Pekar Fest Moved Indoors Due To Extreme Heat

CLEVELAND HEIGHTS, OH — Pekar Fest will be moved indoors due to concerns over extreme heat, the Heights Libraries announced Thursday. Forecasts call for a heat index of up to 110 degrees on Saturday.

An excessive heat watch was issued by the National Weather Service on Wednesday, warning that much of Northern Ohio would experience heat indexes of up to 109 degrees. A heat index is how hot it feels outside because of the combined effects of temperature and humidity.

Being outside for long periods of time could cause heat illness, stress or other ailments, the National Weather Service warned. To keep attendees safe and relatively cool, the 5th Annual Pekar Fest will now be held inside the Grog Shop and the Coventry branch of the Heights Libraries.

Library officials told Patch they're working on a program that will list where all vendors are located. Officials hope to have the guide finished by Friday afternoon. When that guide is available, Patch will share its details with readers.

Pekar Fest will start at 12 p.m. Here's a list of activities scheduled for the day:

All at the library:

Noon-1 p.m.: Anime film shorts

1:30-2:15 p.m.: Anime Cosplay Panel

2:30-3:15 p.m.: Women in Comix Panel

3:30-4:15: Readers Recommend Graphic Novels & Comics

4:30-6:30 p.m.: Movie: My Friend Dahmer
Q&A after with author/artist Derf

Kid Friendly stuff:

11 a.m.–1 p.m.: Facepainting with Wendy Cutler (at Library)

1 – 4 p.m.: Ongoing creative activities
• Chalk Art Contest facilitated by photographer Tyler Federico
and sponsored by Blick Art Materials (at Pekar Park)
• Collaborate on creation of a comic book
• Kids crafts with Talia (at Library)
• Zine making with Lake Erie Ink: “Characters in Your
Community”(at Library)

4:30 – 6:30 p.m.: CosPlay fashion show at B-Side/Grog Shop
Organized by Curtis O’Neal, Urban Otaku

Pekar Fest is named for Harvey Pekar, the author of "American Splendor," an autobiographical comic series. Pekar was known for his wit, his indelible Cleveland-ness, his unwavering focus on the trials of mundane life, and the incredible quality of his work. He was a longtime Cleveland Heights resident.

Patch will be on the scene Saturday! Look for Ohio Editor Chris Mosby during the festivities.

Heights Libraries Coventry branch is located at 1925 Coventry Road. The Grog Shop is at 2785 Euclid Heights Boulevard.