The second weekend in June is devoted to the legendary character that stands for "Truth, Justice and the American Way" each year in Metropolis, Illinois.  But Superman is always kind enough to share the spotlight with a few others`as well!

Special guests have been confirmed as headliners of the 31^st annual Superman Celebration June 11-14.  Smallville fans will be excited to see this year's celebrity line-up.

Justin Hartley, who portrays The Green Arrow, and Phil Morris, also known as The Martian Manhunter, will be the Smallville actors headlining this year's Celebration.  And, the "First Lady of Metropolis" Noel Neill, is scheduled to make a return trip to the festival.  Superman child-actress, Beverly Washburn, will be making her first appearance in Metropolis.  Fans will have the opportunity to meet the celebrities in person at autograph sessions. 

Justin Hartley is best known for his role as billionaire Oliver Queen (a.k.a. the Green Arrow) on the CW hit-show Smallville.   Hartley portrays a gifted archer who gives up the opportunity to be on the U.S. Olympic Team in favor of life as a modern-day Robin Hood.

No stranger to playing iconic comic book characters, Hartley nabbed the highly coveted role of DC Comics' Aquaman in the 2006 CW TV series pilot that also starred Ving Rhames.  Hartley has also recently completed the independent thriller Red Canyon, and a Web Series opposite Rosario Dawson. He is also known for his role on NSB's daytime drama Passions.

Phil Morris  currently stars as the legendary D.C. Comics character, The Martian Manhunter, on Smallville.    As a voice actor, he portrayed the villains Imperiex on Legion of Superheroes, and the Immortal Caveman Vander Adg on Justice League and Justice League Unlimited.  He also starred in the Disney animated feature Atlantis: The Lost Empire as the voice of Dr. Sweet.   

Morris' first acting role was as a child when he appeared in a 1966 Star Trek episode.  He made his feature film debut in Star Trek III: The Search for Spock in a small role and later guest-starred on Star Trek: Deep Space Nine and Star Trek: Voyager.   Morris is also known for his protrayals of Tyrone Jackson on the The Young and the Restless, and Jackie Chiles, the Jonnie Cochran-esque attorney in an episode of Seinfeld.   

Though she first played Lois Lane in the 1948 movie serial, Superman, with Kirk Alyn, Noel Neill is actually best known for playing the iconic character on television in The Adventures of Superman with beloved legendary actor George Reeves from 1953 to 1957.  So identified is she with this role that her portrayal of the "girl reporter" set the standard for all Lois Lanes yet to come. 

Noel will host a memorable tribute to George Reeves on Friday evening, June 12.  Metropolis has become such a fan of Neill that the Chamber of Commerce will erect a statue of her likeness within the next year.  Engraved bricks are currently being sold for the base that will hold the life-size sculpture of the actress.  Bricks can be purchased at the Metropolis Area Chamber of Commerce at 607 Market St.  

 

As a child, Bevery Washburn appeared in the 1951 theatrical movie, Superman and The Mole Men, which was subsequently edited into two half-hour segments. These became the first two episodes of TV's Adventures of Superman starring George Reeves and Phyllis Coates.   George Reeves later played Washburn's father in the movie, Heart of Gold.  

Beverly Washburn will be available to greet fans from 10 a.m.-noon and 1-5 p.m. on Friday and Saturday, June 12-13 at the Artist Alley located in the heart of the festival on Market Street.  A special tribute to George Reeves will take place on Saturday evening, June 13 with Washburn introducing the uncut version of the movie "Superman and The Mole Men".

 

The Superman Celebration is a long standing festival and a must see event for most anyone, especially Superman or comic lovers.  Superman fans travel from all over the globe to visit the small southern Illinois town that is the Official Home of Superman. 

Metropolis features a 15-foot bronze statue of the Man of Steel and a Super Museum located on the town's Superman Square.  A life-size statue of Noel Neill will grace the landscape soon.  There are other interesting super-hero related attractions located throughout the city, such as a giant rock of kryptonite.

Complete with an Artist's Alley, Man of Steel exhibitions and contests, amusement park, live music and $1000 Superhero Costume Contest, the Superman Celebration provides fun for the entire family. 

For more information about the Celebration call the Metropolis Chamber of Commerce at 800-949-5740.   CLICK HERE to see short video from previous celebration!

 

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Tentative Schedule

Thursday, June 11
5pm - Opening Ceremony on Superman Square - Meet Superman!  Official Presentation of Guinness World Record - Most People Dressed as Superman - set during 2008 Celebration.
5pm - Carnival rides and games
5:30pm - Noel Neil Statue Ground Breaking, 8th and Market streets.
6pm - Lois Lane Award presentation, Helping Hands Award Presentation at Metro Tent
6:15pm - Cross Harmony & Kingsmen Gospel Concert in the Metro Tent
7pm - Superman Road Race at Fort Massac State Park
7:30pm - Kids Karaoke at Smallville Tent

Friday - June 12
7am - 1/2 of Tickets for Autograph Sessions available
          outside of the Chamber of Commerce, 607 Market St. 
          While supplies last.  Limit 2 tickets per person, limit one session per person.
All Day - See Clint Young's 1966 Batmobile
10am - Artist Alley Opens - Beverly Washburn will meet with fans from 10am-noon and 1-5pm. 
10am - Superman Fan Baseball Game:  Metropolis Marvels vs. Smallvielle Meteors at Metropolis Sports Park
11am - "What's It Worth?" live broadcast at Americana Hollywood with Mike Mallory of WPSD-TV
11am - Painting for Comics: The Art of Adam B. Shaw at Artist Alley
11:30am - Freestyle Connection BMX Bike Show at Man of Steel Area
Noon - Comic Writers Q & A Session with Gail Simone, John Ostrander and Josh Elder at Artist Alley
Noon - Super Silly Games at Smallville Tent
1pm - Superman Jeopardy at main tent
2pm - Writing Workshop with John Ostrander at Artist Alley
2pm - Video Game Tournament at 801 Market St.
3pm - Kids Superhero Costume Contest at Smallville Tent
3pm - Comic Writers Q & A Session at Metro Tent - open to all
4pm - The Red Mullet - comics to film panel at Artist Alley
4pm - Meet Superman and gather for Kids Superhero Costume Parade at Smallville Tent
5pm - Carnival rides and games
5pm - Mighty Kids & Dad, TV pilot premier at Artist Alley.
5:30pm - Freestyle Connection BMX Bike Show at Man of Steel Area
5:30pm - Omega Force Strength Team at Man of Steel Tent
7pm - U.S. Air Force Band of America, "Hot Brass" from Scott Air Force Base,
          performs at Metro Tent
7pm - Superhero Gameshow for kids at Smallville Tent
7pm - Tribute to Noel Neill - Career highlight film by Larry Ward. 
          Doors open at 6:30pm 
8pm - Recollections of George Reeves.  Noel's favorite episodes of The Adventures of Superman. 
          Noel Neill will host a memorable tribute to George Reeves
          and speak about her favorite episodes as they are shown.
9:30pm - World Premier of the Red Mullet Movie at Artist Alley, followed by Q & A

Saturday - June 13
7am - 1/2 of Tickets for Autograph Sessions available
          outside of the Chamber of Commerce, 607 Market St. 
          While supplies last.  Limit 2 tickets per person, limit one session per person.
8am - Kiwanis Superman Bike Ride - Fort Massac State Park
All Day - See Clint Young's 1966 Batmobile
All day - Carnival rides and games

Sunday - June 14
8am - Rotary Super Car Show at Fort Massac
10am - Artist Alley opens - closes at 4pm
10am-Noon - Sign in for Costume Contest
10:30am - Kids Superhero Gameshow at Smallville Tent
11am - Character Karaoke at Main Tent
11am - Guest Seminar at Artist Alley
Noon - $1000 Superhero Costume Contest at Metro Tent
1pm - Omega Force Exhibition at Man of Steel Tent
2pm -  U.S. Air Force Band of America, "Hot Brass" from Scott Air Force Base,
          performs at Metro Tent
2pm - Color a Giant Comic at Smallville Tent
3pm - Superman Scavenger Hunt at Smallville Tent

Schedule Subject to Change.
Visit www.supermancelebration.net for more information.