Celebrate all forms of literature with a fun-filled day of action-packed activities at the Garfield County Libraries’ Fourth Annual Comics Festival on Saturday.

Presented by the Garfield County Libraries, Cook Inclusive Company and YouthZone, the festival will transform the Glenwood Springs Branch Library — and an area under the Grand Avenue Bridge — into buzzing zones of festival fun on Saturday, with everything from a cosplay contest to jewelry making.

“It’s really a unique event,” Branch Manager Abraham Korah said. “In the Roaring Fork Valley, it’s the only one of its kind that takes place.”

The festivities, including a bird’s nest necklace crafting event in the library community room, begin at 11 a.m. After, attendees can learn about the importance of alternative literacy at 12:30 p.m. At 1:30 p.m., local writer Cianan Puckett, author of the fantasy “Void Sleep Walker” series, will walk through his process of creating an imagined world while dealing with ADHD and ADD.

“That’s something that a lot of people deal with, so it’ll be interesting to see how someone takes something that might be considered a challenge but uses it to be productive and put their energy into something,” Korah said. “Then, as a result of that, there’s a tangible result…when they publish a book.”

Inside the library, festival-goers can try out 3D printing, virtual reality games, and other tech tools near the fireplace. There will also be screen-printing stations for free festival T-shirts and a chance to meet the Star Wars 501st Legion in costume.

“It’s a cool exposure to some technology that you’ve maybe heard of and haven’t had a chance to experience,” Korah said.

Saturday is also Free Comic Book Day, and from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., attendees can head to the Grand Avenue Bridge for a comic giveaway. Some of Korah’s personal favorites — classic, action-packed adventures like Spiderman and Batman comics — will be available. Attendees can also snap a photo under the bridge with the famous science teacher Ms. Frizzle.

“We want to get the comics in the hands of everyone, especially the kids, so they have a chance to read them,” Korah said.

Attendees can also take part in a bingo scavenger hunt — with prizes from the library’s coveted prize basket — and adults and children alike have a chance to win $75, $50 or $25 in Glenwood Gold at the cosplay contest.

Cosplayers who need to repair their costume, or those who just need to grab a drink or snack and relax, can head to the library’s lobby entrance.

“I am most looking forward to just having people in the library, especially kids that are not coming in here very often, or maybe this is their first time in the building,” Korah said. “So they’re coming in because they’re excited about getting a free comic book or to check out the 501st Legion and…they’re like, oh, this is actually a pretty cool space, whether it’s a study room and just a place to spend some time or some of the other materials that we have — we check out video games…park passes, things like that as well. It’s not just books.”

Although everyone is welcome, the festival was designed as additional programming for middle and high school students. The annual event is a way for the library to foster a connection with age groups that may not visit as often as younger children.

“By that time, as someone goes from middle to high school, it’s usually when they stop coming to the library, it’s usually when they don’t think of the library as a place that’s interesting or cool or particularly something that they want to do,” Korah said. “This is our way to really make sure that we stay connected with those ages.”

It also serves as a reminder of the importance of literature in all its forms, particularly for those who may be reluctant readers.

National reading test scores for fourth and eighth graders have steadily declined since 2015, according to Harvard Graduate School of Education Professor Martin West. Reading skills in sample groups of both grades nationwide fell five points below pre-pandemic levels in 2024, according to National Assessment of Educational Progress results.

“Typically towards the end of elementary school, boys especially, they really tend to stop reading, and then almost never pick it back up, which means that it’s going to affect their literacy, their speed and how they read, their ability to focus and pay attention and their vocabulary,” Korah said. “Because (comics) are such a visual medium as well, it’s a way to stay connected with that population.”

What matters is they’re engaged and reading, Korah added.

“Whether it’s the graphic novels or other forms of nontraditional, alternative literacy, not everybody needs to engage in a physical chapter book. There are other ways in which you can engage in literacy,” Korah said. “It’s just a reminder that not everything is straightforward and the whole idea is to engage and help young people find their passion and interests.”

Visit gcpld.org/comics-festival/ for a complete festival schedule.