Nerds Assemble!
Contributed by David Spinelli, Court Jester PHS D&D Club
Fans of tabletop gaming, fantasy, comics, and pop culture will gather in Palmer this spring for Nerd Con 2026, the annual convention hosted by the Palmer High School Dungeons & Dragons Club. The event, scheduled for April 4 at Palmer High School, serves as both a celebration of fandom and a key fundraiser supporting the club’s activities throughout the year.
Nerd Con has grown steadily in recent years, drawing community members from across the Mat Su Valley. Attendees can expect tabletop gaming sessions, cosplay, interactive displays, and a diverse marketplace featuring local artists, creators, and organizations.
This year’s vendor lineup showcases a wide range of talent. Handmade and artisan vendors include Witches Stitches, Dragon’s Tide Gifts, Kinley’s Kandi Shop, Birch Grove Studios, Pottery Nut, Sean’s 3D Prints, and AntBlair Creations. Fantasy and fandom groups such as Last Frontier Ghostbusters, 907 Star Wars, Amtgard, and 3 Barons Ren Fair will also be present. Collectors and gamers can visit booths from Game Theory, Last Frontier Toys & Collectibles, and Arctic Comic Con.
Community organizations including Palmer & Wasilla Libraries, Sacred Seeds Foundation, and the Anchorage Scale Modeling Club will offer information and activities. Additional vendors such as AK Cool Rugs, Smitten Tea Art, Feather & Fae, Hats Matter, and Jack White Real Estate round out the diverse exhibitor list.
Organizers say the event highlights creativity, imagination, and community connection while helping sustain the school’s D&D Club programs. Nerd Con remains a family friendly celebration of Alaska’s growing nerd culture scene.