Get Pop-Cultured

Barnes & Noble plans monthlong celebration of books, graphic novels, movies, TV shows, music, toys, games, collectibles.

photo Barnes & Noble's monthlong Get Pop-Cultured promotion includes Batman Day on Wednesday. The tribute to the Caped Crusader features costume contests and giveaways of merchandise celebrating the 75th anniversary of the iconic figure.

A series of events starting Friday, July 18, at Barnes & Noble at Hamilton Place will help area residents Get Pop-Cultured.

The monthlong promotion, with a different theme each week, highlights the huge influence that books, graphic novels, movies, TV shows, music, toys, games and collectibles have on popular culture. Highlights include Batman Day, James Patterson Day, a DC Comics Spectacular and a Frozen Friday Sing-along.

Activities will take place at every location of the nation's largest retail bookseller. See the complete schedule of events at www.bn.com/GetPop-Cultured.

¦ July 18-20 - Preview weekend: Friday through Sunday, the Hamilton Place store will have limited quantities of free, never-before-seen chapter samplers from upcoming releases, posters and digital downloads. Customers can enter for a chance to win prizes highlighting the summer's hottest authors, illustrators, books and DVDs.

IF YOU GO¦ What: Get Pop-Cultured.¦ When: July 18-Aug. 10.¦ Where: Barnes & Noble, 2100 Hamilton Place Blvd.¦ Admission: Free.¦ Phone: 423-893-0186.¦ Website: www.bn.com/GetPop-Cultured.

¦ July 19 - Costume contest: On Saturday, customers of all ages are asked to come dressed as their favorite characters. Costume-wearing customers can post their pictures on social media using the hashtags #GetPopCultured and #Contest for a chance to win prizes. Upon entering the store, those in costume will receive coupons for a $1 discount on a beverage in the Barnes & Noble Café.

¦ July 23 - Batman Day: Since his 1939 debut in Detective Comics No. 27, Batman has become a cultural icon. Wednesday's celebration of the Caped Crusader's influence kicks off the five-day DC Comics Spectacular. Events include an exclusive comic book giveaway (limited supplies) of a special-edition 75th anniversary collector's issue featuring the original Batman story (issue No. 27) and Brad Meltzer's reimagined story of Batman's origins (No. 27 New 52 series); giveaways of bags, bookmarks and buttons and the chance to win a Mini Bat Signal. Batman will be on hand to judge costume contests, starting at 6 p.m., with two age ranges (12 and younger, 13 and older).

¦ July 23-27 - DC Comics Spectacular: This five-day promotion, Wednesday through Sunday, offers activities, giveaways and a limited-time offer on DC Comics graphic novels. In addition to Batman, the pantheon of popular characters in the DC universe includes Superman, Wonder Woman, Green Lantern, The Flash, Aquaman, Hawkman, The Green Arrow, Justice League, The Watchmen and Teen Titans.

¦ July 24-27 - Comic Convention Collectibles: Thursday through Sunday, customers can purchase never-before-seen exclusive collectibles from Funko, creator of Pop!, the Legacy Collection and ReAction figure lines. Twenty-five customers per store will receive a free Funko Pop! TV collector poster with the purchase of any regularly priced Pop! collectible.

¦ Aug. 1 ­- Frozen Friday: Cool Off with Olaf: B&N Kids will be transformed into a winter wonderland to celebrate Disney's "Frozen." Starting at 7 p.m., Elsa, the queen of Arendelle, will be in store for photos, storytime, crafts and treats. Olaf, the summer-loving snowman, will lead a sing-along of his "In Summer" song. Kids can take part in activities such as building a sand castle and making a snow cloud and snowflakes so Olaf can go to the beach. The weekend is also a book fair fundraiser for Read 20 Chattanooga.

¦ Aug. 2 - Marvel Day: Marvel superheroes and villains will be appearing throughout the day. Costume contests start at 2 p.m. for ages 12 and younger and at 6 p.m. for ages 13 and older. Customers will have a chance to win Marvel merchandise, including tote bags and 75th anniversary posters. Product offerings include the new title "Guardians of the Galaxy."

¦ Aug. 3 -James Patterson Day: Special activities, giveaways and a one-day, in-store offer on book and audio purchases celebrate the best-selling author, the first to achieve 10 million eBook sales and holder of a Guinness World Record for the most No. 1 New York Times best-sellers.

¦ Aug. 6 - Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Junior Ninja Training Academy: To mark the release of Michael Bay's "Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles" movie, the Hamilton Place store will host a TMNT Junior Ninja Training Academy at 6 p.m. Children ages 4-12 can take part in activities and crafts, be trained as ninjas and receive an official certificate of participation.

¦ Aug. 9-10 - Page & Screen Weekend: The Get Pop-Cultured campaign concludes with a celebration of the relationship between books, eBooks, movies and TV shows. Franchises that have appeared on page and screen include "The Hobbit," "Doctor Who," "The Fault in Our Stars," "The Maze Runner," "Game of Thrones" and "The Walking Dead."

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