As the latest film in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, Ant-Man and the Wasp, showcased, sometimes the smallest heroes pack the biggest punch. Inspired by the idea that children are our future heroes, Geppi’s Entertainment Museum (GEM) launched the first annual Little Heroes event on Sunday, June 7, 2015. “Both parents and kids loved the event,” said Laura Bevans, Director of Operations at GEM. Which is why it’s no surprise that the Little Heroes event soared into GEM several more times over the years.
Transforming the museum into a haven for crime fighting action, superparents and their little heroes were invited for a full day of caped crusading, Hulk-smashing, and battling to save the world. Along with the costumed kiddos, GEM staffers donned costumes themselves and hosted various events and crafts throughout the afternoon.
“It was a great atmosphere, filled with positive energy and very happy kids. They had a great time on all of the activities. But, the Little Heroes weren’t the only ones having fun. Seeing the kids smile had a positive effect on the parents, cosplayers, and GEM staff. It was a great event where children could bond with their parents and have a good time,” GEM Sales Manager Sharonda Quick once said.
Nearly every room in the 16,000-square-foot museum featured a different superhero themed activity. “The Comic Book Library room was always the Little Heroes obstacle course. Breaking down the Hulk Wall, 15 large boxes covered in brick paper, was the most popular in this room. The Mickey room was always the craft room, where children decorated their own cape and mask. In the TV room, we would cover the floor with bubble wrap and children would learn how to make superhero noises – kids loved it!” said Bevans.
“The Batman room was turned into the Bat Cave, where kids would have to make their way through a series of boxes on the floor. The ’80s room was usually another obstacle course dedicated to Superman. Kids would have to go into Superman’s telephone booth, jump over series of buildings (boxes), lift boulders (made out of styrofoam) and lift a car over their head (large card board cut of a car),” Bevans added. After completing the various obstacle courses, the children were awarded a “Super Hero Certificate.”
Over the years, additional Little Heroes activities included crawling under Spider-Man’s web, hopping through Wonder Woman’s “Golden Hoops of Truth,” and the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Pizza Toss. One year, children were invited to take part in the Superhero Academy Course. Kids began the course as the Flash and bounced through the city, before walking on a plank of fire, doing the Spider-Man limbo, Hulk smashing through the city, and finally channeling Batman as they jumped through a ring of fire. The Little Heroes graduated the academy and received a medal at the end of the course.
Another event included a scavenger hunt to find the most Kryptonite hidden in museum cases. While playing “Find the Gems” the kids had to find gems that were stolen by villains. Three gems were hidden and the first three children to find them won gift cards for participating local establishments and attractions. The winner of the word scramble scavenger hunt won the Avengers version of the popular board game, Trouble. Other prizes for games and activities included superhero themed action figures, books, and toys, while all of the kids at the event got goodie bags filled with sports bottles, candy, and comic books.
Obstacle courses weren’t the only reasons parents and children looked forward to every year. During the 3-hour event, various cosplayers would play games with children in the main hallway. “Cosplayers were different every year, it depended on their schedule but through the years we had Superman, Batman, Spider-Man, Captain America, Deedpool, Harley Quinn, Wonder Woman, the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, and the Ghostbusters. The kids absolutely loved the characters and wanted their picture taken with all of them, the parents too.” Bevans said.
Although many attendees arrived to GEM in their best superhero costumes, comic book readers know that heroes often change, build on, or improve their costumes. The Little Heroes had the same chance in the craft area, where they had the opportunity to design their own cape, belt, mask, and cuffs for an epic superhero costume. They also had their pictures taken and then designed their own picture frames. “They loved the creativity that we put into it. There were activities for each child no matter how big or small,” said Quick.
When they weren’t being artistic or tackling the various games and physical activities the Little Heroes replenished their energy with plenty of snacks with raisins, chips, Animal Crackers, applesauce, juice boxes, fresh fruit, and Captain America cups, which were delicious layered desserts of blueberries, marshmallows, and sliced strawberries.
“Everybody really enjoyed the party and all the activities we had going on. Talk about smiling kids! It’s the event I looked forward to all year. It was just a really great time,” GEM Collections and Exhibits Manager Mike Solof said.
For many, the Little Heroes events served as their first experience with GEM. Seeing the pop culture museum transformed into a superhero themed oasis for children would make any one exclaim “Wow!” Attendees weren’t the only ones mesmerized by all GEM had to offer. “The first time I entered the museum the only thing I could say was wow! It was like nothing that I had ever seen before, I knew guests would just love this place,” said Bevans.
She added, “Every morning when I came in to work and turned on the lights, I would look to my right and then look to my left and say ‘good morning boys’. Who else has a job where they can say good morning to Superman? [laughs].”
Although GEM closed to the public on June 3, 2018, GEM staffers both past and present, as well as all those who attended the various events over the years, fondly remember the memories made in this one-of-a-kind gallery.
Editor’s Note: Over the next few months, we’ll have retrospectives of some of the great exhibits and events held at Geppi’s Entertainment Museum, which closed to the public on June 3, 2018 in advance of Steve Geppi’s donation of comic books, original comic book and comic strip art, and other vintage pop culture treasures to the Library of Congress. Items from his gift to the nation will be on display at the Library of Congress beginning in Fall 2018.
Other Installments in our Retrospective Series
Geppi’s Entertainment Museum in Photos - Part I
Zombie Gras
Atlas At Last
Artistry of Amanda Conner
A Look Back: Cosplay Masquerade