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Marcon (convention)

{{Short description|American annual science fiction convention}}

{{distinguish|MarsCon (disambiguation){{!}}MarsCon}}

{{Primary sources|date=May 2009}}

{{Infobox Convention

| name = Marcon

| image =

| caption =

| status = Active

| genre = Fantasy, Science fiction

| venue =

| location = Columbus, Ohio

| country = United States

| first = 1966

| last =

| organizer =

| filing =

| attendance =

| website = {{URL|https://www.marcon.org/}}

}}

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.[http://marcon.org/wordpress/?page_id=2 About Marcon] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100814015227/http://marcon.org/wordpress/?page_id=2 |date=2010-08-14 }} Retrieved January 21, 2013 It is now operated by the Columbus-based Science Oriented Literature, Art, and Education Foundation, a non-profit educational corporation.[http://www.solae.org/index.htm SOLAE website] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101009121741/http://www.solae.org/index.htm |date=2010-10-09 }} The name was originally short for "March Convention," with the convention mascot the "March Hare," affectionately named "Marconi". After the date of the convention moved away from March, the name was re-designated as "Multiple Alternative Realities Convention".

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, {{convert|7000|sqft|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 science fiction convention in the state of Ohio.{{cite news | url=http://www.dispatch.com/live/content/life/stories/2010/05/26/sci-fi-convention-to-explore-horror.html?sid=101 | author=Grossberg, Michael | title=Sci-fi convention to explore horror | work=Columbus Dispatch | date=May 26, 2010 | accessdate=April 5, 2011}}

The organizing group, SOLAE, announced after the 2021 MARCon that the 57th MARCon in 2022 would be the last.[https://www.facebook.com/MARConOH/posts/5340031132688401 Statement on MARCon official Facebook page] However, following Marcon 57, a number of groups put together proposals to continue the convention, and in August 2022, SOLAE announced that Tony Gillian of Chillichote, Ohio, has revived the convention and will take over as the chairman for 2023.[https://www.facebook.com/MARConOH/photos/a.1180682928623263/5723295841028593/ Statement on MARCon official Facebook page, #2]

"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.[http://www.ovff.org/pegasus/songs/marcon-ballroom.html Marcon Ballroom page at ovff.org]

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History

=2020s=

==Marcon 59==

Marcon 59 has been announced for May 24–26, 2024, in Columbus, Ohio, with the tagline "join the 8-bit adventure."

==Marcon 2023==

May 26–28, 2023, Columbus, Ohio.

After Marcon 57 in 2022, new management has taken over working with SOLAE, the registered charity organization that owns Marcon. The convention returned to Memorial Day weekend, with dates May 26–28, 2023.[https://www.marcon.org Marcon web page]. Retrieved 23 Jan. 2023. Guests for Marcon 2023 were:

  • David Weber, Author Guest of Honor
  • Jordan Breeding, Content Creator Guest
  • Chaz Kemp, Artist Guest of Honor
  • Carolyn Kay

Other guests remain to be announced.

==Marcon 57==

May 6–8, 2022, Worthington, Ohio.

It was announced after MARCon 56 in 2021 that the 57th MARCon in 2022 would be the last. Guests of Honor for Marcon 2022 were:announced on the [https://www.facebook.com/groups/181050141046 Marcon Facebook group], March 16, 2022. Retrieved 21 March 2022.

==Marcon 56==

September 3–5, 2021, in Crowne Plaza Columbus North in Worthington, Ohio, with

  • Author Guest of Honor Carrie Vaughn
  • Artist Guest of Honor Sara Felix
  • Science Guest of Honor Wolfgang Rumpf
  • filk Guests of Honor The Blibbering Humdingers.{{Cite web|url=http://www.marcon.org|title=MARCON DATES: SEPTEMBER 3-5, 2021|website=www.marcon.org|language=en-US | archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20210927160408/http://marcon.org/, |archive-date= 2021-09-27|url-status=dead}}

=2010s=

==Marcon 55==

Marcon 55 had been scheduled for May 8–10, 2020, in Worthington, Ohio, but it was postponed and then cancelled mid-March 2020Kim Williams, Marcon 55 Chair, [https://web.archive.org/web/20200420110357/http://marcon.org/ Marcon 55] web page (archived version as of April 20, 2020). Retrieved 21 March 2022. by order of the Governor of Ohio, who cancelled all public gatherings due to the COVID-19 pandemic. It was then held as a virtual convention in May 2020, chaired by Kim Williams.

==Marcon 54==

May 10–12, 2019, Crowne Plaza Columbus North in Worthington, Ohio.[https://fancyclopedia.org/Marcon_54 Marcon 54], Fancyclopedia, 16 May 2020. Retrieved 21 March 2022.

==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{{Cite web|url=http://www.marcon.org|title=Marcon – Multiple Alternative Realities Convention|website=www.marcon.org|language=en-US|access-date=2018-05-03 | archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20180508060738/http://marcon.org:80/, |archive-date= 2018-05-08|url-status=dead}}

==Marcon 52==

May 10–12, 2017, Hyatt Regency Columbus

Guests of Honor:

  • Jacqueline Carey,
  • Kristen Simmons,
  • Charles Urbach,
  • Talis Kimberley,
  • Alexa Heart,
  • Phil and Kaja Foglio,
  • Jason Hardy,
  • Jason Marsden

==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==

May 8–10, 2015, Hyatt Regency, Columbus, Ohio

For Marcon 50 there was no official Guest of Honor. Instead, many past GoHs returned for the 50th anniversary. The con also hosted the Libertarian Futurist Prometheus Award ceremony."[https://locusmag.com/2015/04/ellison-wins-prometheus-hall-of-fame-award/ "Ellison Wins Prometheus Hall of Fame Award]", Locus Magazine, April 21, 2015. Retrieved 21 March 2022.

==Marcon 49==

May 9–11, 2014, Hyatt Regency in Columbus OH. The theme was "Technical Difficulties".

Guests of Honor:

  • Author Guest of Honor: Glen Cook
  • Music Guests of Honor: Heather Dale and Ben Deschamps
  • Filk/Kids Science Guest: Tim Griffin

Marcon 49 also featured a 1632 series "Minicon", with Author Guest of Honor Eric Flint.

==Marcon 48==

March 29–31, 2013, Hyatt Regency Columbus.{{cite web |url=http://www.marcon.org/ |publisher=Marcon |title=Marcon Official website |accessdate=March 31, 2013|url-status=dead | archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20130317042151/http://marcon.org/wordpress/| archive-date= 2013-03-17

}}

==Marcon 47==

April 6–8, 2012{{cite web |url=http://www.marcon.org/ |publisher=Marcon |title=Marcon Official website |accessdate=August 24, 2010}}

  • 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

  • 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

  • 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

  • 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 [http://www.pup-stc.com]
  • Arnold Blumberg – Featured Guest

==Marcon 43==

May 23–25, 2008

==Marcon 42==

May 25–27, 2007

==Marcon 41==

May 26–28, 2006 – approximately 2100 attendees[http://www.marcon.org/maindetail.php?f=10 Is Marcon getting smaller?] Retrieved December 17, 2006 {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070927210027/http://www.marcon.org/maindetail.php?f=10 |date=September 27, 2007 }}

Guests:

==Marcon 40==

May 27–29, 2005 – approximately 2100 attendees

==Marcon 39==

May 28–30, 2004 – approximately 2000 attendees

==Marcon 38==

May 23–25, 2003 – approximately 1800 attendees

==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

==Marcon 35==

May 26–28, 2000, Hyatt Regency Hotel and Columbus Convention Center, Columbus, Ohio – Approximately 2400 attendees

Guest of Honor:

=1990s=

==Marcon 34==

Hyatt Regency, Columbus, Ohio,

May 7–9, 1999{{cite web | url=https://www.locusmag.com/1999/Future/Cons1999a.html | title=Locus Online: Archived Convention Listings 1999 page 1 }} – Approximately 2800 attendees

  • David Drake – Guest of Honor
  • Erin McKee – Artist Guest of Honor
  • Steve Saffel – Editor Guest of Honor
  • Syntax – Filk Guest of Honor

==Marcon 33==

1998 – Approximately 2200 attendees

==Marcon 32==

May 9–11, 1997 – approximately 2800 attendees

==Marcon 31==

May 3–5, 1996, Hyatt Regency, Columbus

==Marcon 30==

May 5–7, 1995. Theme was "Dreams and Memories".

==Marcon 29==

1994

==Marcon 28==

1993

==Marcon 27==

May 22–25, 1992

==Marcon 26==

1991

==Marcon XXV==

1990

=1980s=

==Marcon XXIV==

1989 – 1244 attendees

==Marcon XXIII==

1988 – 1050 attendees

==Marcon XXII==

1987 – 960 attendees

==Marcon XXI==

1986 – 1056 attendees

==Marcon XX==

1985 – 723 attendees

==Marcon XIX==

1984 – 592 attendees

==Marcon XVIII==

1983 – 440 attendees

==Marcon XVII==

1982 – 379 attendees

==Marcon XVI==

1981 – 426 attendees

==Marcon XV==

1980 – 383 attendees

=1970s=

==Marcon XIV==

1979 – 372 attendees

==Marcon XIII==

1978 – 264 attendees

==Marcon XII==

1977 – 222 attendees

==Marcon XI==

1976 – 212 attendees

==Marcon X==

1975 – Approximately 185 attendees

==Marcon IX==

1974 – Approximately 170 attendees

==Marcon VIII==

1973 – Approximately 100 attendees

==Marcon VII==

1972 – Approximately 150 attendees

==Marcon VI==

1971 – Approximately 120 attendees

==Marcon V==

1970 – Approximately 105 attendees

=1960s=

==Marcon IV==

1969 – Approximately 100 attendees

==Marcon III==

1968 (First time in Columbus) – Approximately 85 attendees

==Marcon II==

1967 (Toledo) – Approximately 60 attendees

==Marcon I==

1966 (Toledo) – Approximately 20 attendees

References

{{reflist}}

External links

  • [https://www.marcon.org/ Marcon official website]
  • [https://fancyclopedia.org/Marcon Marcon Page at fancyclopedia]

Category:Science fiction conventions in the United States

Category:Science fiction organizations