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MarsCon (Virginia)

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Not to be confused with MarsCon (Bloomington, Minnesota).
MarsCon
MarsCon logo
StatusActive
GenreScience fiction
Location(s)Virginia Beach, Virginia
CountryUnited States
Inaugurated1990
Websitemarscon.net

MarsCon in Virginia Beach, Virginia is a mid-sized regional science fiction convention founded in 1990. The convention provides a relaxed environment for people who enjoy science fiction to meet new friends and talk about their interests. The convention has been described as "the largest and longest-running science fiction/fantasy convention in the Tidewater area."[1]

History

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The history of MarsCon begins with an earlier convention known as Sci-Con, a well established, general science fiction convention in Virginia Beach, Virginia. In 1990 the people who worked every year to bring Sci-Con together held a low key relaxicon or "relaxing convention" for its members. After the first year, this new convention was re-christened MarsCon in honor of a long-standing fake bid to host the World Science Fiction Convention on the planet Mars in 2095.

With a focus on relaxation and camaraderie, MarsCon hosts a variety of convention activities including panel discussions and workshop activities, gaming (including role-playing games, and card games), a video room with anime, a dealers room, annual tea party, auction for charity, and an art show.

Conventions

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Upcoming

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  • MarsCon 2025: Galactic Empires & Epic Interstellar Legends will be held January 17–19, 2025, at the Holiday Inn Virginia Beach - Norfolk in Virginia Beach, Virginia. The Guests are Christopher Ruocchio and Cassandra Rose Clarke (co-Guests of Honor), Stephen Buonocore (Gaming Guest of Honor) and others TBD.

Past

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  • MarsCon 1996 was held January 12–14, 1996, at the George Washington Inn in Williamsburg, VA.
  • MarsCon 1997 was held January 10–12, 1997, at the Ramada Inn Historic (formerly the George Washington Inn) in Williamsburg, VA.
  • MarsCon 2002 was held January 11–13, 2002, at the former Ramada Inn and Conference Center in Williamsburg, VA. $1800 was raised for the Heritage Humane Society. Additionally, the Con Suite Bean Jar also raised $87 for the Police and Firefighter's 9-11 fund.[2]
  • MarsCon 2003 was held January 24–26, 2003 at the Clarion Hotel (formerly the Ramada Inn), Williamsburg, VA.[3]
  • MarsCon 2004 was held January 23–25, 2004 at the Clarion Hotel, Williamsburg, VA.[4] The convention raised $1875 through the charity auction for the Heritage Humane Society.[5]
  • MarsCon 2005 was held January 21–23, 2005 at the Clarion Hotel, Williamsburg, VA. The US Military had booked rooms at the hotel and, due to a shift in scheduling, the hotel cut the 300 room block it had promised to the Con.[6] The convention raised over $2000 for the local Heritage Humane Society.[7]
  • MarsCon 2006 was held January 20–22, 2006, at the Holiday Inn Patriot in Williamsburg, VA.[8]
  • MarsCon 2007 was held January 19–21, 2007, at the Holiday Inn Patriot in Williamsburg, VA.[9]
  • MarsCon 2008 January 18–20, 2008, at the Holiday Inn Patriot in Williamsburg, VA.[10]
  • MarsCon 2009 was held January 16–18, 2009, at the Holiday Inn Patriot in Williamsburg. The convention's theme was "steampunk" and author John Ringo was the guest of honor.[1] Other notable guests included writer and publisher Toni Weisskopf, artist and author Ron Miller, game designer Steve Long, and members of the 501st Legion.[1][11]
  • MarsCon 2010 was held January 15–17, 2010, at the Holiday Inn Patriot in Williamsburg. The convention was the focus of the January 19, 2010, edition of The Adventures of Cynical Woman webcomic.[12]
  • MarsCon 2011 was held January 14–16, 2011, at the Holiday Inn Patriot in Williamsburg. Notable guests included author Jim Butcher, author Shannon Butcher, artist Ursula Vernon, cartoonist Rob Balder, writer Keith R. A. DeCandido, and author Andrew Fox. Convention attendance was estimated at 983 members with at least $2500 raised for the Heritage Humane Society, the event's designated charity.[13]
  • MarsCon 2012 was held January 13–16, 2012, at the Holiday Inn Patriot in Williamsburg. The convention's theme is "It's the end of the MarsCon as we know it", playing off both the "Mayan apocalypse" predicted by some for 2012 and the R.E.M. song "It's the End of the World as We Know It (And I Feel Fine)".[14] MarsCon 2012 raised close to $3000.00 for The Heritage Humane Society.[15]
  • MarsCon 2013 was held January 18-20, 2013, at the Crowne Plaza Williamsburg at Ft. Magruder, Williamsburg, Virginia. The convention's theme was "Rebirth".[16] Over 1,000 attendees joined MarsCon.[17]
  • MarsCon 2014: A Twisted Fairy Tale was held January 17–19, 2014, at the Fort Magruder Hotel and conference Center. Notable guests included author Jim C. Hines and author Carrie Ryan. The convention raised more than $5,000 for the Heritage Humane Society, the event's designated charity.[18]
  • MarsCon 2015: 25 Shades of MarsCon was held January 16–18, 2015, at the Fort Magruder Hotel and Conference Center. This is the 25th anniversary for MarsCon. Some of our favorite former guests (shades of conventions passed) will be returning, including David Weber, Katherine Kurtz, David B. Coe, and D.B. Jackson. The convention will once again be supporting our the Heritage Humane Society, the event's designated charity, with an auction on Saturday evening which raised $4305 for Heritage Humane.[19]
  • MarsCon 2016: Sweet '16 Celebrating Women in Science Fiction was held January 15–17, 2016, at the DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel in Williamsburg, Virginia. The Guest of Honor was Ellen Kushner. The convention once again supported the Heritage Humane Society, the event's designated charity, with an auction on Saturday evening.[20]
  • MarsCon 2017: Year of the Dragon was held January 13–15, 2017, at the DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel in Williamsburg, Virginia. The Guests of Honor were Todd J. McCaffrey (Writer), Ruth Thompson (Artist), Carla Brindle (Fan), Mari Mancusi (YA Writer), Mikey Mason (Musical)[21]
  • MarsCon 2018: Werewolves of MarsCon was held January 12–14, 2018, at the DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel in Williamsburg, Virginia. The Guests of Honor were Carrie Vaughn (Writer), Tim Shinn (Artist), Julie Wall (Fan), Maria V. Snyder (YA Writer), The Blibbering Humdingers (Musical), Tonya Woldridge (Gaming)[22]
  • MarsCon 2019: Land of the Faerie was held January 18-20th, 2019, at the DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel in Williamsburg, Virginia. The Guests of Honor this year were Seanan McGuire (Writer), Catherynne M. Valente (YA Writer), Meredith Dillman (Artist) and Valentine Wolfe (Musical).[23]
  • MarsCon 2020: Rogues and Rebels was held January 17–19, 2020, at the DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel in Williamsburg, Virginia. The Guests of Honor were Scott Lynch (Writer), David Weber (Special), Charles Urbach (Artist), Leslye Penelope (YA Writer), John Wick (Gaming) and Jonah Knight (Musical). Attendance - 1452. The convention, once again, supported the Heritage Humane Society with an auction (which raised $4039 with more coming in) on Saturday evening.[24]
  • MarsCon 2021, scheduled for January 15–17, 2021, was cancelled due to Coronavirus concerns.[25]
  • MarsCon 2022: Myths & Legends was held March 18–20, 2022 (postponed from January 14–16, 2022), at the DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel in Williamsburg, Virginia. The Guests of Honor were Peter V Brett (Writer), Phillip Pournelle (Special), Kaysha Siemens (Artist), David Weber (Special). Attendance - <pending>.[26]
  • MarsCon 2023: Witches and Warlocks was held on January 13–15, 2023, at the Holiday Inn Virginia Beach - Norfolk in Virginia Beach, Virginia. The Guests of Honor were D. J. Butler (Writer), Chaz Kemp (Artist), Katie Cross (YA Author). Attendance - approx 900.[27]
  • MarsCon 2024: Marso's Monster Mayhem was held January 12–14, 2024, at the Holiday Inn Virginia Beach - Norfolk in Virginia Beach, Virginia. The Guests of Honor were Larry Correia (Writer), and Mera Rose (Costuming). Attendance - approx 800. The convention, once again, supported the Heritage Humane Society with an auction (which raised $3467).[28]

References

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  1. ^ a b c "Fans - Not Geeks - Here for MarsCon 2009". Williamsburg Yorktown Daily. January 15, 2009. Retrieved April 13, 2011.
  2. ^ "The Original MarsCon". Archived from the original on 2001-05-17. Retrieved January 23, 2019.
  3. ^ "The Original MarsCon". Archived from the original on 2001-12-11. Retrieved January 23, 2019.
  4. ^ "MarsCon 2004". Archived from the original on 2003-07-29. Retrieved January 23, 2019.
  5. ^ "MarsCon 2005". Archived from the original on 2004-02-06. Retrieved January 23, 2019.
  6. ^ "MarsCon 2005". Archived from the original on 2004-11-30. Retrieved January 23, 2019.
  7. ^ "MarsCon 2006". Archived from the original on 2005-02-06. Retrieved January 23, 2019.
  8. ^ "MarsCon 16". Archived from the original on 2005-11-26. Retrieved January 23, 2019.
  9. ^ "MarsCon 17". Archived from the original on 2006-01-04. Retrieved January 23, 2019.
  10. ^ "MarsCon 18 - January 18-20, 2008". Archived from the original on 2006-07-12. Retrieved January 23, 2019.
  11. ^ "W.Y.D.: What You'll Do, Jan. 16-18". Williamsburg Yorktown Daily. January 14, 2009. Retrieved April 13, 2011.
  12. ^ Madden, Helen E.H. (January 19, 2010). "ACW Episode 52 – My very adult weekend". The Adventures of Cynical Woman. Retrieved April 13, 2011.
  13. ^ "MarsCon 2011". Archived from the original on 2010-11-08. Retrieved Jan 15, 2024.
  14. ^ "MarsCon 2012". Archived from the original on 2011-05-08. Retrieved Jan 15, 2024.
  15. ^ "Charity Auction - The Heritage Humane Society". Archived from the original on 2012-09-18. Retrieved January 27, 2013.
  16. ^ "MarsCon 2013 - Rebirth! - January 18-20 2013". Archived from the original on 2012-12-13. Retrieved Jan 15, 2024.
  17. ^ "MarsCon 2013 - Rebirth! - January 18-20 2013". Archived from the original on 2013-02-02. Retrieved Jan 15, 2024.
  18. ^ "MarsCon - A Twisted Fairy Tale! – January 17-19th, 2014". Archived from the original on 2013-04-05. Retrieved Jan 15, 2024.
  19. ^ "25 Shades of MarsCon". Archived from the original on 2014-12-28. Retrieved Jan 15, 2024.
  20. ^ "MarsCon 2016 - Tidewater Virginia's Longest Running Convention!". Archived from the original on 2015-12-27. Retrieved Jan 15, 2024.
  21. ^ https://www.facebook.com/events/marscon-2017/918289034966771/ Retrieved Jan 21, 2019. [user-generated source]
  22. ^ "MarsCon 2018 Guests – MarsCon 2023". www.marscon.net. Retrieved Jan 21, 2019.
  23. ^ "MarsCon 2019 - January 18-20th, 2019 – Williamsburg Va. – Tidewater Virginia's Longest Running Convention!". Archived from the original on 2019-01-05. Retrieved January 15, 2024.
  24. ^ "MarsCon 2020". Archived from the original on 2019-12-08. Retrieved January 15, 2024.
  25. ^ "MarsCon 2021 - January 15-17th, 2021 – Williamsburg Va. – Tidewater Virginia's Longest Running Convention!". Archived from the original on 2020-11-01. Retrieved Jan 15, 2024.
  26. ^ "MarsCon 2022 March 18th – 20th, 2022 – Williamsburg Va. – Tidewater Virginia's Longest Running Convention!". Archived from the original on 2022-01-04. Retrieved Jan 15, 2024.
  27. ^ "MarsCon 2023 January 13th – 15th, 2023 – Tidewater Virginia's Longest Running Convention!". Archived from the original on 2022-12-06. Retrieved Jan 15, 2024.
  28. ^ "MarsCon 2024 – Jan 12-14, 2024". Archived from the original on 2024-01-04. Retrieved Jan 15, 2024.
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