Sherma-Con

Sherma-Con returns to the Sherman Theater in downtown Stroudsburg on January 31, running from 10 a.m. until 6 p.m. with a full schedule of comic book vendors, cosplay contests, tabletop gaming, artist alley booths, and panel discussions. General admission runs around $25 per person, with kids 12 and under typically entering for $15, and the single-day format makes it an accessible entry point for families new to pop culture conventions.

The Sherman Theater, built in 1929 at 524 Main Street, features multiple floors and rooms for various activities, with the main theater hosting costume contests and larger panels, while vendor tables fill the lobby and adjacent spaces. Parking is available in municipal lots within two blocks, and the Stroudsburg train station offers weekend service for car-free attendees.

The convention features 50-plus vendor tables selling comic books, graphic novels, action figures, vintage toys, and artist-created prints, with a strong focus on independent creators and regional talent. Recent editions have included appearances by comic book illustrators, voice actors from animated series, and local cosplay groups who lead workshops on costume construction and prop-making.

The cosplay contest, held around 2 p.m. in the main theater, draws participants of all ages and skill levels, with categories for kids, teens, and adults. Tabletop gaming runs throughout the day in dedicated rooms, with open play for Dungeons & Dragons, Magic: The Gathering, and board games, plus organized tournaments with small prizes. January weather in Stroudsburg is cold, typically in the 30s, but the indoor event keeps things comfortable, and many attendees arrive in full costume despite the winter temperatures.

Sherma-Con attracts comic book collectors, families with genre-loving kids, cosplayers, and tabletop gamers, with a crowd that peaks around midday when the cosplay contest and panel schedule overlap. The event is deeply family-friendly, with a kids’ zone offering face painting, superhero photo ops, and comic book drawing workshops. Food is not included in admission, but Stroudsburg’s Main Street is steps from the theater, offering quick access to cafes, pizza shops, and sandwich counters for meal breaks. Plan to arrive when doors open at 10 a.m. to browse vendor tables before they get crowded, then return for the afternoon costume contest and closing panel sessions.

Make Sherma-Con part of a Poconos winter weekend by booking a rental on Lake.com near Camelback Mountain or Shawnee Mountain, both offering skiing and snowboarding within a 15-minute drive of Stroudsburg. After the convention, grab dinner at Trackside Grille & Bar for casual American fare, or head to The Cure Café for coffee and desserts in a cozy downtown setting.