CLARKSVILLE, TN (CLARKSVILLE NOW) – The annual Science Fiction and Fantasy Expo was held in the Clarksville-Montgomery County Public Library Saturday afternoon. This free event celebrates all things science fiction, fantasy, superhero, horror and animation.
Austin Peay State University Physics, Engineering and Astronomy Department offered live demonstrations of a few technical gadgets, including an AI-controlled robot and ignition of a nitrogen-filled balloon.
APSU’s Professional Mad Scientist, Bryan Gaither, demonstrates various principles during the Sci-Fi & Fantasy Expo held at the CMC Public Library on Nov. 2, 2024. (Daniela Thomas/APSU)
A family takes a closer look at the APSU’s scientific exhibits to learn about magnetism during the Sci-Fi & Fantasy Expo held at the CMC Public Library on Nov.2, 2024. (Daniela Thomas/APSU)
A Sci-Fi & Fantasy Expo attending family reacts to an inflatable “Earth” suspended in the air through the demonstration of the Bernoulli’s principle by APSU students and their Professional Mad Scientist, Bryan Gaither, at the CMC Public Library on Nov. 2, 2024. (Daniela Thomas/APSU)
President of the Del Square Sci at APSU, Mike Graff, explains various magnetic principles to attending children and families during the Sci-Fi & Fantasy Expo held at CMC Public Library on Nov. 2, 2024. (Daniela Thomas/APSU)
Fantasy artist, Carly Vilardi, smiles at her daughter in the crib next to her vendor table with fantasy artworks during the Sci-Fi & Fantasy Expo held at the CMC Public Library on Nov. 2, 2024. (Daniela Thomas/APSU)
Staff at the CMC Public Library welcome attendees with school supplies and free souvenirs during the Sci-Fi & Fantasy Expo event held on Nov. 2, 2024. (Daniela Thomas/APSU)
Families gather around tables provided with art supplies and rocks for drawing “a meteorite” and souvenirs during the Sci-Fi & Fantasy Expo held at the CMC Public Library on Nov. 2, 2024. (Daniela Thomas/APSU)
A family attending the Sci-Fi Expo at CMC Public Library reacts to APSU’s robot dog Go1 purchased by the university’s College of Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) that uses artificial intelligence and can be remotely controlled on Nov.2, 2024. (Daniela Thomas/APSU)
A family attends the Sci-Fi & Fantasy Expo held at the CMC Public Library on Nov.2, 2024. (Daniela Thomas/APSU)
CMC Public Library Staff member, Jessica, welcomes costumed fans and families to the Sci-Fi & Fantasy Expo on Nov.2, 2024. (Daniela Thomas/APSU)
Attendees of the Sci-Fi & Fantasy Expo stop by the Fractured Oblivion’s vendor table with crochet and other handmade items at the CMC Public Library on Nov.2, 2024. (Daniela Thomas/APSU)
Children interact with the suspended “Earth” at the CMC Public Library during the Sci-Fi & Fantasy Expo held on Nov. 2, 2024. (Daniela Thomas/APSU)
Local author and Halloween enthusiast Matt Schorr presents his Schorr Manor Studio along with the mascot Benny the Skelly during Scifi & Fantasy Expo in Clarksville downtown public library, Nov. 2, 2024. (Xu Zhang/Asutin Peay State University)
Rock paint is one of many activities favored by kids during Scifi & Fantasy Expo. (Xu Zhang/Austin Peay State University)
During Scif & Fantasy Expo 2024, Clakrsville local residents have opportunities to virtually interact with the expert from NASA to discuss astronomy. ( Xu Zhang/Austin Peay State University)
Three attendees are in full cosplay at Science Fiction and Fantasy Expo at Clarksville-Montgomery County Public Library on November 2, 2024 (Hugh Wheeler/Austin Peay State University)
An attendee wears a gambit costume at the Science Fiction and Fantasy Expo at Clarksville-Montgomery County Public Library on November 2, 2024 (Hugh Wheeler/Austin Peay State University)
A stormtrooper meets a Unitree Go1 Robot Dog at the Science Fiction and Fantasy Expo at Clarksville-Montgomery County Public Library on November 2, 2024 (Hugh Wheeler/Austin Peay State University)
Students fix a robot being displayed at the Science Fiction and Fantasy Expo at Clarksville-Montgomery County Public Library on November 2, 2024 (Hugh Wheeler/Austin Peay State University)
An Austin Peay pom-pom spikes out from static electricity at the Science Fiction and Fantasy Expo at Clarksville-Montgomery County Public Library on November 2, 2024 (Hugh Wheeler/Austin Peay State University)
Figments and Fripperies sells homemade jewelery at the Science Fiction and Fantasy Expo at Clarksville-Montgomery County Public Library on November 2, 2024 (Hugh Wheeler/Austin Peay State University)
Fractured Oblivion awaits attendees at the Science Fiction and Fantasy Expo at Clarksville-Montgomery County Public Library on November 2, 2024 (Hugh Wheeler/Austin Peay State University)
Ben Blankenship takes a breath to update Mallowcopia’s social accounts as he awaits for the Science Fiction and Fantasy Expo to begin at the Clarksville-Montgomery County library on November 2, 2024. (Hugh Wheeler/Austin Peay State University
A decorative raven sits on a skull in the shadow of a skeleton at Schorr Manor’s booth at the Science Fiction and Fantasy Expo at Clarksville-Montgomery County Public Library on November 2, 2024 (Hugh Wheeler/Austin Peay State University)
APSU Labrotory and Equipment Manager Bryan Gaither demonstrates a tube of styrofoam pellets being affected by concentrated soundwaves at the Science Fiction and Fantasy Expo at Clarksville-Montgomery County Public Library on November 2, 2024 (Hugh Wheeler/Austin Peay State University)
APSU Professional Mad Scientist Bryan Gaither demonstrates a balloon exploding into fire upon contact with a tesla coil at the Science Fiction and Fantasy Expo at Clarksville-Montgomery County Public Library on November 2, 2024 (Hugh Wheeler/Austin Peay State University)
Three attendees stand as Star Wars characters at the Science Fiction and Fantasy Expo at Clarksville-Montgomery County Public Library on November 2, 2024 (Hugh Wheeler/Austin Peay State University)
This optical illusion pig sits at the bottom of inward facing mirrors and not on top of a metal plate as it appears at the Science Fiction and Fantasy Expo at Clarksville-Montgomery County Public Library on November 2, 2024 (Hugh Wheeler/Austin Peay State University)
An Austin Peay student demonstrates magnets at the Science Fiction and Fantasy Expo at Clarksville-Montgomery County Public Library on November 2, 2024 (Hugh Wheeler/Austin Peay State University)
An attendee dresses as Darth Nihilus at the Science Fiction and Fantasy Expo at Clarksville-Montgomery County Public Library on November 2, 2024 (Hugh Wheeler/Austin Peay State University)
An attendee dresses as a crusader at the Science Fiction and Fantasy Expo at Clarksville-Montgomery County Public Library on November 2, 2024 (Hugh Wheeler/Austin Peay State University)
APSU Professional Mad Scientist Bryan Gaither explains a magnet propulsion machine to an attendee at the Science Fiction and Fantasy Expo at Clarksville-Montgomery County Public Library on November 2, 2024 (Hugh Wheeler/Austin Peay State University)
APSU Professional Mad Scientist Bryan Gaither oversees a science demonstration at the Science Fiction and Fantasy Expo at Clarksville-Montgomery County Public Library on November 2, 2024 (Hugh Wheeler/Austin Peay State University)
Two participants dress up as Glinda and Elphaba Thropp from the Wicked respectively during Scifi & Fantasy Expo in Clarksville downtown public library, Nov. 2, 2024. (Xu Zhang/Austin peay State University)
A participant dresses up as a ghostbuster during Scifi & Fantasy Expo inside the Clakrsville downtown library on Nov. 2, 2024. (Xu Zhang/Austin Peay State University)
A child interacts with the inflatable “Earth” at the CMC Public Library during the Sci-Fi & Fantasy Expo held on Nov. 2, 2024. (Daniela Thomas/APSU)
Children and families await with anticipation for APSU’s Professional Mad Scientist, Bryan Gaither, to make a “fiery” demonstration during the Sci-Fi & Fantasy Expo held at the CMC Public Library on Nov.2, 2024. (Daniela Thomas/APSU)
APSU’s Professional Mad Scientist, Bryan Gaither, interacts with the crowd during the Sci-Fi & Fantasy Expo held at the CMC Public Library on Nov. 2, 2024. (Daniela Thomas/APSU)
APSU’s Professional Mad Scientist, Bryan Gaither, demonstrates various principles during the Sci-Fi & Fantasy Expo held at the CMC Public Library on Nov. 2, 2024. (Daniela Thomas/APSU)
Twins in Harry Potter costumes play with the inflatable “Earth” and interact with various exhibits at the Sci-Fi & Fantasy Expo held at the CMC Public Library on Nov.2, 2024. (Daniela Thomas/APSU)
A Star Wars Stormtrooper-costumed fan greets children during the Sci-Fi & Fantasy Expo at the CMC Public Library on Nov. 2, 2024. (Daniela Thomas/APSU)
Children interact with the suspended “Earth” at the CMC Public Library during the Sci-Fi & Fantasy Expo held on Nov. 2, 2024. (Daniela Thomas/APSU)
This year’s event featured a silent DJ dance party, a costume contest, tabletop gaming, rock painting, NASA’s Planet Profiler, and character meet and greets.
Austin Peay State University photojournalism students contributed to this report.
DON’T MISS AN EVENT: Check out the Fall Fun Guide or the Clarksville Events calendar.