Geek Fest a world of nerdy fun

By Justin Seward - Lethbridge Herald on May 9, 2024.

Herald photo by Justin Seward Logan Bonertz and his mom Amanda look at all the unique creations that the Desert Turtle Armory had to offer as company owner Mikki Haight looks on during Geek Fest at the Agri-Food Hub and Trade Centre.

Everything you can think of geek and nerdy related was compiled under one roof during the Domesticated Divas inaugural Geek Fest at the Agri-Food and Trade Centre this past weekend.

Geek Fest was meant to bring in people who are into genres such as the Marvel superhero universe, comic books, Star Wars and anime and offered the opportunity to purchase items from vendors.

“Lethbridge just doesn’t have anything here for people who are interested in comics and anime,” said Shana Sanregret, Domesticated Divas assistant.

“They have to go up to Calgary or Edmonton to hit one of the big events. With a smaller event, we don’t have to charge as much. So vendors who have product to sell, can afford to go into one of these markets and also for parents who want to take their kids, it doesn’t cost them a lot of money to go to the event because it is by cash donations only.”

Sanregret agreed Geek Fest was a way to grow the comic book community.

“We’re seeing a lot of parents who are introducing this to their kids,” she said.

“So bringing in an event … like this, helps the parents share something with their children, whether they are really little or whether they are teenagers, and so it gives something great for a family to be able to do together and enjoy. We do encourage people to cosplay, so in other words dress up, and come on out to it, and if you’re here at the event you would’ve seen amazing costumes.”

Sanregret spoke about her thoughts on the geek community in Lethbridge.

“It is a very active community here in Lethbridge,” she said.

“We love the fact that we can give that community something just for them.”

Mikki Haight of Haight of Desert Turtle Armory creates items based off of video games and videos.

“I wanted a mask from Skyrim, so I made it,” said Haight, on his start.

Haight is looking forward to more event like Geek Fest.

“There have not been a lot of focused towards the nerd-geek community events in Lethbridge, and I’m looking forward to more,” said Haight.

Danica Babin came along with a friend to the event to dress up in cosplay.

“My friend invited me and we figured there’d be other cosplayers here and we saw a few and we just wanted to cosplay and have fun,” said Babin.