Featuring everything from cosplay to comic writing contests, Saturday’s first ever Comic Con event at the Niles District Library has the potential to be bigger than organizers ever imagined.

“I was only expecting a handful of people to come and talk, but it has really blown up into something special,” said Brandon Steven, Niles library employee.

Steven said he hopes the free event, which runs from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. at 620 E. Main St., will help people gain a deeper appreciation for comic books and graphic novels.

“They have merit and can be used for educational and entertainment purposes,” he said. “It would be nice if people would realize that.”

The Niles Library Comic Con will include a wide assortment of exhibitors with merchandise for sale. They are:

• Tim Richardson, Richardson Productions, known for films such as “Dork of the Rings,” “Harvey Putter and the Ridiculous Premise,” and the upcoming film, “The Throbbit.”

• Joe Sanders, playwright and teacher at Western Michigan University. Full productions have been made of his work, including “Deus Ex Machina,” “Cereal Killer,” “Fly-over State” and others.

• Logan Beckwith, owner of Fat Boy’s Nerd Emporium in Bristol, Indiana. He will be bringing tons of comics and collectibles for sale with him.

• Bill Halliar of Valparaiso, Indiana. He has done writing, penciling, inking, coloring and lettering at different times throughout his career for companies like Moonstone, Devils Due, Dark Horse and Archaia.

• Private collectors.

• Dane Martin and Katherine Poe of Niles. Dane and Katherine are both cartoonists. Dane is a graduate of the Center for Cartoon Studies and Katherine is a graduate of California College of the Arts.

• Jim McClain of Elkhart, Indiana. Jim is the creator and writer for the comic book series, “The Solution Squad,” a fun and educational comic about a team of teenage heroes, each with a different math-based superpower.

• Len Knappenberger of Mishawaka, Indiana. Len is the owner of Knappy’s Komics and Kollectibles. He will be bringing comics and collectibles from his store to sell.

• Matt Vaughn of Grand Rapids. Matt is currently attending Ferris Sate University for digital animation and game design. He will be showing off some of his work and sharing his experiences in his studies and adventures in the world of video games.

Other activities include:

Door prizes

Stop by the registration table on your way in to enter in to win many door prizes provided by Griffon Bookstore in South Bend, Oni Press, Image Comics, and Fanfare Sports & Entertainment Inc. in Kalamazoo.

Cosplay contest

Enter in the contest by stopping at the registration table before 4:30 p.m. Costumes must be appropriate. There will be special prizes given away for the best costume in three different age groups: 12 and under, 13 to 17, and 18 and up.

Comic writing contest

Bring in an original comic or mini comic before 4 p.m. when a panel of guest artists and writers will judge and rate entries. Prizes will be awarded for three different age groups: 12 and under, 13 to 17, and 18 and up.

Activities for children

Along with all of the other events throughout the day, the library will also be having fun crafts for the kids to help make them real super heroes. Crafts will be in the Children’s Department.

Video game tournament

The game will be “Injustice: Gods Among Us” on the Xbox 360. First place gets a prize. The tournament starts at noon.

Super hero movie marathon

All day long, super hero movies will play. Take a break from all of the excitement and relax with popular heroes on the big screen.

Drawing superheroes

Patty Rose will teach kids how to draw superheroes from noon to 1 p.m.

Presentations, seminars and workshops

• 11 a.m. to noon — Comics in the Classroom by Jim McClain

Jim will be talking about comics being used in classrooms as educational resources

• 1 to 2 p.m. — Farcing Fantasy Films by Tim Richardson

Tim will be discussing what goes into making a parody in the world of fantasy films.

• 2 to 3 p.m. — Drawing Robots and Aliens by Bill Halliar

Bill will be demonstrating how to draw some of comic’s greatest and popular villains, robots and aliens.

• 3 to 4:30 p.m. — Comic Book Adaption by Joe Sanders.

Joe will be discussing the many ways in which comic books have been portrayed throughout the years, along with a game for those in attendance.