Other Miscellaneous Superman Stuff
2011 Superman Celebration in Metropolis, Illinois
Brandon Routh, the star of "Superman Returns", was the major special guest to attend the 2011 Superman Celebration in Metropolis, Illinois.
- Superman co-chairman Karla Ogle explained Routh had expressed interest in being a part of the Metropolis celebration but was unsure if his current filming schedule would allow him to make the trip. "Once we learned he could indeed travel in early June, we began finalizing the details to add him to our line-up," Ogle said. "We are so excited that he will be here in Metropolis!"
Read the full report at the Metropolis Planet website.
Comic book artists Jamal Igle and Freddie Williams II also be attended the Superman Celebration, which was held across June 9-12. Visit SupermanCelebration.net for further details.
Superman Celebration - WGBS Video News Reports
Superman Homepage reporters Ronda and Jamie Kelley... I mean, WGBS reporters Lois Lane and Clark Kent were on location during the 2011 Superman Celebration in Metropolis, Illinois.Day 1 - Thursday, June 9, 2011
In this first video we see the opening skit and ribbon cutting ceremony that officially opens the 2011 Superman Celebration.
While Superman is the reason many attend the annual Superman Celebration in the first place, it is the friends who become like family that have many people returning year after year. Superman fan Stephanie Perrin chats about the fun and festivities the Superfriends of Metropolis have each year. Also, recent flooding caused much destruction to many homes and businesses throughout the local area. We walk through the devastated Baymont Hotel and talk with Supermuseum owner Jim Hambrick about what it was like for him as the waters rose.
Day 2 - Friday, June 10, 2011
In the first of a series of seven videos from the second day of the 4-day Superman Celebration, Jamie and Ronda look at some of the local flavor, interviewing people attending the celebration, some for the tenth time and some for the first time.
In this second video from Friday, June 10 we meet a young fan, before checking in to the Q&A panel with Mark Pillow (Nuclear Man from "Superman IV") and Tracy Lewis (Darla from the "Superboy" TV series).
Watch Parts 4, 5 and 6 via YouTube.
Here is the final video report from Friday, June 10, in which we see the unveiling of the first shield for the Walk of Heroes project, we also meet a fan attending the celebration for the first time, and finish off Friday with a Superman who has a drinking problem.
Day 3 - Saturday, June 11, 2011
Saturday was the day that Brandon Routh, Sam Huntington and Alaina Huffman were in town for the Superman Celebration. For many fans, especially those who waited hours in line, the Autograph Signing sessions are the highlight of the day. Jamie and Ronda chat with fans inside the Metropolis Chamber of Commerce as they line up to get an autograph from Alaina, Sam and Brandon. We meet up with Superman fan and artist/painter Trevor Hawkins as he presents each of the celebrities with a specially painted gift.
Jamie and Ronda grabbed a few minutes with both Alaina Huffman (Black Canary on "Smallville") and Brandon Routh ("Superman Returns") for exclusive Superman Homepage interviews.
Saturday was also the day that saw Alaina Huffman (Black Canary on "Smallville"), Brandon Routh and Sam Huntington ("Superman Returns") attend the big Q&A in the main tent where fans got to ask the celebrities whatever questions they wanted.
Here we see the Annual George Awards and Auction which took place on Saturday, June 11.
Day 4 - Sunday, June 12, 2011
In Part 1 of the Sunday reports we meet Carie Hambrick at the Americana Museum, and Kenny Richardson (Ilya Salkind's agent for the Superman Celebration).
Next up we meet Heather and Danny Kelley, recipients of the Noel Award and George Award for the 2011 Superman Celebration, who do great work in the community dressed up as Superman and Supergirl, amongst other characters, supporting charities around America.
Parts 3-5 contains the 2011 Costume Contest.
In Part 6 we wish Superman fan Bob Lyzenga a Happy Birthday, an talk to Keith Howard, the winner of the Superman Costume Contest. We also meet up with fan Greg Carlson who shows a Superman cape that he owns with sketches and signatures from so many different artists and celebrities.
In the seventh and final video from the final day of the 2011 Superman Celebration we wish Noel Neill well, and sign off with the Closing Skit.
Many thanks to Jamie and Ronda Kelley for all their efforts throughout the Superman Celebration.
Photo Memories from 2011 Superman Celebration
Check out this gallery of photos from the autograph signing sessions, Q&A with Brandon, Sam Huntington and Alaina Huffman, and other great events during the 2011 Superman Celebration.
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| Q&A with Alaina Huffman, Brandon Routh and Sam Huntington | Q&A with Alaina Huffman, Brandon Routh and Sam Huntington | Q&A with Alaina Huffman, Brandon Routh and Sam Huntington | Costume Contest |
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| Heroes | Official Town Superman, Josh Boultinghouse | Brandon Routh | Brandon's autograph |
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| Sam Huntington | Sam, Alaina and Brandon | Sam, Alaina and Brandon | Brandon |
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| Alaina | Sam, Alaina and Brandon | Brandon Routh |
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| Brandon Routh | Brandon Routh | Sam Huntington |
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| Walk of Heroes | Walk of Heroes | Walk of Heroes |
Thanks to Michelle Lyzenga and Kenny Richardson for sharing their photos with the Superman Homepage.
Superman Celebration Schedule of Events
Superman Returns' star, Brandon Routh, headlines Metropolis Superman Celebration June 9-12
Other special guests:
Superman Returns' Sam Huntington
Smallville's Alaina Huffman
Superman IV's Mark Pillows
Superboy's Tracy Lewis
Numerous Comic Artists
One of Metropolis' biggest weeks of the year is drawing near. From Thursday, June 9, through Sunday, June 12 the town of fewer than 7000 people will become a real metropolis, or at least close to it, as thousands of visitors from around the country, and even around the world, visit for the 33rd annual Superman Celebration.
"It's a chance for people of all ages to come together and just enjoy a weekend of fun," explained Superman Celebration chairman, Karla Ogle. "You never know who you'll meet...and you never know what you'll see!"
The Celebration will include a Smallville tent where free children's activities are held each day, the "Man of Steel" tent where super strength competitions will draw interest, and the "Metro" tent were live music will be performed daily. "And, our Artist's Alley will welcome visitors as a place to learn about the creation of comic books," Ogle explained.
Many popular events are returning to this year's line-up including Celebrity autograph sessions, $1000 Costume Contest, Super Car Show, Supertrek Bike Ride, The George Awards and Auction, Superman Trivia, Color-A-Cape for kids, Super Dog Contest, and Supergirl and Superboy pageants, just to name a few.
Superman fans will have the chance to become an "Honorary Citizen of Metropolis" during the Celebration. Citizen certificates will be available for purchase at the Metropolis Chamber of Commerce during the Celebration and the mayor of Metropolis will conduct a "swearing in" ceremony at the Superman Statue.
The first inductee to the Metropolis Walk of Heroes will be announced at the Superman Statue on Friday evening. The Walk of Heroes will soon be constructed along the sidewalk between the Superman Statue and the Noel Neil statue.
As always, a big draw for Superman enthusiasts is the lineup of celebrities. Headlining this year's festival is Brandon Routh, who portrayed Superman and Clark Kent in the 2006 film, Superman Returns. When director Bryan Singer came aboard the project he insisted an unknown actor be cast in the part, in the tradition of the casting of the best-known film Superman, Christopher Reeve.
Singer was impressed by Routh's resemblance to the comic book icon and found the actor's humble mid-western roots perfect for the role. Following Superman Returns, he has had several supporting roles in television and film. More recently, he portrays the eponymous protagonist of another comic book film, Dylan Dog: Dead of Night.
In addition to Routh, Metropolis' most famous son will be sharing the spotlight with Sam Huntington, Alaina Huffman, Mark Pillows and Tracy Roberts.
Since 1996 Sam Huntington has appeared in thirteen feature films and seven television shows. Of these he is perhaps most recognized for his role as the Daily Planet cub reporter, Jimmy Olsen, in Superman Returns.
Sam was recently seen as "Eric" in Fanboys and just wrapped production on Dead Of Night where he stars opposite his Superman Returns co-star, Brandon Routh. Sam can been seen on the SyFy channel's new critically acclaimed hit series Being Human where he plays werewolf/tortured soul "Josh".
Canadian film and television actress Alaina Huffman portrays Dinah Lance/Black Canary on Smallville. She is also a regular cast member in the TV series Stargate Universe. Huffman has had roles in NCIS, Dawson's Creek and CSI: NY.
Routh, Huntington and Huffman will all participate in a Q&A Session at the Metro Tent at 11:30 a.m. Saturday, June 11. They will also participate in autograph sessions throughout the day at Banterra Bank. More details about how to obtain a ticket is listed in the schedule below and on www.supermancelebration.net . (Tickets are free but are limited.)
Two of the special guests slated to appear at Artist Alley include Mark Pillow and Tracy Lewis.
Pillow's sole movie role was as "Nuclear Man" in Superman IV: The Quest for Peace. In the 1987 superhero film, the last of the Superman theatrical movies starring Christopher Reeve as the Man of Steel, Superman battles Lex Luthor and his creation, a solar-powered evil clone of Superman called Nuclear Man. There will be a special screening of Superman IV at Artist Alley at 8:30 p.m. on Friday night.
Tracy Roberts Lewis portrayed "Darla", one of Lex Luthor's partners in crime on the television series, Superboy, starring Gerard Christopher. Fans of the show may agree that her most memorable episode was Darla Goes Ballistic. This episode will be shown at 7:30 p.m. Friday at Artist Alley. Roberts took a haitus from acting to raise her two daughters, but has recently revived her career.
Artists and writers who create superheroes and tell of their adventures are always one of the highlights of the Metropolis Superman Celebration. And this year, fans will have the opportunity to meet several of these talented individuals during the four-day event.
Members of the Mid-South Cartoonist Association will run the programming at the popular Artist Alley & Writers Way. Comic artists Martheus Antone Wade and Andrew Chandler will present a two-part "Breaking in the Business of Comics" seminar. Among other artists to be on hand for special events are Jamal Igle, Freddie Williams and Josh Elder.
Hands-on workshops, discussion panels, and question and answer sessions will take place along with the annual Fan Film Competition, run by Tim Brown of Inked Monkey Productions. For specific Artist Alley guests and information, see the schedule of events at www.supermancelebration.net.
During the Metropolis Superman Celebration, visitors can sample food items at numerous cafes-on-wheels and browse sidewalk sales. The always-popular carnival brings all sorts of exciting rides, along with concessions, including corn dogs and cotton candy.
Right in the middle of all of the activities visitors will have the opportunity to pose with the world-famous 15-foot-tall bronze statue of Superman and the near life-size statue of Noel Neil as Lois Lane and tour the SuperMuseum, which holds the largest collection of Superman memorabilia in the world. There are other interesting super-hero related attractions located throughout the city including a giant rock of kryptonite.
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 schedule of events for the Superman Celebration can be found at www.supermancelebration.net, or by calling the Chamber of Commerce at 800-949-5740. For information about Metropolis attractions and lodging, visit www.metropolistourism.com or call 877-424-5025.
Superman Celebration Schedule of Events
Thursday, June 9| 12:00 PM | Information and Souvenir Booth opens at Metro Tent |
| 5:00 PM | Sonshine Amusements opens -500 E. Fifth ST. |
| 5:00 PM | Opening Ceremony & Skit at Superman Statue with special guest: Miss Illinois, Whitney Thorpe-Klinsky |
| 5:30 PM | Lois Lane Award & Helping Hands Award at Metro Stage |
| 5:30 PM | Sign-in for window painting contest at Man of Steel Tent |
| 6-6:30 PM | Meet Superman at Superman Statue |
| 6:00 PM | Gospel Music with Cross Harmony on Metro Stage |
| 6:30 PM | "Super Friends" Meet, Eat, & Bowl at Bob's Bowling Alley |
| 7:00 PM | Color Superman Posters at Smallville Tent |
| 7:30 PM | Kids Karaoke at Smallville Tent |
| 7:00 PM | Gospel Music with Brian Free and Assurance |
Friday, June 10
| 7:00 AM | First half of Autograph session tickets available in front of Chamber, 1 per person. |
| 10:00 AM | Meet Superman! At Superman Statue |
| 10:00 AM | Artist Alley & Writer's Way open to public |
| 10-12 PM | Meet "Darla" Tracy Lewis & "Nuclear Man" Mark Pillow at Artist Alley |
| 10:30 AM | Superman Homepage Meet & Greet at Hardees |
| 11:00 AM | Superman Radio Show at Metro Tent |
| 11:00 AM | Cartooning for Kids with Lin Workman at Artist Alley |
| 11:00 AM | Freestyle Connection BMX Bike Stunt Show- Man of Steel Area |
| 11:30 AM | Supersilly Games at Smallville Tent |
| 11:30 AM | 2nd Annual Superman Super Site Meet & Greet at Dippin Dots |
| 12:00 PM | Part 1: "Breaking Into the Business of Comics" Seminar with Martheus Wade and Andrew Chandler at The Carpenters Union Hall, across from Noel Neil Statue. |
| 12:30 PM | "Kryptello" eating contest at Man of Steel Tent |
| 1:00 PM | Q & A with Tracy Lewis and Mark Pillow at Metro Tent |
| 1:30 PM | Freestyle Connection BMX Bike Stunt Show - Man of Steel Area |
| 1:30 PM | Hooked on Science with Jason Lindsey at Smallville Tent |
| 2:00 PM | DC Comics Q & A with special guest Jamal Igle & Freddie Williams II |
| 2:30 PM | Super fan Baseball game at Metropolis Sports Park (must sign release) |
| 2-5 PM | Meet "Darla" Tracy Lewis & "Nuclear Man" Mark Pillow at Artist Alley |
| 2-9 PM | Supercity Slugfest, baseball tournament at American Legion ballpark |
| 2:30 PM | Superman Trivia with the Rinaldi's at Metro Tent |
| 2:30 PM | Muley and Friends - Puppet Show at Smallville Tent |
| 3:00 PM | 60 Seconds to be Super! Fun contest at Man of Steel Tent |
| 4:00 PM | Kids Superhero Costume Contest at Smallville Tent |
| 5:00 PM | Costume Parade for all ages! Starts at Smallville tent- ends at Superman Statue |
| 5:00 PM | Sonshine Amusements Carnival opens - 500 E. Fifth Street |
| 5:30 PM | Unveiling of "Walk of Heroes" at Superman Statue |
| 5:30 PM | Freestyle Connection BMX Bike Stunt Show - Man of Steel Area |
| 6:00 PM | Meet Superman! At Superman Statue |
| 6:00 PM | Eddie Pennington at Metro Tent - Award Winning Guitarist |
| 6:00 PM | OMEGA FORCE - Christian Strength Team Exhibition- Man of Steel Area |
| 6:00 PM | Artist Alley & Writer's Way Closes |
| 7:00 PM | Kids Superhero Gameshow at Smallville Tent |
| 7:00 PM | Bluegrass music with Kati Penn & Newtown at Metro Tent |
| 7:00 PM | Doors reopen at Artist Alley for Movie nite $3.00 admission |
| 7:30 PM | Movie Nite- Adventures of Superboy- Darla Goes Ballistic with special introduction by Tracy Lewis - Artist Alley |
| 8:30 PM | Movie Nite - Superman IV: Quest for Peace with special introduction by Mark Pillow at Artist Alley |
Saturday, June 11
| 7:00 AM | 2nd half of Autograph Session tickets available in front of Metro Chamber. 1 ticket per person |
| 8:00 AM | Kiwanis Super Bike Trek- Starts at Fort Massac State Park |
| 9:00 AM | Autograph Session A at Banterra Bank. Ticket required. See autograph info in schedule book. Alaina Huffman, Brandon Routh, Sam Huntington |
| 10:00 AM | Artist Alley & Writer's Way opens to public |
| 10:00 AM | ZUMBA with Michelle & the Metropolis Z-Crew at Superman Square |
| 10-12 PM | Meet "Darla" Tracy Lewis & "Nuclear Man" Mark Pillow at Artist Alley |
| 10:00 AM | Hooked on Science with Jason Lindsey at Smallville Tent |
| 10:00 AM | Autograph Session B at Banterra Bank. Ticket required. See autograph info in schedule book. Alaina Huffman, Brandon Routh, Sam Huntington |
| 10:00 AM | Washer Pitching Tournament at Metropolis Girl Scout House |
| 10:00 AM | Superman Challenge - Man of Steel Area with Metropolis Fire Dept. |
| 10 - 9PM | Supercity Slugfest Baseball Tournament at American Legion ballpark |
| 10:30 AM | Freestyle Connection BMX Bike Stunt Show- Man of Steel area |
| 11:00 AM | Meet Superman! At Superman Statue |
| 11:00 AM | "Digitally Drawing Comics" with Freddie Williams II at Artist Alley |
| 11:00 AM | Weigh-in for SLP Superman Classic Deadlift & Benchpress Comp. Man of Steel area |
| 11:30 AM | Q & A at Metro Tent - Alaina Huffman, Brandon Routh & Sam Huntington |
| 12:00 PM | Super Silly Games at Smallville Tent |
| 1:00 PM | Superman Trivia with the Rinaldi's at Metro Tent |
| 1:00 PM | "Reading with Pictures" program with Josh Elder at Artist Alley |
| 1:00 PM | Color a Cape with Metropolis Planet on the Courthouse lawn |
| 1:00 PM | SLP Superman Classic Deadlift & Benchpress Competition -Man of Steel area |
| 2:00 PM | SuperDog Show at Smallville Tent |
| 2:00 PM | Part II "Breaking into the Business of Comics" seminar with Martheus Wade and Andrew Chandler at Carpenters Union Hall, across from Noel Neil Statue. |
| 2-5 PM | Meet "Darla" Tracy Lewis & "Nuclear Man" Mark Pillow at Artist Alley |
| 2:30 PM | VIP Autograph Session at Banterra Bank. VIP ticket required. Alaina Huffman, Brandon Routh & Sam Huntington |
| 3:00 PM | Metropolis Citizen Swearing-in Ceremony at Superman Statue |
| 3:00 PM | Sign-in for Beautiful Baby contest at Smallville tent |
| 3:30 PM | Freestyle Connection BMX Bike Stunt Show- Man of Steel area |
| 4:00 PM | Autograph Session C at Banterra Bank. Ticket required. See info in schedule book. Alaina Huffman, Brandon Routh, & Sam Huntington. |
| 4:00 PM | Sound Check for WMOK Country Showdown at Metro Tent |
| 4:00 PM | Beautiful Baby Contest at Smallville Tent |
| 5:00 PM | Sonshine Amusements Carnival opens at 500 E. Fifth Street |
| 5:00 PM | Sign-in for Supergirl &Superboy Pageant at Smallville Tent. Must be pre-registered. |
| 5:00 PM | Freestyle Connection BMX Bike Stunt Show- Man of Steel area |
| 5:00 PM | WMOK Country Showdown at Metro Tent |
| 5:00 PM | Autograph Session D at Banterra Bank. Ticket required. See info in schedule book. Alaina Huffman, Brandon Routh, & Sam Huntington |
| 5:30 PM | OMEGA FORCE Christian Strength Team Exhibition - Man of Steel area |
| 6:00 PM | Supergirl & Superboy pageant at Smallville tent |
| 6:00 PM | Ohio Valley Car Show at Washington Park |
| 6:00 PM | George & Noel Awards and SuperAuction at Metropolis Community Center |
| 6:30 PM | Artist Alley & Writer's Way closes |
| 7:00 PM | Classic Rock & Blues with Crestview Kings at Metro Tent |
| 7:00 PM | Doors reopen at Artist Alley & Writer's Way |
| 7:30 PM | Fan Film Competition presentation and awards ceremony |
| 7:30 PM | Renegade Pro Wrestling- 2011 Superman Celebration Smack Down- Man of Steel area |
| 10:30 PM | After Hours Dance Party at Artist Alley & Writer's Way. Characters welcome! |
Sunday, June 12
| 8:00 AM | Rotary Club Car Show at Fort Massac State Park |
| 10-12:30 | AM Sign-up for $1000 Costume Contest at Metro Tent |
| 10:30 AM | Winners of Art Contests announced at Metro Tent |
| 11:00 AM | Stump the Superman Expert at Metro Tent |
| 11:00 AM | Kids Gameshow at Smallville Tent |
| 12:00 PM | Metropolis Citizen Swearing-in Ceremony at Superman Statue |
| 12:30 PM | Parade of Characters! $1000 Costume Entrants will parade down Market Street |
| 12:30 PM | OMEGA FORCE Christian Strength team exhibition - Man of Steel area |
| 1:00 PM | $1000 Costume Contest at Metro Tent |
| 2:30 PM | Kid's Karaoke and Color a giant comic at Smallville Tent |
| 3:00 PM | Kid's Scavenger Hunt at Smallville Tent |
| 3:00 PM | Renegade Pro Wrestling - 2011 Superman Celebration Smack Down at Man of Steel area. Admission is $10 |
| 4:00 PM | Closing Skit |