Farpoint Convention

Last updated
Farpoint Convention
StatusActive
Genre Science fiction, Pop culture
VenueDelta Marriott Hunt Valley Inn
Location(s) Hunt Valley, Maryland
Country United States
InauguratedOctober 8th, 1993
Organized bySharon Van Blarcom and Sandy Zier-Teitler
Filing status Not for profit
Website farpointcon.com

Farpoint is an American science-fiction convention held since 1993 in Hunt Valley, Maryland. [1] [2] The convention is fan-run, differentiating it from larger, profit-making ventures. Typical programming includes panel discussions, a competitive masquerade, fan videos, an art show, filking [3] and celebrity guest appearances. It is a successor convention to ClipperCon [4] (1984-1989) and OktoberTrek (1990-1992). The most recent Farpoint was held on February 8–10, 2019. [5]

Contents

Locations and Dates

DatesLocationAttendance*Notable Guests
October 8–10, 1993Marriott's Hunt Valley Inn 1,300 John DeLancie, June Lockhart, William Campbell
October 7–9, 1994Marriott's Hunt Valley Inn1,300 George Takei, Jonathan Brandis, Nana Visitor
October 6–8, 1995Marriott's Hunt Valley Inn1,200 Robert Picardo, John Fiedler
October 5–7, 1996Marriott's Hunt Valley Inn1,100 Michael Ansara, Tim Russ, Mark Goddard
October 4–6, 1997Marriott's Hunt Valley Inn1,500 Jonathan Frakes, Mira Furlan
November 1998 Omni in Baltimore 460 Stephen Furst, Robert O'Reilly
October 8–10, 1999Marriott's Hunt Valley InnTBD Peter Jurasik, James Darren, Robert Colbert, Mary Kay Adams
October 2000Marriott's Hunt Valley InnTBD Andreas Katsulas, Mary Kay Adams
2001**N/AN/AN/A
February 15–17, 2002Marriott's Hunt Valley Inn876 George Takei, Robin Curtis, Philip Anglim
February 14–16, 2003Marriott's Hunt Valley Inn572 Armin Shimerman, Gil Gerard, Erin Gray
February 13–15, 2004Marriott's Hunt Valley Inn722 Tim Russ, Bill Mumy, Andrew Robinson [6]
February 11–13, 2005Marriott's Hunt Valley Inn737 Jeffrey Combs, Wayne Pygram, Tony Amendola
February 17–19, 2006Marriott's Hunt Valley Inn708 Harve Bennett, Penny Johnson Jerald, Jack Stauffer
February 16–18, 2007Marriott's Hunt Valley Inn758 Ron Glass, Harve Bennett, Richard Hatch
February 15–17, 2008 [7] Marriott's Hunt Valley Inn774 James Callis, Erin Gray, Marina Sirtis
February 13–15, 2009 Crowne Plaza Baltimore North 799 Alan Tudyk, Philip Weyland, Harve Bennett
February 12–14, 2010 Crowne Plaza Baltimore North 744 Felicia Day, Lee Arenberg, Sam Witwer, Mira Furlan [8]
February 18–20, 2011 Crowne Plaza Baltimore North [9] 739 Laurie Holden, [10] Tahmoh Penikett, Bonita Friedericy
February 17–19, 2012 Crowne Plaza Baltimore North 761 Michael Hogan, Kristin Bauer, Kate Vernon [11]
February 15–17, 2013 [12] Crowne Plaza Baltimore North 792 John Billingsley, Felicia Day, Lee Arenberg, Bonita Friedericy
February 14–16, 2014North Baltimore Plaza Hotel746 Alan Dean Foster, Phil LaMarr, Melissa McBride
February 13–15, 2015North Baltimore Plaza Hotel758 Timothy Zahn, Tim Russ, Colin Ferguson
February 12–14, 2016North Baltimore Plaza Hotel731 Sean Maher, John Morton
February 14–16, 2017Radisson Baltimore Plaza Hotel778 Enver Gjokaj, Sam Witwer, Nicholas Meyer
February 9–11, 2018Delta Marriott Hunt Valley Inn 826 Matt Frewer, Nana Visitor, Timothy Zahn, Nora McLellan
February 8–10, 2019Delta Hotel by Marriott Hunt Valley837 Wallace Shawn, Maurice Lamarche, Rob Paulsen

*Attendance does not include dealers and guest numbers

**Convention was not held

History

From 1993 to 1997 the convention was held in the Hunt Valley Inn. In 1998 the convention was held in the Baltimore Omni. After 1998, the convention went back to the Hunt Valley Inn until 2008. Farpoint was created by Beverly Ott Volker in early 1993. This convention was successor to other Beverly Volker creations such as Clippercon and Oktobertrek. The convention started in October 1993, which had over 1,300 attendees. The convention continued in October until October 2000 when the committee decided to move the convention to February. This decision caused there to be no 2001 convention because it would only be a four-month span without the convention. The date change coincided with the committee decision to feature fan interests prominently alongside the celebrity guests. Farpoint programming was moved into individual tracks that focus on fans' many interests: Authors/Writing, Science, New Media (fan-created podcasting/film/webcomics), Media (movies and television), Live Performances (theater/music/comedy), Costuming and Cosplay (Masquerade) and Youth/Children. In 2003, the convention was nicknamed "SnowPoint" because the guests, attendees, and committee found themselves locked in the Hunt Valley Inn due to a massive amount of snow. This was also Beverly Volker's last convention, as she died the May of that year. Due to rising prices, in 2009, Farpoint moved to the then Crowne Plaza of Baltimore North, currently named the Radisson Hotel North Baltimore. Due to issues with the hotel changing management so often in the past 5 years, and other issues with the hotel, the Convention moved again after the 2017 convention.

In 2018, the convention moved back to the Hunt Valley Inn, which itself has technically undergone yet another name change with ownership back to Marriott, and is now known as the Delta Hotels by Marriott Baltimore Hunt Valley. Most convention goers will still call it the Hunt Valley Inn. With the move back to the "Hunt Valley Inn", the normal weekend Farpoint usually was scheduled for in February, President's day weekend, was already taken by another customer in a multi-year contract, moving Farpoint to another weekend in February. As the convention continues to thrive, Farpoint may be able to regain their normal February weekend and take advantage of that three day weekend on President's Day.

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">BayCon</span>

BayCon is the San Francisco Bay Area's longest-running fan-run science fiction and fantasy convention. It is held over Memorial Day weekend in the San Francisco Bay Area, California. BayCon draws many attendees from throughout California and also as far away as Oregon, Washington, and Arizona. The most recent BayCon was held from Friday, May 24, through Monday, May 27, 2019, in San Mateo, California. The conventions in 2020 and 2021 were cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The next BayCon is scheduled for July 1–4, 2022.

Anime North (AN) is a non-profit, fan-run anime convention, held every year in Etobicoke, a district in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. Its major attractions, activities and events include a Masquerade, a Dealers Room, an Artists Alley, Guest of Honor presentations, Gaming, Panel Discussions, Video Presentations, Contests, and Dances.

Katsucon is an annual three-day anime convention held during February at the Gaylord National Resort & Convention Center in National Harbor, Maryland. It is traditionally held in February over Presidents Day weekend and was previously held in various locations around Virginia and Washington, D.C. The basis of the conventions name is not clear, as "katsu" in the Japanese language has various meanings, including pork.

The STARFLEET International Conference is the annual business conference where members of STARFLEET: The International Star Trek Fan Association, Inc. meet the organization's leadership. The conference includes leadership meetings, information sessions, a formal banquet, an awards ceremony, and other events and entertainment.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Faerieworlds</span> Music and arts festival that is held annually in Oregon

Faerieworlds is an annual music and arts festival currently held annually in the U.S. state of Oregon. The festival's primary theme is the "realm of the faerie". As of 2015, the festival moved to Hornings Hideout near Portland after many recent festivals had been held at Mount Pisgah in the Howard Buford Park Recreation Area southeast of Eugene, Oregon. The 2015-2019 festivals were held at Horning's Hideout and 2020 saw a virtual event take place on the live stream platform PORTL. The 2021 has been cancelled due to the ongoing pandemic, and plans for 2022 are in the works pending Oregon health restrictions being lifted.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Horror convention</span>

Horror conventions are gatherings of the community of fans of various forms of horror including horror cinema, goth lifestyle, and occasionally science fiction and fantasy. Historically the focus has been on the cinematic form rather than literature and art, but this has broadened to include all forms in recent years. People in attendance at a horror convention are traditionally known as members of the convention; invited celebrities including film directors and stars are commonly known as guests of the convention, though many professionals including directors will simply attend as members.

SoonerCon is a fan-run multi-genre convention held annually in Central Oklahoma, founded in Oklahoma City proper before calling Midwest City home from 2013 until 2018 and then Norman, Oklahoma in June 2019 and the vastly larger Embassy Suites Hotel & Convention Center.

MarsCon is a science fiction convention held in Bloomington, Minnesota, United States. It was first held in February 1999 with the goal of appealing to a diverse audience of fans in Minnesota and the vicinity. It is a mid-sized convention with a wide variety of events including panel discussions, guest of honor presentations, music of many kinds, art show, film room, science room, dealers room, charity auction, and a masquerade. Past guests have included actors, authors, artists, scientists, musicians, producers, and even the occasional pooka. The Minneapolis Star-Tribune describes MarsCon as "for the sci-fi serious nerds".

Zenkaikon is a multi-genre convention held during spring at the Lancaster County Convention Center in Lancaster, Pennsylvania. The convention was formerly based around King of Prussia, Pennsylvania. Zenkaikon's name is a portmanteau of Zentrancon and Kosaikon, created when they merged in 2006. The convention has an all-volunteer staff.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Sci-Fi on the Rock</span>

Sci-Fi on the Rock is an annual science fiction, fantasy and horror festival held in St. John's, Newfoundland, Canada. It was founded by Darren Hann and Melanie Collins in mid-to-late 2006, and held its first festival in 2007. Since its first year, Sci-Fi on the Rock has been a completely volunteer organized non-profit event.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Phoenix Fan Fusion</span> Speculative fiction convention

Phoenix Fan Fusion is a speculative fiction entertainment and comic book convention held annually in Phoenix, Arizona. It was founded as the Phoenix Cactus Comicon in June 2002, and originally consisted of a one-day six-hour event held in Ahwatukee, Arizona. The convention plays host to comic related panels, programming events, art contests, and autograph signings for all ages. It is a four-day event (Thursday-Sunday) held during the summer at the Phoenix Convention Center in downtown Phoenix. On Thursday evening prior to the official opening of the event, there is a preview for professionals, exhibitors, and select guests pre-registered for all four days.

Created as the brain child of Edgar Lincoln and his wife Norma Barret-Lincoln with the help of friends, some of whom are still involved today, RadCon is a not-for-profit organization that promotes education in Science Fiction and Fantasy. Every February during President's Day weekend, RadCon hosts a weekend long convention at the Red Lion Hotel in Pasco, Washington.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Starbase Indy</span>

Starbase Indy is a science fiction convention. Its mission, revised in 2017, is "Celebrating Star Trek's vision of the future by promoting humanitarianism and STEM education today." Working to promote Gene Roddenberry's vision of a hopeful future, Starbase Indy reorganized as public benefit corporation with the purpose of raising the interest and improving the knowledge and skills of all ages in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics through engagement in public discussion, lectures, and hands-on programs during a yearly event in November. The organization also works to eliminate prejudice and discrimination through intentional inclusivity, promotion of diversity, and specifically designed activities.

MystiCon is an American science fiction convention held in Roanoke, Virginia. The name "MystiCon" was chosen by the membership as a tribute to an earlier series of Virginia conventions with that name. The organizers include members that left SheVaCon, another Virginia-based science fiction convention, citing concerns with management and operations.

MOBICON is an annual fan convention held in Mobile, AL. Named for an earlier convention known formally as the Mobile Comic Art and Science Fiction Festival, MOBICON was re-founded in 1998 and its membership has steadily grown since its inception. MOBICON is a multigenre convention with a broad focus on many aspects of popular culture, fandom including science fiction, fantasy, gaming, movies, anime, horror, art, and comics.

Sci-Fi Valley Con is an annual three day multi-genre convention held during June at the Blair County Convention Center in Altoona, Pennsylvania.

The Ottawa Comiccon is a fan convention with a focus on comics, sci-fi, horror, anime, and games. It is a spin-off of the Montreal Comiccon. It was launched in 2012. The event features comic books, toys, games, science-fiction, horror, anime, non-sport cards, and collectibles. It is held at the EY Centre convention center in Ottawa, taking place in May and lasting three days. The organizers of the Ottawa Comiccon primarily come from the Montreal Comiccon organization.

OktoberTrek was an American science-fiction convention held from 1990-1992 by Sandy Zier-Teitler in Hunt Valley, Maryland. The convention was fan-run, not-for-profit, and had programming for various topics such as a competitive masquerade, an Art Show, filking, media, gaming, and celebrity guest appearances. The convention was the successor to ClipperCon(1984-1989) and was succeeded by Farpoint(1993–present).

The Atlanta Fantasy Fair (AFF) was a multigenre convention which took place once each summer in Atlanta, Georgia from 1975 to 1995. Organized by A.C.F.F., Ltd., the convention was a nonprofit entity designed to promote the fantasy genre in the American Southeast. Over its two-decade run, the AFF featured hundreds of guests, encompassed hotels in downtown Atlanta and ran thousands of hours of programming for fans of science fiction, fantasy, comic books, and other elements of fandom.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Magnum Opus Con</span> Annual science fiction convention in U.S.

Magnum Opus Con (MOC) was an annual multigenre convention which generally took place each spring in various cities in Georgia and South Carolina from 1986–2001. Organized by comics retailer Roland Castle, the convention was designed to attract science fiction fans of all stripes. Over its 16-year run, MOC featured hundreds of celebrity guests and ran hundreds of hours of programming for fans of science fiction, fantasy, comic books, gaming, and other elements of fandom.

References

  1. ↑ Jaxton, Paullete (February 18, 2008). "Farpoint Con 2008". Archived from the original on September 7, 2014. Retrieved September 9, 2014.
  2. ↑ SciFi Diner Podcast Ep. 161 – 20 Years of Farpoint; World of Warcraft Crafts Better Employees; The Most Influential Science Fiction Movies; and More.
  3. ↑ Erik Davis, "True Believers", TV Guide's Star Trek Four Generations, Spring, 1995
  4. ↑ G, Jamie (October 31, 2012). "'Star Trek, U.N.C.L.E., Lansing and MI-O8'". Daily kos . Retrieved June 18, 2013.
  5. ↑ "Farpont-2019-Schedule" (PDF). Retrieved February 19, 2019.
  6. ↑ Sclafani, Tony (February 12, 2004). "'Out of Town'". Explore Howard. Archived from the original on August 8, 2014. Retrieved June 17, 2013.
  7. ↑ Jaxton, Paulette (February 18, 2008). "'Farpoint Con 2008'". Paulettejaxton.com. Archived from the original on September 7, 2014. Retrieved September 7, 2014.
  8. ↑ SHERPA, NERD (February 28, 2011). "'Farpoint 2011 Convention Report – You Should Have Been There'". The Convention Fans Blog . Retrieved June 18, 2013.
  9. ↑ Gunts, Edward (February 20, 2011). "'Star Trek,' sci-fi fans gather for 'Farpoint' in Timonium". The Baltimore Sun . Retrieved June 1, 2013.
  10. ↑ Koo, Carolyn (February 25, 2011). "'The Walking Dead One of Cable's Biggest Hits; Kirkman Talks Season 2'". AMCTV Blog . Archived from the original on August 30, 2011. Retrieved June 17, 2013.
  11. ↑ Vinograd, Nellie (February 22, 2012). "'Farpoint sci-fi convention is far out'". The Black & White . Retrieved June 18, 2013.
  12. ↑ Belt, David (February 18, 2013). "'Farpoint 2013 - Smaller Can Be Better'". Darkcargo. Retrieved October 6, 2013.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.