Millcreek-area teens who love anime, cosplay or fan art have a free two-day convention coming Sept. 11–12, run by the same Salt Lake County Library system that operates the Millcreek branch.

ToshoCON 2026 runs Friday, Sept. 11 (4–9 p.m.) and Saturday, Sept. 12 (3–9 p.m.) at the library's Viridian Event Center, 8020 S 1825 W in West Jordan. The event is open to anyone ages 12–19, and no ticket or registration is needed to walk in. Parents can drop off teens; the West Jordan branch library sits on the other side of the building.

The convention bills itself as a "first con" experience that introduces teens to anime convention culture in a safe, library-run setting.

Contests and activities

Attendees can watch cosplay competitions in four categories (beginner, intermediate, master and performance), an anime music video contest, and art judging across hand-drawn, digital, 3D and comics divisions. Prizes go to first place and honorable mention in each art category. An unjudged Idol Showcase for group skits and dances takes place Saturday.

The lineup also includes teen-led panel discussions, a Random Play Dance and teen vendor booths, all free.

Who's judging

Three art judges bring professional credentials to the panel. Dave Simon, a concept designer at Falcon's Creative Group in Orlando, is currently working on the official Dragonball theme park and previously taught youth art and design courses at the University of Utah for six years.

Jeremy Hodges, lead technical artist at Tripwire Interactive, recently shipped Killing Floor 3 for PlayStation 5, Windows and Xbox. He holds two degrees in entertainment arts and engineering from the U of U, where he now teaches technical art as an adjunct professor. According to his official bio on the library's event page, Hodges taught himself basic animation as a kid by flipping through hundreds of Microsoft Paint files.

Claire Pettingill, a ToshoCON alumna who attended every year throughout high school, rounds out the art panel. Now a freelance artist and student at Purdue University, she will judge remotely.

What parents should know

Teens can come and go throughout the event. The convention enforces a zero-bullying policy, and all cosplay props are peace-bonded at entry. Quiet spaces and courtesy phones are available inside the library.

Due to high attendance in prior years, new capacity guidelines are in effect. The library has not published specific capacity numbers.

Upcoming community events

• Sept. 11–12 — ToshoCON 2026, Viridian Event Center, West Jordan. Free, ages 12–19. Details at slcolibrary.org/toshocon.