It’s a bird! It’s a plane! It’s the annual Superman Celebration in Metropolis!
Metropolis happens to be Superman’s home in the comics and movies, and in 1972, the city was declared the character’s official hometown by DC Comics and the Illinois General Assembly.
The town later added the annual festival, which is now in its 37th year. Superman Celebration organizer Karla Ogle says Metropolis will be almost overrun with Superman fans Thursday through Sunday.
“We’re not like the Metropolis of the movie. We’re a little bit more like Smallville,” Ogle said, referring to Superman’s fictional boyhood home. “We are actually about 6,500 people on a normal day, and then when the Superman Celebration rolls around, we get anywhere between 40 to about 60,000 people over the four days.”
The events this year feature guests from Superman-related TV shows and films, along with a film festival, costume contests, concerts, and comedy shows.
Most of the events are free. You can find out more at www.supermancelebration.net.