Minicon
| Minicon | |
|---|---|
| Status | Active |
| Genre | Science fiction/fantasy |
| Venue | DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Bloomington |
| Location(s) | Bloomington, Minnesota |
| Coordinates | 44°51′42″N93°21′10″W/ 44.86167°N 93.35278°W |
| Country | United States |
| Inaugurated | 1968 |
| Attendance | 400–700 |
| Organized by | Minnesota Science Fiction Society |
| Filing status | Non-profit |
| Website | www |
Miniconis ascience fictionandfantasyconventioninMinneapolisusually held onEasterweekend. Started in 1968 and running approximately annually since then, it is one of the oldest science fiction conventions in the midwestUnited States.[1]It is run by theMinnesota Science Fiction Society,a non-profit organization that is "dedicated to furthering the appreciation of science fiction and fantasy literature".
Minicon has had many guests of honor over the years, includingGordon R. Dickson,Poul Anderson,Clifford D. Simak,Lester del Rey,Frederik Pohl,Octavia E. Butler,Harlan Ellison,Larry Niven,andTerry Pratchett.
Minicon should not be confused withMinnCon,a dark fantasy/horror convention founded in 1971 by fans living inSt. Paul, Minnesota.MinnCon changed its name toArcanain 1988 to avoid confusion but many area fans still refer to the convention by its older name. The term "minicon" is often used informally in science fiction circles for any small convention.
Features
[edit]Staples of modern Minicons are:
- Several tracks of panel discussions
- Readings
- Gaming, formal and informal
- TheBozo Bus Tribune,convention newsletter
- Art show
- Dealers room
- Kids' programming
- Science room
- Filkand folk music
- Consuite and bar
- Parties
History
[edit]The first Minicon was held on 6 January 1968 in Coffman Union at theUniversity of Minnesotaand had approximately 60 attendees. In all subsequent years it was held in area hotels. Attendance grew fairly steadily for many years, culminating in a series of conventions that drew over 3000 people and used as many as 4 hotels. However, in 1999, Minicon downscaled dramatically due to a feeling among some organizers that it had strayed too far from its roots and had become unmanageable. Recent Minicons have had between 400 and 700 attendees.[2]
Around the time that Minicon reduced its size, some other conventions sprang up in the area, includingCONvergenceandMarsCon.
Latest convention
[edit]Minicon 50 was held April 2–5, 2015 at the DoubleTree Bloomington Hotel inBloomington, Minnesota.The guests of honor scheduled were authorsJane Yolen,Larry NivenandBrandon Sanderson;publisherTom Doherty;musicianAdam Stempleand artistMichael Whelan.
Minicon 51 was held on Easter Weekend 2016 (March 25–27), and featured guests of honor authorSeanan McGuireand artistSara Butcher Burrier.
Minicon 52 was held on Easter Weekend 2017 (April 14–16), and featured guests of honorJim C. Hines,BrotherGuy Consolmagno,Mark Oshiro, and Jeff Lee Johnson
Minicon 53 was held on Easter Weekend 2018 (March 30 – April 1) and feature guests of honorLyda MorehouseandRachel Swirskyand feature the art ofJon Arfstrom.
Minicon 56 was held on Easter Weekend 2023 (April 7–9); it featured guests of honorMartha Wells,Sara FelixandGreg Ketter.[3]
References
[edit]- ^Sutton, Terri (2004-05-26)."Between Planets".City Pages LLC. Archived fromthe originalon 2011-06-06.Retrieved2009-01-06.
- ^Walsh, Jim (2006-05-03)."Attention Earthlings:Your Planet Sucks".City Pages LLC. Archived fromthe originalon 2009-12-20.Retrieved2009-01-06.
- ^Minicon 56 website
External links
[edit]