Dallas Public Library - NerdCon 2026

Show Notes

Today, we are learning all about the fantastic event called NerdCon here in Dallas. Our guest today is Lydia Wales, one of our Library Aides here. 

https://www.dallasor.gov/library

What is Dallas, Oregon Podcast?

Your source for city updates, behind-the-scenes stories, and conversations with the people shaping our community.

SPEAKER_01: Welcome to the
Dallas, Oregon Podcast, your

quick and informative source for
what's happening in and around

our city.

I'm Charlie Mitchell, the
Economic and Community

Development Director for the
City of Dallas.

And each week we bring in city
staff, local leaders, and

community members to discuss the
projects, people, and

possibilities facing Dallas.

Today, we are going to learn all
about the fantastic event called

NerdCon here in Dallas.

Our guest today is Lydia Wales,
one of our library aides here at

the City of Dallas.

Lydia, thank you so much for
joining us today.

SPEAKER_00: Yeah, thanks for
having me, Charlie.

SPEAKER_01: All right, let's
jump right in.

What is NerdCon?

SPEAKER_00: So NerdCon is an
event we came up with a couple

of years ago.

Um, that we really just wanted
to create an event that

showcased all the amazing
authors and artists and

especially graphic novelists
that are from Oregon and reside

in Oregon.

Um and so we just thought, like,
what is an event we could create

that really brings all those
creators together in Oregon?

Um, that people can come and
meet them and buy their work.

And this is what we came up
with.

SPEAKER_01: That's great.

So, Lydia, it's my understanding
that this is actually the second

year of NerdCon, but the first
year with this name, is that

correct?

SPEAKER_00: Yes, it is.

Yeah.

Second year, rebrand, bigger
than ever.

Um, first year we were still
kind of like playing around with

it, seeing like what we wanted
it to be, and this is we're

we're in the thick of it now.

We feel solid about it.

SPEAKER_01: Right, that's great.

So, can you share a little bit
more about the event?

What are some specific things
that people can expect to see

this year?

SPEAKER_00: Yeah.

So, like I said, it's bigger
than ever this year.

We're having more vendors.

Um, our main focus is on
creators.

So we have different authors
coming, especially graphic

novelists, different artists
that work on comic book art.

Um, and then another thing that
we've done is we've invited

several local game shops from
the area who will also come and

have small scale events that
they'll be running throughout

the convention.

Um, so we're gonna have a lot of
like Magic the Gathering games

going throughout.

People can bring their own sets
and their decks and play

together.

Um, so it'll be really great.

And one thing that's always
really exciting is we have a few

different professional
cosplayers coming.

Um, so we have the Stormtroopers
Oregon, the Ghostbusters coming.

Always really great to see
people's reactions to them.

SPEAKER_01: That's great.

Um, and this is something for
all ages, correct?

SPEAKER_00: Yes, for all ages.

Um, even for little bitty kids,
we're gonna have different like

craft stations and things for
them, little scavenger hunts

going on.

So it's really for everybody.

SPEAKER_01: That's wonderful.

And now let's get to the
important details, Lydia.

When and where is NerdCon?

SPEAKER_00: NerdCon is gonna be
on March 13th, so it's gonna be

on a Friday this year, and it's
going to be from 2 p.m.

to 8 p.m.

SPEAKER_01: And where is it at?

SPEAKER_00: Oh, we actually had
to expand because we ran out of

room last year.

So we're gonna have three
different buildings um all in

the same block.

We're going to have the primary
location be at the Dallas Public

Library, and then we'll be next
door at the Majestic and also at

the Dallas Civic Center.

SPEAKER_01: Wow, you're just
taking over the whole block.

SPEAKER_00: I know.

We're really going for it.

SPEAKER_01: That's awesome.

All right.

So can you share quickly how
people can stay informed on all

of the happenings at the Dallas
Public Library?

SPEAKER_00: Yeah.

Um, one of the main ways to stay
updated is via our Facebook and

Instagram.

We're always posting our events
on there.

You can also check on the City
of Dallas website and we post on

there.

SPEAKER_01: That's great.

And now you can also probably
subscribe to get information uh

through the city's website as
well.

Uh, Lydia, thank you so much for
joining us today and sharing all

about this year's NerdCon 2026.

Um, now before we go, to close
out our podcast, we ask all of

our guests this one last
question, and that is what is

your favorite thing about
Dallas?

SPEAKER_00: My favorite thing
about Dallas is probably just

how walkable it is.

Um, love when it's a nice day
and you don't have to take the

car, you can just pop on your
bike or go on foot.

SPEAKER_01: Yeah, that's great.

It is a very walkable community.

Well, thanks again to Lydia for
joining us, and thank you to

everyone for tuning in.

Be sure to follow us on YouTube,
Spotify, and Apple Podcasts.

Thanks for listening to the
Dallas Oregon Podcast.

I'm Charlie Mitchell, and we'll
see you next time.