest schedule and side-quest options
SCHEDULE OF EVENTS
10:00 am Artist Alley opens (sponsored by William Elmer, Realtor) at Chuckanut Bay Distillery Ballroom
10:00 am Artist showcase at Dakota Art
10:00 am Vendor hall & Game play and demo room/family area open at Hotel Leo
NOON - 12:50 PANEL: REINVENTING MONSTERS in the Clark Gable Theater (Basement of the Leo)
From the classic “Universal” monsters to Kaiju to more modern horror icons, characters with long histories have been reimagined by multiple artists. A panel of comic creators will discuss how monsters and our stories about them have evolved in popular media. Featuring Mariah Currey, Tokala Tatum, Roy Alexander, JD Boucher, moderated by Michael Tanner.
1:00 pm - 1:50 PANEL: WRITING COMICS IS BANANAS! in the Clark Gable Theater (Basement of the Leo) - A conversation with Mark Russell & Bryce Ingman on their experience as comics creators and what it’s like to write comics collaboratively. Moderated by Django, so expect fascinating banana facts galore!
2:00 pm - 2:50 PANEL: Insights In Self-publishing Comic Books! in the Clark Gable Theater (Basement of the Leo)
Learn from a group of comic creators who have self-published their own comic discuss the phases, resources, and selling of an indie comic book. Featuring Mónica Mendoza, Mariah Currey, Alejandro Gomez, moderated by JD Boucher.
2:00 pm Cosplay parade led by Glitt3r Lyfe starts at the Hotel Leo lobby
3:00 pm - 3:50 PANEL: WILLIAMS & WILLIAMS, NO RELATION! in the Clark Gable Theater (Basement of the Leo)
Comics writing powerhouses Stephanie Williams and Leah Williams discuss their 2026 in comics thus far. Moderated by Comics Place’s own Logan Marshall.
3:00 pm Costume contest entry deadline. Enter in the Hotel Leo Lobby. Winners announced and prizes awarded after the convention!
4:00 pm - 4:45 PANEL: Bellingham Creator’s Club! in the Clark Gable Theater (Basement of the Leo) - Have a chat with the Bellingham Comic Creator Club! Learn about the local influences on their comics and what cool stuff you can get at artist alley. Featuring Nate McGary Myers, Shannon Devine, Jake Zender, Erika Gleave, Ken Albery.
7:00 pm Pinball Tourney scores due at Comics Place. Play 9 machines throughout the day and win up to a $50 gift certificate from Comics Place.
UPSTAIRS FAMILY AREA
- Make your own superhero mask!
- Scavenger hunt!
- Free comics to take home!
- Coloring Pages!
- Make your own comic!
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All ages learn to play RPGs like Dungeons & Dragons
KIDS SCAVENGER HUNT
- Explore all of Pacific Nerdwest 2026 and win a prize!
- Complete 7 of the 9 challenges, then turn in your form in the in the Leo Lobby for a prize.
- Bonus High Five if you complete all 9!
COSPLAY CONTEST WITH GLITT3R LYFE
Registration is open until 3pm, and you can register by following these two simple steps (in any order):
- Visit our cosplay table in the Hotel Leo Lobby! Give them some information and a cosplay judge will check out your fabulous costume.
- Swing by the Glitt3r Lyfe photo booth, sponsored by Back East BBQ, and get your photo taken! You’ll also share some information, so when their judges admire your amazing cosplay they’ll be able to sync it up with your entry!
That’s it! Winners will be notified the day of and can redeem their prizes from the cosplay booth, or later from Comics Place. And kids, make sure to show off your cosplay and get an instant prize!
STAMP RALLY - WIN PRIZES
Get stamps at all of our event locations for prizes!
- Visit the stamp station in the lobby of the Hotel Leo, in the Gaming & Family Room upstairs at Hotel Leo, Artist Showcase at Dakota Arts, Comics Place, plus 2 sidekick stamp locations.
- Then turn in your stamps at the Chuckanut Bay Ballroom to William Elmer at table B4.
- First 150 people get a deluxe swag bag!
- AND everyone will be entered into the raffle for our big prize provided by our Downtown Sidekicks!
Bonus sidekick marks get extra entries!
SIDEKICK STAMP LOCATIONS: Comics Place, Ritual Records, Aegis Games, Mallard, Northwest Yarns, Neko Cat Cafe, MW Soapworks, Saltadena, Foxhole Bar, Third Planet, D’Annas, Hela Provisions, Fiamma Burger, Bagelry, El Capitans, Piece of Mind Cannibas, Stone Moon, Chocolate Necessities, Brazen
