The movie Elf has carved out a spot as a family holiday favorite since its 2003 release, but only the humans who share a true affinity for elf culture braved the near-arctic temps Friday night for Akron’s first Elf Con at Lock 4.
Nearly 100 kids and adults showed up to the park to compete in costume and trivia contests, drink “the world’s best cup of coffee” and watch the tale of an oversized elf who finds his real father in New York City.
Around a fire pit, 8-year-old Sam Mathena and 8-year-old Jason King munched on prizes they won from trivia that included an elf’s four main food groups: candy, candy canes, candy corn and syrup.
“I do love it,” Jason said about the movie.
Jason’s mom, Anna King of Barberton, mentioned only briefly how cold it was outside.
“We are big Elf fans though, so it doesn’t matter,” she said with a smile.
“This is three generations of Elf lovers,” chimed in Andrea King, Jason’s grandma.
Elf lovers were all around the park, taking an occasional break from the cold inside a heated tent, where Etch A Sketch toys were set up for drawing competitions along with jack-in-the-boxes for testing.
“Ready, set, go!” yelled 8-year-old Sophia Hardy as she tried to turn the crank of a jack-in-the-box faster than her friends.
Sophia sported a matching hat with her mom, Chrissy Hardy of Akron, that said, “You don’t smell like Santa.”
“We’re huge fans of this movie,” Chrissy Hardy said. “And I love this location. I think not many people know it exists.”
Her husband, James Hardy, who is the chief of staff to Mayor Dan Horrigan and helped organize the event, also is a fan of the holiday classic.
James Hardy said the city brainstormed ways to draw people downtown in the winter, and Elf seemed like a great start.
“This is as Elf as it gets,” Hardy said. “It’s a great family thing, great family movie, it’s fun.”
Not all in attendance were die-hard fans, though — even those who appeared to be.
Cordell Solomon of Barberton sat near the fire decked from head to toe in a green and red elf costume, complete with a hat with bells and two pointy ears. He has dressed as an elf plenty of times for work Christmas parties, but he’d never seen the movie named after his fellow brethren before Friday.
“That’s why I wanted to come here and see it,” Solomon said.
The Claus-O’Meter ticked up as people trickled into the park, bought beef and cheese sandwiches from a Swensons food truck and coffee from Akron Coffee Roasters to keep warm and enjoyed the park’s holiday atmosphere.
“All the lights make the place come alive,” said 16-year-old Richard Williams of Akron.
Richard was there with four other friends, who all agreed the night was as fun as the movie.
“Elf is my favorite movie,” said 17-year-old Tayler Frame of Akron. “This really captures the Christmas spirit. I think it’s really important for the community.”
Theresa Cottom can be reached at 330-996-3216 or tcottom@thebeaconjournal.com. Follow her on Twitter @Theresa_Cottom .