Marcon (convention)
Marcon is a full-spectrum fantasy and science fiction convention based in Columbus, Ohio, and was on Easter weekend in 2013 but moved to Mother's Day weekend starting in 2014.[1] It is now operated by the Columbus-based Science Oriented Literature, Art, and Education Foundation, a non-profit educational corporation.[2] The name is derived from "Multiple Alternative Realities Convention".
Marcon | |
---|---|
Status | Active |
Genre | Fantasy, Science fiction |
Location(s) | Columbus, Ohio |
Country | United States |
Inaugurated | 1966 |
Website | http://www.marcon.org/ |
Marcon offers a dozen tracks of programming in art, costuming, fan, filk, literary, media, and science, as well as events and displays including a masquerade, art show, dealers room, multiple 24-hour video tracks, 7,000 square feet (650 m2) of gaming space, and at least one dance. Marcon runs a children's track of programming that has included independent filmmakers helping the kids create their own movies (The Curse of Monster X, Return of the Red Shirts) and many hands-on art, costuming, and science programs. It is the oldest and largest sci-fi convention in the state of Ohio.[3]
"Marcon Ballroom", a filk song by Anne Passovoy about an incident with hotel management failing to adjust to the needs of fandom, was awarded a Pegasus Award as "Best Classic Filk Song" in 2005.[4]
History
2010s
Marcon 53
May 11–13, 2018, Hyatt Regency Columbus
- Legendary Artist Guest of Honor: Larry Elmore
- Legendary Filk Guest of Honor: Juanita Coulson
- Fan Guest of Honor: Todd Cameron Hamilton
- Author Guest of Honor: F. Paul Wilson
- Young Adult Author Guest of Honor: Cinda Williams Chima
- Media Guest of Honor: Gary Graham
- Music Guest of Honor: Dandelion Wine
- Artist Guest of Honor: David Lee Pancake
- Cosplay Guest of Honor: Alexa Heart
- Cosplay Guest of Honor: Mogchelle Cosplay
- Guest of Honor: Charles Xavier Conley
- Miniatures Guest of Honor: Shoshie Bauer
- Featured Author: Walter Jon Williams
- Featured Author: Eric Flint
- Featured Author: Walter Hunt
- Featured Artist: Andy Hopp
- Featured Cosplayer: Nerd Girl Cosplay
- Featured Cosplayer: Brit Bliss[5]
Marcon 52
May 10–12, 2017, Hyatt Regency Columbus
Marcon 51
May 6–8, 2016, Hyatt Regency Columbus
- Seanan McGuire - Author Guest of Honor
- Mogchelle Cosplay - Cosplay Guest of Honor
- S. J. Tucker - Music Guest of Honor
Marcon 50
Marcon 49
Marcon 48
March 29–31, 2013, Hyatt Regency Columbus .[6]
- Joe Haldeman – Author Guest of Honor
- Heather Kreiter – Artist Guest of Honor
- Gay Haldeman – Fan Guest of Honor
- Jeff Dee – Gaming Guest of Honor
- Toyboat – Filk Guest of Honor
- Brian Keene – Special Guest
- F. Paul Wilson – Special Guest
Marcon 47
April 6–8, 2012[7]
- Tamora Pierce – Author Guest of Honor
- Sarah Clemens – Artist Guest of Honor
- Paula Guran – Editor Guest of Honor
- Dr. Bradley Lepper – Science Guest of Honor
- Erica Neely – Filk Guest of Honor
- Manu Intiraymi – Media Guest of Honor
Marcon 46
May 27–29, 2011[7]
- F. Paul Wilson – Author Guest of Honor
- Eric Flint – Author Guest of Honor
- Harry Turtledove – Theme Guest of Honor
- John Palencar – Artist Guest of Honor
- Leslie Fish – Filk Guest of Honor
- Brent Keith – Gaming Guest of Honor
- The Extraordinary Contraptions – Special SteamPunk Music Guest
- Marc G. Millis – Special Science Guest
Marcon 45
May 28–30, 2010[7]
- Wen Spencer – Author Guest of Honor
- Billy Tackett – Artist Guest of Honor
- Seanan McGuire – Filk Guest of Honor
- Central Ohio Paranormal Society – Special Theme Guest
- Twilight Creations – Gaming Guest of Honor
- Richard Hatch – Media Guest of Honor
- Casey Daniels, Shane Moore, Donnie Dunagan – Special Guests
2000s
Marcon 44
May 22–24, 2009[7]
- Simon R. Green – Author Guest of Honor
- Jordin Kare – Science Guest of Honor
- Patricia McCracken – Artist Guest of Honor
- Chris Conway – Filk Guest of Honor
- David H. Lawrence XVII – Media Guest of Honor
- Samuel Travis Clemmons – Full Spectrum Featured Guest
- Arnold Blumberg – Featured Guest
Marcon 43
May 23–25, 2008[7]
- Alexander James Adams – Filk Guest of Honor
- Steven Brust – Toastmaster
- Rebecca Forstadt – Anime Guest of Honor
- Kevin Standlee – Fan Guest of Honor
- Sister Sola/Casandra – Costuming Guest of Honor
- Ray van Tilburg – Artist Guest of Honor
- Toni Weisskopf – Editor Guest of Honor
- Hank Reinhardt – Science Guest of Honor: Mr. Reinhardt died before the convention. The con-com decided to honor him by keeping him as the Science Guest of Honor.
- Robert Asprin – Author Guest of Honor: Mr. Asprin died the day before the convention.
- Jody Lynn Nye – Author Guest of Honor: Due to Mr. Asprin's death Ms. Nye was unable to attend.
- Wizards of the Coast – Gaming Guest of Honor
- Marc Singer – Media Guest of Honor
- Leah Cairns – Media Guest of Honor
Marcon 42
May 25–27, 2007
- Keith R.A. DeCandido – Author Guest of Honor
- Laura Reynolds – Artist Guest of Honor (Prism Studios' griffons & such)
- Timothy Zahn – Toastmaster
- Kevin Sorbo – Media Guest of Honor
- Nancy Janda – Fan Guest of Honor
- Three Weird Sisters – Filk Guests of Honor
- Pierre and Sandy Pettinger – Costuming Guests of Honor
- Looney Labs – Gaming Guests of Honor
Marcon 41
May 26–28, 2006 – approximately 2100 attendees[8]
Guests:
- Author Guest: George R. R. Martin
- Artist Guest: Jody Lee
- Editor Guest: David G. Hartwell
- Media Guest: Eugene Roddenberry Jr.
- Costuming Guest: Chris Kramer
- Fan Guest: B. J. Mitias
- Filk Guest: Dave & Judith Hayman
- Steve Lee
- Gaming Guest: Pieramyd Productions, Ltd.
- Electronic Gaming Guest: EB Games
- Toastmaster: Bill Roper
Marcon 40
May 27–29, 2005 approximately 2100 attendees
- Tom Smith – Filk Guest of Honor
- Barry and Sally Childs-Helton – Featured Filker
- Richard Hatch - Media Guest of Honor
Marcon 39
May 28–30, 2004 – approximately 2000 attendees
- Laurell K. Hamilton – Author Guest of Honor
- Cecilia Tan – Adult Fiction Guest of Honor
- Julie Zetterberg – Costuming Guest of Honor
- Cynthia McQuillin and Dr. Jane Robinson – Filk Guests of Honor
Marcon 38
May 23–25, 2003 – approximately 1800 attendees
- J. Gregory Keyes – Author Guest of Honor
- Richard Biggs – Media Guest of Honor
- Eugene Roddenberry Jr. – Media Guest of Honor
- Kenny Baker – Media Guest of Honor
- Bill and Brenda Sutton – Filk Guests of Honor
- Judith and Dave Hayman – Featured Filkers
Marcon 37
May 24–26, 2002 – approximately 2000 attendees
- Catherine Asaro – Science Guest of Honor
- Zander Nyrond – Filk Guest of Honor
Marcon 36
May 25–27, 2001 – approximately 3600 attendees
- Hosted 2001 Prometheus Award presentations and LFSCon
- Bob and Ann Passavoy – Filk Guests of Honor
- Karen Anderson – Featured Filker
Marcon 35
2000 – Approximately 2400 attendees
- Steve MacDonald – Filk Guest of Honor
1990s
Marcon 34
1999 – Approximately 2800 attendees
- Syntax – Filk Guest of Honor
Marcon 32
May 9–11, 1997 – approximately 2800 attendees
- Harry Turtledove – Author Guest of Honor
- Juanita Coulson – Filk Guest of Honor
Marcon 31
1996
- Joey Shoji – Filk Guest of Honor
Marcon 30
1995
- Kathy Mar – Filk Guest of Honor
- Many of the cast of Babylon 5 and J. Michael Straczynski
Marcon 29
1994
- Philip Jose Farmer – Science Fiction Guest of Honor
- Barbara Hambly – Fantasy Guest of Honor
- Boris Vallejo – Artist Guest of Honor
- Forry J Ackerman – Media Guest of Honor
- Dr. Jane Robinson – Filk Guest of Honor
- David Ivey – Costuming Guest of Honor
- Barry B. Longyear – Toastmaster
Marcon 28
1993
- Michael Longcor – Filk Guest of Honor
- Tom Smith – Toastmaster
- Denny O'Neil – Comic Book Guest of Honor
- Mike Resnick – Author Guest of Honor
- Julius Schwartz – Super Guest of Honor
- Ray Van Tiberg – Artist Guest of Honor
- Animal X – Special Contuming Guest
- Jane Yolen – Author Guest of Honor
Marcon 27
May 22–25, 1992
- Roger Zelazny – Author Guest of Honor
- Orson Scott Card – Author Guest of Honor
- Bill and Brenda Sutton – Toastmasters
- Lois McMaster Bujold – Special Featured Guest of Honor
- Randy Asplund-Faith – Artist Guest of Honor
- Sue & Steve Francis – Fan Guests of Honor
- Richard Tucholka – Gaming Guest of Honor
Marcon 26
1991
- C. J. Cherryh – Author Guest of Honor
- Juanita Coulson – Filk Guest of Honor
- Lois McMaster Bujold – Author Guest of Honor
- Rowena Morrill – Artist Guest of Honor
- "Moonwulf" Michael Longcor – Toastmaster
- Richard Spelman – Fan Guest of Honor
Marcon XXV
1990
- George R. R. Martin – Author Guest of Honor
- Melinda Snodgrass – Author Guest of Honor
- Gahan Wilson – Artist Guest of Honor
- Murray Porath – Filk Guest of Honor
- Chris Claremont – Special Comic Book Guest of Honor
- Edward Bryant – Featured Guest
- John J. Miller – Featured Guest
- Stephen Leigh – Featured Guest
- Walter Jon Williams – Featured Guest
- Howard Waldrop – Featured Guest
- Walton Simons – Featured Guest
- Lois McMaster Bujold – Featured Guest
1980s
Marcon XXIV
1989 – 1244 attendees
- Hal Clement – Guest of Honor
- Todd Cameron Hamilton – Artist Guest of Honor
- Barry and Sally Childs-Helton – Filking Guests of Honor
- Steve Jackson – Gaming Guest of Honor
Marcon XXIII
1988 – 1050 attendees
- David Brin – Guest of Honor
- Michael Whelan – Artist Guest of Honor
- Bill Sutton – Toastmaster
- Kevin Siembieda – Gaming Guest of Honor
Marcon XXII
1987 – 960 attendees
- Michael P. Kube-McDowell – Guest of Honor
- David Mattingly – Artist Guest of Honor
- Juanita Coulson – Toastmaster
- Kevin Siembieda – Gaming Guest of Honor
- Tom Savini – Media Guest of Honor
- Bill Roper – Fan Guest of Honor
Marcon XXI
1986 – 1056 attendees
- Roger Zelazny – Guest of Honor
- Kelly Freas – Artist Guest of Honor
- Andrew J. Offutt – Toastmaster
- Bill Maraschiello – Con Musician
Marcon XX
1985 – 723 attendees
- Larry Niven – Guest of Honor
- Carl Lundgren -Artist Guest of Honor
- Bill Maraschiello – Con Musician
Marcon XIX
1984 – 592 attendees
- C. J. Cherryh – Guest of Honor
- Todd Cameron Hamilton – Artist Guest of Honor
Marcon XVII
1982 – 379 attendees
- Hal Clement – Guest of Honor
- Juanita Coulson – Toastmaster
- Buck Coulson – Fan Guest of Honor
Marcon XV
1980 – 383 attendees
- L. Sprague de Camp – Guest of Honor
- Catherine Crook de Camp – Toastmaster
1970s
Marcon IX
1974 – Approximately 170 attendees
- Hal Clement – Guest of Honor
- Andrew J. Offutt – Toastmaster
1960s
Marcon III
1968 (First time in Columbus) – Approximately 85 attendees
- Frederik Pohl – Guest of Honor
Marcon II
1967 (Toledo) – Approximately 60 attendees
References
- About Marcon Archived 2010-08-14 at the Wayback Machine Retrieved January 21, 2013
- SOLAE website Archived 2010-10-09 at the Wayback Machine
- Grossberg, Michael (May 26, 2010). "Sci-fi convention to explore horror". Columbus Dispatch. Retrieved April 5, 2011.
- Marcon Ballroom page at ovff.org
- "Marcon – Multiple Alternative Realities Convention". www.marcon.org. Retrieved 2018-05-03.
- "Official website". Marcon. Retrieved March 31, 2013.
- "Official website". Marcon. Retrieved August 24, 2010.
- Is Marcon getting smaller? Retrieved December 17, 2006 Archived September 27, 2007, at the Wayback Machine