The Super Museum

Superman Celebration

The mission of the Super Museum is to preserve and showcase an array of Superman collectables and information for the education and enjoyment of visitors and fans of the Man of Steel.

Celebrating the Man of Steel

Superman walked the streets of Metropolis for the 31st year in a row as the annual Superman Celebration took place June 11-14, 2009 in the small Ohio River town of Metropolis, Illinois.

“It’s a chance for people of all ages to come together and just enjoy a weekend of fun,” explained Metropolis Tourism Director Angie Shelton. “You never know who you’ll meet…and you never know what you’ll see!” People from all over the world travel to Metropolis each year for this unique celebration and many were dressed as their favorite Super Hero.

Celebrity guests at the 31st annual festival included Justin Hartley and Phil Morris from television’s Smallville; Noel Neill, Lois Lane from The Adventures of Superman; and Beverly Washburn, the child actor from Superman and the Mole Men. Hartley, Morris and Neill participated in a Q & A session as well as autograph sessions on Saturday, June 13th. Washburn was available to meet with fans Friday and Saturday.

To honor Noel Neill, the “first lady of Metropolis, a ground breaking ceremony for a statue of her likeness took place on Thursday, June 11, 2009 at 5:30pm at the corner of 8th and Market streets. Engraved bricks are being sold to help fund the statue project. Neill also took part in a tribute to George Reeves Friday evening as it was the 50th anniversary of Reeves’ death.

Beverly Washburn took part in another tribute to George Reeves on Saturday when the uncut version of Superman and the Mole Men movie was shown.

Artists and writers Gail Simone, Mike Norton, John Ostrander and Josh Elder along with member of the Mid-south Cartoonist Association were among those who shared their love of comics with visitors to Metropolis.

Free live entertainment on Superman Square included gospel music by Cross Harmony and the Kingsmen on Thursday evening; the Scott Air Force Band, Hot Brass on Friday evening and Sunday afternoon; and the Colgate Country Showdown on Saturday night.

Merle Haggard and Shooters Jennings performed in an outdoor concert at Harrah’s Saturday night as well.

Celebration Co-Chairperson Karla Ogle explained that there would be events for people of all ages. “The Celebration includes a “Smallville” tent where free children’s activities are held each day, an amusement park with concessions and rides and a “Man of Steel” tent where “super” strength competitions are held, “ she said. “Our Artist’s Alley welcomes visitors as a place to learn about the creations of comic books and our street fair is filled with vendors, food and even features a rock climbing wall,” she added.

Plus right in the middle of all of the activities visitors have the opportunity to tour the Super Museum, which holds the largest collection of Superman memorabilia in the world, and pose with the world-famous 15-foot-tall bronze statue of Superman.

Many popular events returned to this year’s line-up including the $1000 Costume Contest, Super Car Show, Supertrek Bike Ride, The George Awards and Auction, Color-A-Cape for kids, Superman Road Race, The Super Dog Contest, the Supergirl and Superboy pageants and many more activities.

New to the 2009 line-up was a Kentucky Harley’s Owners Group Bike show on Saturday afternoon at Dorothy Miller Park.

Superman fans had the chance to become an “honorary citizen of Metropolis” for the first time during this 31st Annual Celebration. Citizen certificates were available for purchase at the Metropolis Chamber of Commerce during the Celebration and the mayor of Metropolis held a “swearing in” ceremony at the Superman Statue.

Metropolis, Illinois is the only town with the same name as the fictional city made famous in comic books. It is located at the southern tip of Illinois where the Ohio River meets Paducah, Ky. A complete recap of the schedule of events for the 2009 Superman Celebration can be found at www.supermancelebration.net, or by calling the Chamber of Commerce at 800-949-5740.

For more information about other attractions in Metropolis, visit www.metropolistourism.com or call 877-424-5025.