| Hal-Con Sci-Fi, Fantasy & Comic Convention | |
|---|---|
| Status | Active |
| Genre | Multigenre |
| Venue | World Trade and Convention Centre |
| Location | Halifax, Nova Scotia |
| Country | Canada |
| Organizer | HAL-CON Sci-Fi Fantasy Association |
| Filing status | Not-For-Profit |
| Attendance | Est. 4500 |
| Official website | http://www.hal-con.com |
Hal-Con Sci-Fi, Fantasy & Comic Convention, commonly known as Hal-Con, was founded in the 1970s and revived in the 2010s. It is traditionally an annual weekend event held in Halifax, Nova Scotia in Atlantic Canada and held at the end of fall.
Originally showcasing comic books, games, science fiction/fantasy and film/television, and related popular arts. It has grown to encompasses the full-spectrum of geekdom, including Comic Books, Science Fiction, Fantasy, Gaming, Cyberpunk, Steampunk, Renaissance, Anime, Furry, Cyber goth, Cosplay, and anything else of the fantastical while still having enough appeal for even the most casual fan. The gathering includes entertainment for most tastes from music, stage show, and small social gaming circles, and the chance to rub elbows with the famous and infamous of geek pop-culture.
Hal-Con 2011 is returning November 12–13, 2011 at World Trade and Convention Centre.
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Apart from the media guest Q&A’s, autographs and photo sessions, there are many other programming options and things to do during the convention...
Hal-Con is active in the HRM community. They hold mini-events throughout the year leading up to the conventions. As Hal-Con is a largely homegrown and unfunded event, the volunteers hold fund-raising events such as board game tournaments, video game days, trivia nights,and Laser Tag events at Alpha Strike. Hal-Con co-hosts the local comedy show Geeks Versus Nerds.
Hal-Con has, in association with Empire Theatres, been bringing "fan favourite" movies to back to the big screen, such as Star Trek 2: Wrath of Kahn,[6] Starship Troopers,[7] The Wizard (with help from the local Thrillema group) and the "Can't Stop the Serenity" event.[8]
Hal-Con, independently and with Let It Roll, Geeks Versus Nerds and Gelatinous Dudes, has participated in numerous charity fund-raising events with the funds going to local children groups, special needs camps, and Japan Disaster Relief. Each Hal-Con has a charity auction using merchandise donated by the guests, vendors and celebrities. At Hal-Con 2010 the charity was Child's Play (charity) and the final item showcased and auctioned off was a vintage Bird of Prey (Star Trek) model signed by both Walter Koenig and Denise Crosby.
In 2011, the charity auction, again for Child's Play (charity), comprised a number of corporate and personal donations. The amount raised was approximately $5500 CAD.
The mascot is Nelson, a small purple alien (from the planet Teebius) named Nee who lives in, and operates, a robot shaped like the Halifax Town Clock. Nee plus the LSON (Liveable Space Operating Node) Robot make up Nelson. The mascot is seen at promotional material and appears at every event, wearing appropriate attire.
Hal-Con has a long history in Halifax, and was running annually for many years in the 1970s and 1980s.
Here is a representative picture of Halcon from the 1980s. It shows Spider Robinson and two unknown female barbarians.
In 2010 Hal-Con underwent a revival. The new Hal-Con took the meaning of the old convention, the want to bring like minded people together for fun, but did it under entirely new management and with a modern convention practises. The official organizing committee is made up of volunteers who want nothing more than to make a successful festival in Atlantic Canada. In 2011, the Maritimes continued to show their support for the event, nearly doubling attendance at the new venue - which was more than twice as large.
| Events | Dates | Location | Attendees | Guests | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hal-Con 1 (2010) | October 29, 2010 - October 31, 2010 | Lord Nelson Hotel | Est. 3500 | Walter Koenig, Denise Crosby, Kevin Murphy, Bill Corbett, Coner McCreery, Drakaina Muse, Kenneth Tam, Ajay Fry, Teddy Wilson, Matthew LeDrew, Ellen Curtis, Sandra Staple, Nina Munteanu, David Rhind | The first convention was well attended, with more people than expected coming through the doors. The venue was a bit small for the event,[9] due to selling out, however most of the attendees and special guests were in high spirits. Actor and wrestler Robert Maillet was also in attendance during the convention. He spent the weekend signing autographs and posing for pictures with fans while enjoying the events at the convention. The charity auction raised $3000 for Child's Play Charity |
| Hal-Con 2 (2011) | November 12, 2011 - November 13, 2011 | World Trade and Convention Centre | Est. 4700 | Nicholas Brendon, Erin Gray, JG Hertzler, Robert Maillet, Steve Jackson (US game designer), Faith Erin Hicks, Coner McCreery, Anthony Del Col, Drakaina Muse, Kenneth Tam, Ajay Fry, Teddy Wilson, Matthew LeDrew, Ellen Curtis, Darren Hann, Chantal Boudreau, David Rhind,Fat Apollo | The venue expanded to nearly 30,000sqft and was two floors. Attendance more than doubled, despite the change to a 2-day format. The finalist in the Munchkin tournament will be playing their final match against Munchkin creator Steve Jackson (US game designer). The annual KAG Kanada Grand Assembly was hosted at Hal-Con. The charity auction for Child's Play raised over $5500 CAD. |
| Hal-Con 3 (2011) | October 26, 2012 - October 28, 2012 | World Trade and Convention Centre | Est. n/a | Rene Auberjonois, John Kovalic, Vic Mignogna, Gail Simone, Joel Duggan, Drakaina Muse, Matthew LeDrew, Ellen Curtis, Darren Hann, Fat Apollo | Gaming aspect of convention is largest in the Maritimes |
