August has been a busy month for us here - the Early Bird Registration deadline has passed, and our available tables have dwindled from close to 40 down to a scant 12 tables available, with a little more than two months left before the Fest! The Exhibitors List has just been updated to show the tremendous number of excellent cartoonists, illustrators, writers, and publishers who will be joining us this October! There's still time for you to get your name on that list, you know! The official deadline is September 15, though it's entirely possible that we may run out of available space before that. Once all the tables are gone I'll be starting a waiting list, and will then begin assigning tables, if they become available, on a first-come-first-served basis. In 2005, not enough exhibitors cancelled to allow for the full waiting list a chance at a table, so we actually had to add a few more tables to the room. Sadly, that will not be an option this year, so if you want to be sure to get a table, I'd recommend sending your registration form in ASAP.

If you look on the left here, you'll find a sample of the artwork for this year's poster, designed by two of Portland's favorite expatriates, Aaron Renier and Alec Longstreth. Aaron will be joining us at this year's Fest again, signing at the Top Shelf table, as well as participating in the weekend's events. Click on the image to see a larger version in the Forum. The posters will be available for sale at the Fest for $3, and shirts and pins will also be available featuring artwork from the piece.

We're still looking for volunteers to help us distribute posters and flyers up and down the West Coast. If you're willing to do some stapling for us in your home town and help us spread the word about this fantastic little comics show, or if you want to help at the Fest itself, send a note to the Volunteer coordinator!