MarsCon
'99
February 26-28, 1999
Celebrating
60 years of SF fandom
MEDIA
GOH:
Carl David of Star Trek: The Next Generation
AUTHOR/GAMING
GOHs:
Jeff Grubb and Kate Novak
MarsCon '99 was our inaugural convention. Putting it together was fabulous, frustrating (sometimes), frantic, fatiguing, first-rate, foolhardy, fortitudinous, and just flat-out fun! We're very thankful to all the individuals and fan groups who participated in MarsCon '99; we quite literally would not have had a convention without all of their hard work.
Here's the Programming grid from MarsCon '99 in case you want to see what kind of programming we offered our first year.
MarsCon
at Midnight
by
Christine LaBounty
A close-knit group huddles together on comfy chairs outside the Drum Jam, straining to hear the pulsing tattoo emanating from behind closed doors. Inside, gypsy-costumed fans smilingly entice a shy guest of honor to dance to music more natural than the ABBA which ended just moments before. The beat works its magic, and the non-dancing observers sway as they yell conversationally to each other.
Across the hall, raucous laughter and groaning may be heard as a crowd listens with dismay to another "cow" pun. The film room is empty save two avid viewers who could not leave without seeing an end to the anime movie which has held them captive for nearly two hours. In the second-floor corner, the Operations crew entertains a couple of volunteers who, despite conventional wisdom, have wandered into the room. The on-duty crew member, headset at the ready, chuckles as the volunteers embark upon a tug-of-war with a green, squishy alien toy as the rope. After the game, the volunteers saunter out to the hall and commence the long journey to the South Tower parties.
As the elevator doors slide open, one volunteer is met with the sight of a couch some naughty football player left there as a prank. The second volunteer winks, hops aboard, and presses "4."
Signs litter
the wall of the 4th floor, advertising parties, emergency information,
and upcoming events. The entrance table contains a few remnants of Friday’s
Magic game—cups, candy wrappers, and three cards. Beyond the
much-appreciated ice machine, the hall is packed with an odd assortment of
aliens, Renaissance damsels, movie characters and other fans. The noise of
conversations nearly drowns out infrequent screams coming from the CONvergence
party room as people "die" to enter. Meanwhile, in another party
room, Logan 5 and Jessica 7 excitedly chat with a Star Fleet Captain over
some aged spoo. Fans inside the Martian Luau (consuite) exchange jokes as
they display to one another the treasures they unearthed at the Dealers Room
earlier in the day. At Blue Mars, a quieter crowd marvels at the almighty
blue screen and plots the course of the next day, anticipating closing ceremonies
and the end of a successful first year.
