I Need A Vacation!
Posted on Thursday, May 25 @ 10:04:27 CDT
Topic: Conventions
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 When warm weather hits, that is usually the first thing said. However,
with gas prices competing for the National Debt, where can you go and
get the biggest bang for your buck? And, what about taking time out
from work? Or, what can you do that is different? The word "vacation"
usually conjures up images of a favorite camping spot, a city, a beach
or the mountains. And Traffic -- lots and lots of traffic!
If you bring up the same topic in a group of science fiction/fantasy
fans you'll get an entirely different response. They will mention a
specific city and a convention with a strange name ending in the
syllable "con". These fans are fanatic about their favorites -- whether
it be a favorite author, a book, a movie or a minor character in the
tenth episode of some obscure B movie. They also feel the same way
about their favorite convention.
Most of these conventions take place over a non-holiday weekend
(Holidays usually involve a 4-day span starting with a Thursday or
Friday) in a city with a familiar name (i.e., Tampa Florida, Baltimore
Maryland, Richmond Virginia, Atlanta, Georgia). Hotel rates are kept
low because the fan committee can guarantee occupancy in a large block
of rooms, keeping both their fans and the hotel happy. Events are
generally planned around the clock to keep the coffee pots going and
the fans bleary-eyed. Many conventions incude activities for the
younger set.
What are these events, you may ask? Depending on the size of the con
(small conventions may only boast a few panels), it can range from a
group of authors discussing their current project to a media blitz
featuring well-known actors to workshops, weapons demonstrations and
the inevitable costume contest. There are art displays and auctions (art,
charity and slave). Some fans attend these conventions
to get an autograph from their favorite author, while others go to
display the intricate costume they've spent the past year perfecting. A
large number of costumes are replicas of some favorite character in a
science fiction, fantasy or horror movie. Some are medevial
representations whiile others are just pure fantasy. And all for fun.
Now for the obvious question -- where? The following list is a small
representation of nearby conventions. If travel is not a problem, there
are lists of conventions through a variety of fandom web sites. Once
you start looking you'll find links to a vast array of others.
June 2006
July 2006
August 2006
September 2005
For extensive convention lists, check out:
Southern Fandom Resource Guide
SF Lovers Conventions Listing
Locus Online Science Fiction Conventions
Northeast Science Fiction Conventions
Ansible International Convention List
World Science Fiction Society
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