Adults-only Avengers Night at Rust Library May 21

Through superhuman strength and just a touch of magic, Rust Library (380 Old Waterford Road NW, Leesburg) is being transformed into the Marvel Universe for Avengers Night on Saturday, May 21, from 7 to 10 p.m.

Adults 18 and older are invited to an evening of cosplay, trivia, photo ops, a costume contest, maker demonstrations, and more than a dozen local artists, with a chance to be a real-life hero by donating nonperishable items to Loudoun Hunger Relief. Items in need include canned goods, dry beans, whole-grain pasta and rice, peanut butter, whole-grain cereal, and healthy cooking oil.

“We’re really excited to give adults an opportunity to dress up and have a fun night out,” said Greg Bowman, an adult services librarian at Lovettsville Library and the organizer of Avengers Night. “And food banks typically see an increased demand in summer when schools let out, so this is the perfect excuse to step up and be a hero for our friends and neighbors.”

The celebration of Marvel’s mightiest characters also marks the return after a two-year hiatus of Loudoun County Public Library’s signature after-hours event exclusively for adults, following in the footsteps of such festivities as Star Wars Night in 2019 and Game of Thrones Night in 2018.

Other highlights of Avengers Night include an Infinity Stone scavenger hunt, and local band Felix Pickles paying tribute to Guardians of the Galaxy with a retro-flavored music lineup. Attendees can also witness three Super Art Fight throwdowns, which pit regional illustrators against one another in live art competitions, mixing elements of pro-wrestling styled storytelling, character work and improvised humor.

“If you haven’t been to a library in a while, this is a great way to experience everything that’s available,” Bowman said. “Especially for people who love comics, the library is a goldmine. You can get comics on your phone or tablet the day they’re released to the public.”

Local food trucks Kabul Kabob House, New Gourmet Delight and Tummy Yumyum Gourmet Candy Apples will have food for sale.

To help attendees get around on Avengers Night, free shuttle service will be available to Rust Library from the parking lot shared by the Leesburg Senior Center and Loudoun County Public Library’s administrative offices at 102 North St. NW. Shuttles will run continuously from 6:30-10:30 p.m.

For complete information about Avengers Night, go to library.loudoun.gov/Avengers-Night.