Marcon (convention)


Marcon is a full-spectrum fantasy and science fiction convention based in Columbus, Ohio, and was on Easter weekend in 2013 but moved to Mother's Day weekend starting in 2014. It is now operated by the Columbus-based Science Oriented Literature, Art, and Education Foundation, a non-profit educational corporation. The name is derived from "Multiple Alternative Realities Convention".
Marcon offers a dozen tracks of programming in art, costuming, fan, filk, literary, media, and science, as well as events and displays including a masquerade, art show, dealers room, multiple 24-hour video tracks, of gaming space, and at least one dance. Marcon runs a children's track of programming that has included independent filmmakers helping the kids create their own movies and many hands-on art, costuming, and science programs. It is the oldest and largest sci-fi convention in the state of Ohio.
"Marcon Ballroom", a filk song by Anne Passovoy about an incident with hotel management failing to adjust to the needs of fandom, was awarded a Pegasus Award as "Best Classic Filk Song" in 2005.

History

2010s

Marcon 53
May 11–13, 2018, Hyatt Regency Columbus
Marcon 52
May 10–12, 2017, Hyatt Regency Columbus

Marcon 51

May 6–8, 2016, Hyatt Regency Columbus

Marcon 49

Marcon 48

March 29–31, 2013, Hyatt Regency Columbus
.
April 6–8, 2012
May 27–29, 2011
May 28–30, 2010

Marcon 44

May 22–24, 2009
May 23–25, 2008
May 25–27, 2007
May 26–28, 2006 – approximately 2100 attendees
Guests:
May 27–29, 2005
approximately 2100 attendees
May 28–30, 2004 – approximately 2000 attendees
May 23–25, 2003 – approximately 1800 attendees
May 24–26, 2002 – approximately 2000 attendees
May 25–27, 2001 – approximately 3600 attendees
2000 – Approximately 2400 attendees

Marcon 34

1999 – Approximately 2800 attendees
1998 – Approximately 2200 attendees
May 9–11, 1997 – approximately 2800 attendees
1996
1995
1994
1993
May 22–25, 1992
1991
1990

Marcon XXIV

1989 – 1244 attendees
1988 – 1050 attendees
1987 – 960 attendees
1986 – 1056 attendees
1985 – 723 attendees
1984 – 592 attendees
1983 – 440 attendees
1982 – 379 attendees
1981 – 426 attendees
1980 – 383 attendees

Marcon XIV

1979 – 372 attendees
1978 – 264 attendees
1977 – 222 attendees
1976 – 212 attendees
1975 – Approximately 185 attendees
1974 – Approximately 170 attendees
1973 – Approximately 100 attendees
1972 – Approximately 150 attendees
1971 – Approximately 120 attendees
1970 – Approximately 105 attendees

Marcon IV

1969 – Approximately 100 attendees
1968 – Approximately 85 attendees
1967 – Approximately 60 attendees

Marcon I

1966 – Approximately 20 attendees