MarsCon
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There are two science fiction conventions known as MarsCon: one in Williamsburg, Virginia and one in Bloomington, Minnesota. They are not affiliated with one another. The one in Virginia is the older of the two, having been founded in 1990.
[edit] MarsCon in Williamsburg, Virginia
MarsCon in Williamsburg, Virginia is mid-sized regional science fiction convention. The convention provides a relaxed environment for people who enjoy science fiction to meet new friends and talk about their interests. The history of MarsCon begins with an earlier convention known as Sci-Con, a well established, general science fiction convention in Virginia Beach, Virginia. In 1990 the people who worked every year to bring Sci-Con together held a low key relaxicon or "relaxing convention" for its members. After the first year, this new convention was re-christened MarsCon in honor of a long-standing fake Worldcon bid for Mars in 2095. Although the original convention has since faded away, MarsCon shows no sign of ending anytime soon.
With a focus on relaxation and camaraderie, MarsCon hosts the usual convention activities including:
- Panel discussions and Workshop activities
- Gaming ( including Role-playing games, and card games)
- Video room with Anime
- Dealers room
- Art show
[edit] MarsCon in Bloomington, Minnesota
MarsCon in Bloomington, Minnesota was first held in February 1999 with the goal of appealing to a diverse audience of fans in Minnesota and the vicinity. It is a mid-sized convention with a wide variety of events including panel discussions, guest of honor presentations, music of many kinds, art show, film room (including anime), science room, dealers room, charity auction, and a masquerade. Past guests have included actors, authors, artists, scientists, musicians, producers, and even the occasional pooka.
Since 2003, MarsCon Minnesota has also included a strong presence of the "Dementia" (comedy/novelty/filk) music genre, making the convention one of the largest events in the country to showcase such music.
MarsCon 1999: Celebrating 60 Years of Fandom
Where: Radisson South Hotel
When: February 26-28, 1999
Guests of Honor: Carl David, Jeff Grubb, Kate Novak
MarsCon 2000: Don’t Panic! (Alternate Subversive Theme: M’00)
Where: Radisson South Hotel
When: May 12-14, 2000
Guests of Honor: Mark Allen Shepherd, Lisa Getto, Margaret Weis, Don Perrin, Denise Boie, Jack Borkowski, Donald R. Schmitt, Chestley Bonestill (Posthumous)
MarsCon 2001: A Space Oddity
Where: Radisson South Hotel
When: May 11-13, 2001
Guests of Honor: Jane Yolen, Bill Blair, Carl Talliaferro, Christopher Jones, Michael Liebmann, David Arneson, Stanley Kubrick (Posthumous)
MarsCon 2002: The Magic of Fantasy
Where: Airport Hilton
When: March 1-3, 2002
Guests of Honor: Lyda Morehouse, Peter Woodward, John Levene, Robin Wood, Harvey (See Harvey (play))
MarsCon 2003: No One Here is Exactly What He Appears
Where: Holiday Inn Select
When: February 28-March 2, 2003
Guests of Honor: Sharon Lee, Steve Miller (writer), Julie Caitlin Brown, Lev Mailer, John Garner (artist), David Mendez, Douglas Adams (Posthumous)
MarsCon 2004: Let’s Play Doctor!
Where: Airport Hilton
When: March 5-7, 2004
Guests of Honor: John M. Ford, Richard Biggs, Barry Hansen “Dr. Demento”, Dawn Devine Brown “Davina (costumer)”, Luke Sienkowski “The Great Luke Ski”, David E Romm
MarsCon 2005: Galactic Pirates and Mercenaries
Where: Airport Marriott
When: March 4-6, 2005
Guests of Honor: Richard Herd, Jeremy Bulloch, Stephanie Gannaway-Osborn, Timothy Zahn, Todd Coss, The Great Luke Ski, Ron Ross, Herbert Jefferson, Jr.
MarsCon 2006: Things That Go Bump in the Night
Where: Holiday Inn Select
When: March 3-5, 2006
Guests of Honor: Gigi Edgley, Dean Haglund, Beth Hansen, Walter H. Hunt, Paul Lawrence (producer), Tom Smith (filker), Hugh Gregory
MarsCon 2007
Where: Holiday Inn Select
When: March 2-4, 2007
Guests of Honor: Don S. Davis, Patricia Tallman, Todd Lockwood, Eric Larson, Eleanor Arnason, Ookla the Mok
MarsCon 2008: Press Start To Continue
Where: Holiday Inn Select
When: February 29-March 2, 2008
Guests of Honor: Eric Avari, Naomi Kritzer, Hot Waffles, More to be announced
