Special Guests

Welcome to our special guests at MAPLD FanFest 2026!

Stop by, take pictures, and say hi!

Shooting Star Maid Café

Welcome to the Shooting Star Maid Café, the ultimate maid café experience where whimsy meets warmth. We provide a family-friendly convention-based experience. Come in and let our enchanting maids make your day a little brighter!

Visit their website Here

Programs:

Chef Emm

Millicent is the Chef Director and Owner of Cooking Canvas – a recreational cooking school whose tagline is Making Every Plate a Colorful Masterpiece. She has always been passionate about food, freshly prepared meals, and feeding others. She is also a Certified Nutrition Coach, and a Certified Food Safety Manager.

She is also one of our amazing Youth Librarians! Join her for her Fairy Garden Party program as she teaches you how to make homemade strawberry jam, clotted cream, and correctly brew tea.

Programs:

Emcee Monte

Emcee Monte is a BLERD, Hip Hop artist, and award-winning cosplayer who combines his love for the Hip Hop culture, cosplay, and fandom. He performs, makes cosplay, teaches others how to cosplay via workshops and YouTube tutorials, and is the leader of the Cosplay DJs. Join him for his cosplay workshop at MAPLD Fanfest!

Programs:

Colorful Smiles

Asma Bohra is a professional artist since who has a passion to do something creative in Painting. They do 3D Paintings with clay, home decor, face painting an Hennas. Stop by the library during MAPLD FanFest and get a beautiful henna design on your hands.

Programs:

  • Henna Artist | All Ages | 4 PM - 6 PM

501st Legion Midwest Garrison

The Midwest Garrison is the Illinois chapter of The 501st Legion, a Star Wars Imperial costuming club. The 501st is dedicated to the movie-quality costumes of the “villains” of the Star Wars universe. In addition to providing a network for fans to meet, MWG is committed to the community. We offer support at charity events, fundraisers, and social functions by appearing as film-authentic Star Wars characters.

Visit their website Here

Michael the Dragon

Hello, my name is Michael and I'm a Public Service Librarian at Matteson Public Library District. I've been suiting for a little under two years now with my purple dragon. I've been doing so to bring smiles to other people and help myself be more expressive. It's a wonderful way to entertain while encouraging me to stay fit and healthy.