SLIPPERY ROCK TWP — There were plenty of elaborate costumes at the public library on Saturday, and none of them had to do with Halloween.

The first Rock-Con was held from 8 a.m. to 11 p.m. at the library's recreation hall, and activities existed for everyone from cosplayers to LARPers.

The event attracted enthusiasts of fantasy-type video and board games, people who wear a costume to take on the persona of their favorite movie, anime or video game character (cosplay), those who enjoy live action role-playing (LARP) of their favorite games or movies, and lightsaber enthusiasts.

“We are all the kids who did not play soccer,” said Eric Chapman of Slippery Rock, who volunteered to facilitate two games in the role-playing room at the library.

There, Chapman explained, six or eight players sit around a table and play a game in which each player assumes a character.

The actions of the characters are determined by rolling dice, and the outcome of the game's mission depends on the actions of the players.

A role-playing game can last several hours or even days, but the games at Rock-Con were kept shorter so everyone could play.

Forrest McDowell of Slippery Rock Township played Advanced Dungeons and Dragons at one of the tables in the role-play room.

In his game, which was specially written for Rock-Con, the mission was to find stolen books for a fictional library.

“I enjoy playing these games,” McDowell said. “It's my hobby. I get a certain catharsis out of playing.”

He said improvising during the game's mission and meeting and socializing with others who share similar interests are two reasons he enjoys “cons,” which is short for conventions.

Peter Bess, the children's librarian at Butler Public Library, facilitated a game of Dungeons & Dragons in the role-play game room.

“I love the camaraderie and everyone enjoying diving into another world together,” Bess said.

He said role-play games are good for con enthusiasts.

“I could sit home all day and play video games,” Bess said, “but I'm not meeting people that way.

“Here, we all get to play a game we all love.”

In the board game room, members of the Slippery Rock University Gaming Guild brought their collection of fantasy board games for Rock-Con visitors to play.

Guild members also taught individuals unfamiliar with the games how to play, and held a tournament using the popular fantasy game Magic The Gathering.

A large room in the rear of the library building served as the cosplay room. Cosplay is a shortened version of “costume play.”

Enthusiasts dressed as Willy Wonka, Luffy from the anime “One Piece,” an elf from the “Lord of the Rings” trilogy, a ghostbuster from the movie of the same name and many others attended the panel discussion “Cosplay 101.”

The panel included youth pastor Spike Bowen of Munhall, who dressed as a Mandalorian from the “Star Wars” series, and Jarred Daski of Lebanon, Pa., who wore an elaborate Captain America costume.

The panel members talked about topics such as making versus buying a costume, how to make certain features of a costume, the amount of travel involved in being a dedicated cosplay enthusiast, characters and the games and movies that inspired them, and even 3D printing of costumes.

Bowen extolled the virtues of those who attend cons. He said Republicans and Democrats, gay and straight, and all skin colors come together to have fun and live out their fantasies at cons.

“There are doctors and lawyers to gas station attendants,” said Bowen. “I call it the Church of Geek.”

He said it allows those who might otherwise languish in their homes playing video games to come out and socialize and be accepted without judgment.

“The whole world should be like these people,” Bowen said.

Ron Rummell, one of Rock-Con's organizers, agreed.

“These people are salt of the earth,” Rummell said. “They are the best, most caring people.”

Daski, clad in his Captain America costume from head to toe, goes to about 20 cons per year. His other cosplay roles include the Green Arrow, Batman, Spider-Man and Cyclops from the comic book and movie “X-Men.”

Most of the cosplay events he attends are charitable or fundraising events, which he does as a volunteer.

He said Captain America is very popular at children's hospitals and libraries.

“I'm out four times a month doing events,” Daski said. “Why? The simple answer is, I'm a huge nerd.”

He said he always liked superheroes and began investing in cosplay. He then had the epiphany that he could use his cosplay to benefit people and charities, which cemented his dedication to the hobby.

“I can do something good and have fun doing it,” Daski said, “and meet great people along the way.”

Dave Schnur of Butler attended Rock-Con as a representative of Circle of Swords, a gaming and convention group that has donated more than $70,000 to charity in its 30-year history.

“It's a way for everyone to get together,” Schnur said. “We're all nerds in one way or another.”

Schnur also raved about the character of the con contingent.

“They are the friendliest and most honest people I've ever met,” Schnur said.

The warm, sunny weather on Saturday also allowed outdoor activities at Rock-Con, including LARP, which is an acronym for “live action role-playing.”

In LARP, characters take on the persona of their cosplay to physically participate in a game. LARPers improvise speech and actions to play the game as their character.

At 2 p.m., Rock-Con's LARP changed to Dagohir, a fantasy battle-type LARP based on “Lord of the Rings.”

The LARP pavilion outside of the library was given over to the Outer Rim Praxeum Lightsaber Academy, and members performed a dramatic light-saber routine in the dark.

An escape room and art vendor rounded out the outdoor features at the event.

Rock-Con also featured a silent auction that included coveted items such as autographed photographs of actor Michael Cudlitz of the popular TV show “The Walking Dead” and Nancy Allen of “RoboCop.”

Rummell said he hopes to hold a more expansive, multiday event next year at YMCA/Camp Armco Park.

Proceeds from Rock-Con benefited the Slippery Rock Public Library, which recently broke ground for a new library just up the road from the current location.

Chapman summed up the first Rock-Con on Saturday.

“This is a really nice first event,” he said. “It brought in a lot of people, so hopefully we'll get a lot of money for the library and everyone had a good time.”