MarsCon History

Way back in 1997–1998, a handful of sci-fi fans had a vision of what they would like to see in a convention — A silly vision, a creative vision, a place where costumers, fans of the written word, television and movie viewers, astronomy and hard science enthusiasts, filkers, prop masters, sf artists, gamers and their many friends could party and play all weekend long. They worked hard to make that vision real, sacrificing time, money, and even hair (honest) to make it a reality. We are so grateful to that group…you know who you are…for giving us MarsCon.

Our inaugural convention, MarsCon 1999: Celebrating 60 Years of Fandom, was held at the old Radisson South Hotel on February 26–28, 1999. Met with many obstacles during the planning stages, it was perilously close to not happening. But, miraculously, a new bunch of volunteers managed to join the mayhem that was early MarsCon to infuse it with new life and shore up the reserves of that core group just in time for MarsCon’s scheduled debut. With cooperative winter weather, a fabulous surprise writeup in the Strib, and even a weekend television interview about the designated charity (Camp Heartland), it was go for launch. Guests that year were actor Carl David (of Star Trek fame) and Jeff Grubb and Kate Novak (authors of the Forgotten Realms novels). The attendance numbers surpassed all expectations, and, most importantly, it was fun! So the organizers decided to do it again… Silly people.

MarsCon 2000: Don’t Panic! (Alternate Subversive Theme: M’00) had a much longer planning time since the dates moved to May 12–14, 2000—Mother’s Day weekend. MarsCon-goers partied at the Radisson South again, this time with Guests of Honor: Actors Mark Allen Shepherd of Star Trek and the lovely Lisa Getto of Babylon 5, author team Margaret Weis and Don Perrin, fantasy artist Denise Boie (who tied the knot that very weekend), and UFOlogist Donald R. Schmitt. Chesley Bonestell was honored as MarsCon’s first ever Posthumous Guest of Honor, and Fan Guest of Honor Jack Borkowski helped create an entire Klingon track of programming for the weekend.

The convention was growing. Anime, karaoke and 24-hour-gaming had been added as activities. Parties were poolside. MarsCon 2001: A Space Oddity was held on Mother’s Day weekend yet again, May 11–13, 2001, at the Radisson South. Guests of Honor that year included author Jane Yolen, actor Bill Blair of Star Trek and Babylon 5, makeup artist Carl Talliaferro, comic artist Christopher Jones, filker Michael Liebmann, Dungeons and Dragons creator/gaming legend David Arneson, and Stanley Kubrick as Posthumous Guest.

It was all going so well, but organizers bowed to internal pressure to move off of Mother’s Day weekend, and soon commenced our annual hotel migration. MarsCon 2002: The Magic of Fantasy was held in a new venue, the Airport Hilton, on March 1–3, 2002. Guests of Honor included author and programmer extraordinaire Lyda Morehouse, actor Peter Woodward (Galen of Crusade), John Levene (Sgt. Benton of Doctor Who), fantasy artist Robin Wood, and Harvey…you know, the pooka. Another wedding happened at this MarsCon, but it was not a scheduled convention event. Hotel staff got so nervous about it, they pulled the plug on the Nick Atoms, a musical force beyond ALL comprehension. But the bride was later seen mingling with Klingons and Emperor Ming himself.

MarsCon 2003: No One Here is Exactly What He Appears found us in yet another venue, the Holiday Inn Select. It was held February 28–March 2, 2003. The weather was kind. The guests were fantastic! Writing team Sharon Lee and Steve Miller of the Liaden novels schooled everyone on the finer points of cat whisker collecting. Julie Caitlin Brown arrived with her husband and new baby, and served everyone chocolate cake. Lev Mailer shared stories about acting on the original Star Trek series. Artist John Garner put on an amazing exhibit in the Art Show, and Fan Guest David Mendez transformed an ordinary individual into something extraordinary through the use of special effects makeup. Author Douglas Adams was honored as Posthumous Guest of Honor.

MarsCon 2004: Let’s Play Doctor! was truly a tongue in cheek tribute to doctors everywhere. We made the Airport Hilton home again on March 5–7, 2004. Guests of Honor included John M. Ford (Dr. Mike), Richard Biggs (Dr. Stephen Franklin in Babylon 5), Barry Hansen “Dr. Demento”, famous belly dancer and costumer Dawn Devine Brown “Davina”, Dementia artist Luke Sienkowski “The Great Luke Ski”, and Baron David E Romm. We kicked off the convention with a radio show featuring most of the guests in celebration of Shockwave Radio’s 25th anniversary.

Another year, another hotel. MarsCon 2005: Galactic Pirates and Mercenaries was held at the Airport Marriott on March 4–6, 2005. Guests of Honor included veteran actors Richard Herd and Jeremy Bulloch (Boba Fett), rocket scientist Stephanie Gannaway-Osborn, author Timothy Zahn, Todd Coss (creator of Trooper Clerks), The Great Luke Ski, featured comic artist Ron Ross, and actor Herbert Jefferson, Jr. (Boomer from the original Battlestar Galactica). Masquerade, as always, was standing room only, the Opening Ceremonies Star Wars skit was hilarious, and attendees enjoyed playing pirates in warmer-than-usual weather.

MarsCon 2006: Things That Go Bump in the Night found us back in the Holiday Inn Select, which has been our home ever since our revelation about the Hotel Goddess Eris, sister of Mars. Hail, Eris. The convention took place March 3–5, 2006, and Guests of Honor included Gigi Edgley (Farscape), Dean Haglund (X-Files), artist Beth Hansen, author Walter H. Hunt (Dark Wing series), producer Paul Lawrence, and filker Tom Smith. Many massages were given while we paid homage to creatures from dark fantasy and horror. Most horrifying of all though was the IKV RakeHell “A Klingon Nightmare” party room that year. (shudder)

MarsCon 2007 was themeless for a change. It happened at the Holiday Inn Select on March 2–4, 2007, and, well, it is Minnesota after all. It kind of…snowed, a bit. Despite the weather, Guests of Honor Don S. Davis of Stargate: SG1, Patricia Tallman of Babylon 5, fan guest Eric Larson, author Eleanor Arnason, science guest Hugh Gregory, dementia band Ookla the Mok, all of the organizers and most of our regular attendees managed to make it. A fine time was had by all in the nice, cozy, warm hotel.

Eris paid another visit to MarsCon 2008: Press Start to Continue, claiming several rooms on the 12th and 13th floors. We shuffled parties around and managed to fit them all in. The Hollywood writers’ strike ended and our planned Actor GoH Erick Avari got called back to work—but Alien Actor Bill Blair agreed to fill in at the last minute. Our other Guests of Honor were artist Jeff Easley, author Naomi Kritzer, fan C. Robert Cargill, and dementia band Hot Waffles. Up on the party floors we got an unexpected preview of our 2009 theme “Invasion” when a group of military personnel stuck on layover decided to join us. We all partied through a typical Minnesota winter night.

MarsCon 2009: Invasion! may have sounded threatening, but Eris was too busy playing with the world economy to bother us. Once again we rocked the Holiday Inn Select with our music and costumes, along with actress Musetta Vander, artists Scott Rosema and Suzanne Hiza-Rosema, singer/songwriter Wally Pleasant, and author/science geek Jeanne Cavelos.

At MarsCon 2010: Dark Lords and Femme Fatales we explored worlds dark and sinister with actress Gwynyth Walsh, artist John Garner, science author Loretta McKibben, and the triumphant one-time-only return of The Nick Atoms.

MarsCon 2011
March 4-6, 2011
Crowne Plaza Minneapolis Int’l Airport Hotel & Suites
(formerly: Holiday Inn Hotel & Suites)
3 Appletree Square
Bloomington, MN

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This page updated 09:56 am April 10, 2015, © 2011 Fans Educational Network for Science Fiction.