SANDPOINT — Sandemonium was extra special this year as the community’s celebration of fandom and nerdy fun packed the Sandpoint Library.

“It’s gone great,” event chairperson Michael Nickerson said. “I’m having fun, and I think everyone is having fun — and I think that’s the best metric I can use.”

From board games to Dungeons & Dragons to miniature painting, cosplay rubber duck creation and panel discussions, Sandemonium X capped the fun with a 3 p.m. cosplay contest won by a resident who created her own Mandalorian outfit.

Founded in 2015, Sandemonium began as a library event tied to the Teen Summer Reading Program before evolving into a full-fledged fandom convention celebrating everything from anime, comics, sci-fi and fantasy to tabletop gaming, video games, esports and cinema.

Nickerson said it was fun to look around and see everyone enjoying themselves — some concentrating on creating miniatures, others playing games and hanging out.

“It’s all just wonderful,” he said, looking around the packed conference room at the Sandpoint Library with a big grin.

Also in attendance was Aurora Bearly, who said she had so much fun last year that she couldn’t wait to attend this year’s Sandemonium.

“I just love it because I’m able to talk with people,” the middle school student said as she concentrated on painting a miniature figurine. “I absolutely love art, and being able to get into the detail for the creatures and characters — it’s just so much fun to me.”

She loves the freedom of picking a miniature and bringing a character to life through customization — or in Saturday’s case, taking a piece of another miniature to add an extra detail to the end of her miniature’s spear.

Bearly said she loves that Sandemonium celebrates everyone, regardless of which genres they favor or what games are their favorite.

“A lot of times in middle school, there can be a lot of judgment on what you like,” she said. “Here, no one judges you. We’re all here for the same thing — to have fun.”

Anyone who missed out on this year’s Sandemonium should make it a point to attend next year, Bearly said.

“When you come here, you can have the best social interactions with the most random people,” she added. “It’s just a lot of fun.”

She loves the vibe of the event, as well as the chance to do things she enjoys — such as role-playing games — and try new ones.

And that’s just what he likes to hear, Nickerson said — that people are having fun and enjoying something they love.

Nickerson has been involved in the fandom celebration since the beginning, attending the first event with his son. They had so much fun that Nickerson joined the group, then the board, and now serves as the event chairperson.

Kozu Kin, who grew up in Sandpoint, drove up from Coeur d’Alene, where she now lives, both to see friends she knew would be at the event and to have fun.

“It’s always fun,” Kin said. “I brought my deck so I can play Magic with a bunch of people and just have fun.”

Halfway through the event, Sandpoint Library officials surprised the fandom board — and Sandemonium attendees — with a birthday cake to celebrate the milestone.

“We’re all excited to be here,” Nickerson told the crowd after the cake was unveiled. “We feel like this is home.”

For more information on Sandemonium, visit 7bcon.com.