On Saturday, October 12th, the Fitchburg Armory hosted the first annual Fitchburg Fandom Festival, a celebration of pop culture organized by Merrick Henry.

This vibrant and diverse event was part of Merrick’s Dream It, Create It grant project, funded by CoFF33 Corp thanks to MassDevelopment’s TDI. The festival brought together fans of various genres, from comics to gaming, creating a unique space for creativity, community, and fandoms of all kinds to connect and have fun.

The Fitchburg Fandom Festival featured a dynamic lineup of panelists, including voice actors, industry tales, dancing, live music, and even a sword demonstration! Local vendors showcased comic artwork and handmade crafts, creating a marketplace for fans to enjoy.

Click here to download the full repository of edited event photos. [500 photos | 1.6GB | Link valid until 10/13/25]

*The Anomalies* dance to a mashup of classic video game music at the Fitchburg Armory.

Derek Craig (left) interviews Carlo Barbieri

The first panelist, Carlo Barbieri, a local director and editor, shared captivating stories from his time in the film industry, including memorable moments like walking on the beach with Leonard Nimoy and working alongside Stan Lee. Throughout his talk, Carlo emphasized the importance of kindness in the industry, reminding attendees that treating everyone with respect goes a long way in creative collaborations.

Next, Dan Burns of Dan Burns Swords captivated the crowd with an in-depth sword demonstration, walking attendees through the history of various sword types in chronological order. He explained how each sword would have been used in its historical context, offering fascinating insights into the evolution of these weapons. Festival-goers were thrilled to get hands-on, as they had the opportunity to hold the swords and ask questions, making the demo interactive and engaging.

Meanwhile, the festival also featured a nostalgic 90s living room gaming setup, with vintage couches surrounding an epic collection of gaming consoles. Attendees enjoyed classic systems like the NES, N64, Gamecube, and Nintendo Switch, alongside a PS5 featuring the brand-new Dragonball: Sparking! ZERO. Games like Mortal Kombat and Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles brought smiles to both kids and adults, offering a fun and interactive experience for all ages.

Logan Raposo considers violence (Just kidding, they were lovely.)

Logan Raposo shared insights into their career as an actor, voice actor, and cosplayer, noting that they are often cast as a villain but always prioritize consent and kindness on set. Logan is known for their role as the Silver Ranger in Power Rangers Unworthy and will soon appear as Max Dillon in the upcoming TV series Marvel Adventures: Spider-Man and the Monsters of Manhattan. Their discussion highlighted the importance of professionalism and care in the entertainment industry.

GM Hakim (left) is interviewed by Dr. Huh?

GM Hakim spoke about his journey as a full-time voice actor, offering valuable advice for those looking to break into the field—get training! With a diverse career spanning eLearning, animation, video games, and more, GM has lent his voice to major projects for companies like MARVEL SNAP and Penguin Random House, among others. His experience in various genres of voiceover work provided great insights for aspiring voice actors in the audience.

Death Over Simplicity (DOS) delivered an engaging hip-hop performance, packed with clever pop culture references throughout his lyrics. Using an audio sampler to elevate his set, DOS seamlessly blended beats and sounds to create a unique experience for the audience. He also gave a brief talk, explaining how pop culture and hip-hop have always been closely connected, tracing the genre's evolution and its deep roots in popular media.

The Anomalies delivered a standout performance, dancing to iconic video game music, with nods to Dance Dance Revolution, Mortal Kombat, Mario, and Street Fighter. Their routine even referenced Breakin' 2: Electric Boogaloo, hailed by this blog post writer as the greatest film of all time!

Dr. Huh? put on a dramatic performance with a Super Mario-themed ballad, while “Mario” from The Anomalies jumped in with an improvised dance, creating a fun and entertaining moment that kept the audience fully engaged.

Tahj Pomare's performance was all smooth vibes, kicking off with "Fly Me to the Moon" and then catching everyone off guard with a playful rendition of "Itsy Bitsy Spider."

Event organizer Merrick Henry lit up the stage with his high-energy performance, including a crowd-favorite rendition of "Bye Bye Bye." True to his pop star persona, Merrick broke out his signature sequin jacket and wowed everyone with his dynamic dance moves. As both performer and the driving force behind the event, his passion and energy were clear from start to finish!

We cannot confirm or deny that there was pelvic thrusting on stage at the Armory Senior Center.

The “Pop Fury” Power Rangers album/short film team

The performers from earlier in the day united for a fun announcement, forming a metaphorical Megazord to reveal the upcoming Merrick Henry “Pop Fury” Power Rangers album/short film. This exciting project will star Merrick Henry himself, along with Logan Raposo, Taj Pomare, J’Quan Oliver, Michael Wallman, Roro Anderson, and Brianna Antaya.

The evening wrapped up with Young Coff33 playing a hilarious Dungeons & Dragons campaign that felt more like a sitcom than tabletop gaming.

The group, hangry and causing chaos at a local bar, eventually set off to raid a manor and overthrow the local government—as one does.

Part of the team working the sensory-friendly room

A big thank you to Fitchburg State University and Calmer Con for organizing and sponsoring the sensory-friendly room at the event! Their efforts provided a calm and inclusive space for attendees who needed a break from the excitement, ensuring that everyone could enjoy the day comfortably. We appreciate their commitment to making the festival more accessible for all.

A huge thank you to all our incredible artists and vendors, including 4BZ Comics, Dragonfly Designs, Icarus, Kat's Kreations, The Pottery Paintin' Place, Space Viking Productions, and Fitchburg Art Museum! Your creativity helped make the event a success. We also want to extend extra gratitude to those not listed here—your contributions were just as valued and appreciated. Thanks to everyone for bringing your talent and energy to the festival!

This was an incredible event, and we can't wait to do it again next year! A special thank you to MassDevelopment TDI for their continued support, and to all the artists, vendors, participants, and attendees who made it such a success. Your energy and creativity brought the festival to life—thank you for being a part of it! See you next year! 🎉

First Annual Fitchburg Fandom Festival Recap

CoFF33 Corp.

First Annual Fitchburg Fandom Festival Recap

Post-Event Thank You: From the Desk of the Chief Visionary Officer

CoFF33 Corp.