You don’t have to be faster than a speeding bullet or more powerful than a locomotive, and you certainly don’t have to leap tall buildings in a single bound. At Metropolis’ Superman Celebration, everyone is welcome—even if you don’t have a single superpower.
If you go
5 p.m. June 8-2 p.m. June 11
Free admission
Just imagine: a county fair complete with food and games, then mix in a little bit of Comic Con with superheroes and villains everywhere you turn, and top it off with a small-town atmosphere.
Metropolis, Ill., officially designated as the hometown of Superman, embodies the spirit of small-town America, and each year it welcomes more than 50,000 fans (most in costume) to share their love of the Man of Steel. At just five-and-a-half hours from Chicago, a visit to the southern Illinois town makes for a perfect road trip. Fun game: see how many times you spot the word “super” in Clark Kent’s neck of the woods.
The 2017 festival is dedicated to the memory of Noel Neill, the actress who played Lois Lane in The Adventures of Superman television show. She was a frequent guest at the celebration and Metropolis has embraced the leading lady with a life-sized bronze statue in her honor.
The action-filled weekend packs enough punch for any superhero-loving family with music, a carnival, a 5K run, a bike trek and a car show. Little superheroes can join the fun by entering the Little Miss Super Girl and Super Boy pageant.
And don’t miss these other super activities:
• Get to know some celebrity guests at a Q&A session. Then grab an autograph. This year features Erica Durance from Smallville, Margot Kidder from the Superman movies, and Sarah Douglas, who played Ursa in the first two movies.
• Meet your favorite comic artists and writers. Stop by Artist Alley to meet some artists and writers, then buy one of their creations for a one-of-a-kind souvenir.
• Come in costume. If you’re rocking your best Lex Luthor or Lois Lane look, you might as well enter the Super Hero and Villains Costume Contest. After all, you could walk away with $2,000!
• Pose for a photo. Don’t leave before you take at least one shot, selfie or otherwise, with the 15-foot Superman statue found on Superman Square. The massive Man of Steel is hard to miss.
During the festival, Metropolis’ accommodations fill up fast, so make like a speeding bullet and book them now. For the best home-cooked breakfast (ask for their red velvet waffles with chocolate chips) and the best hospitality out there, try staying at the family-friendly Summer’s Riverview Mansion B&B.
And if you can’t make it during this year’s festival, no worries. Superfans of all stripes are welcome in Metropolis throughout the year.
