Greetings!
We will be celebrating our ninth annual MarsCon at the Holiday Inn Select in Bloomington, Minnesota, very, very soon. March 2-4, 2007, to be precise. This dwarf con is starting to exhibit all the signs of becoming a full-fledged convention.
MarsCon is an annual science fiction & fantasy convention sponsored by FenSF, Inc., and run completely by volunteers. This year we are technically themeless, though we have played with many themes throughout the planning stages of this very special MarsCon. There will be dancing and singing, panel discussions of every sort, art that will take your breath away, cool stuff to buy, popcorn, anime and movies that will keep you on the edge of your seat, amazing science exhibits, new and long-time friends, challenging games...punch and pie.
Our Guests of Honor include:
For the latest news, read on and check out our web site for frequent updates as the convention approaches.
SAVE $10 OR MORE BY REGISTERING BEFORE JANUARY 31ST
The cut-off deadline is almost here. Registration rates go up after January 31st, so if you prefer the cheaper rates, please send in your forms now or register through our web site (http://marscon.org/2007/register/index.php) today. The web registration switches over at midnight.
Current Weekend Rates (through 1/31/07)
At-the-Door Rates (after 1/31/07)
Group Registration: Have a few friends planning to register with you? Groups of 10+ can take $5 off each registration if they register as a group. The registrations must be submitted together and payment must accompany the registration forms. This cannot be combined with other discounts.
Supporting Memberships: Still not sure if MarsCon will fit into your schedule, but want to lock in a lower registration rate just in case? Supporting members pay a reduced rate of $25 through 1/31/07, and then complete the transaction by paying an additional $25 at any time up to and including at the door.
Registrations may also be mailed along with your payment to this address:
MarsCon
P.O. Box 21213
Eagan, MN 55121
Get your own little slice of Mars, right here on Earth. Register today.
TIME TO BOOK YOUR ROOMS...
To reserve a room, call 952-854-9000, and make sure to mention "MarsCon" in order to get the reduced rates. Room rates at the Holiday Inn Select will be $89 for a standard room and $99 for a suite. These rates apply to the party floor (13) and all other floors. To reserve a party room or a sleeping room on the party floor, contact MarsCon directly or submit a party request form at: http://marscon.org/2007/hotel/parties.php. A preliminary map of the party floor appears on that same page. Rooms are being assigned on a first come, first served basis. A map and more information about the hotel may be found at: http://marscon.org/2007/hotel/index.php.
ART SHOW INFORMATION
Art Show will be located on the second floor, across from Science Room. You can't miss it! For the MarsCon Art Show schedule, display information, mail-in art instructions, auction & artists' reception details, and guidelines, see here: http://marscon.org/2007/artshow/index.php.
MARSCON 2007 PROGRAMMING AND EVENTS
Many wonderful, zany things will be happening at MarsCon. For the incredibly preliminary MarsCon 2007 program schedule, take a look at: http://marscon.org/2007/programming/schedule.php.
USS NOKOMIS 2ND ANNUAL MARSCON BLOOD DRIVE
Since Robert Heinlein organized his first drive at MidAmericon in 1976, blood drives have been a staple at many big cons. In keeping with this grand tradition, the USS Nokomis is once again proud to host a MarsCon blood drive on Saturday, March 3rd from noon to 5:00. Remember these handy pointers:
FOOD DRIVE & PARTY CONTEST
We are bringing back something that was a huge hit at MarsCon 2004, the Party Contest Food Drive. Everyone at MarsCon can vote for his/her favorite party by bringing donations of canned goods or non-perishable food items. Drop off your donations (a.k.a. votes) by Registration. Each item counts as one vote for the party of your choice, and you may vote as often as you like. We'll post a giving chart by Registration so you can keep track of how well your favorite party is doing, and possibly rush out to buy more cans/items to stuff the ballot box with. Voting closes at 10:00 am Sunday, but you're welcome to donate more food until the convention closes. We'll announce the winning party at Closing Ceremonies. The following foods and hygiene products are needed: canned meats, beef stew, chili, peanut butter, canned vegetables, canned fruits, pasta and sauces, cereal, boxed meals, hearty soups, dried peas/beans, rice, instant potatoes, 100% fruit juices, fruit preserves, shampoo, deodorant, soap, diapers, toilet paper, toothpaste, feminine hygiene products, laundry detergent, household cleaning supplies, paper towels*. No glass containers, perishable items, or home canned goods, please!* All food collected will be donated to the Twin Cities' Second Harvest Heartland.
PLANNING MEETINGS AND VOLUNTEERS
MarsCon is run entirely by volunteers. And, guess what? You qualify! Our planning meetings (a.k.a. ConCom meetings) are open to all - would-be volunteers, spectators, representatives from other Cons and even the mildly curious. (You'll fit right in; we're a curious lot.) They generally happen on Sunday from 1-4pm. Here are the last two meeting dates for MarsCon 2007:
But don't stop there! Yes, you can combine your love of attending MarsCon with helping out before, during, and even after MarsCon. We have special gifts for our volunteers, and we will be eternally grateful! Oh, and that "volunteer" checkbox on our registration form? It's waiting for you.
MARS TODAY SUBSCRIPTIONS
To add yourself -- or remove yourself -- from our email list please surf to http://mail.marscon.org/mailman/listinfo/marstoday and scroll down to "Subscribing to Mars Today" (to add yourself to our list) or "Mars Today Subscribers" (to remove yourself). Follow the instructions and you're in (or out). If you have any trouble at all with your Mars Today subscription tell the MarsCon webmaster via web07j@marscon.org.
Thanks once more to volunteers! We could not possibly do this without you! More volunteers are always welcome & needed!
© 2007 FenSF, Inc. All Rights Reserved. This page last revised October 16, 2007 at 09:07 PM
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