MileHiCon

Last updated
MileHiCon
StatusActive
Genre Science fiction/Fantasy
VenueHyatt Regency Tech Center-Denver
Location(s) Denver, Colorado
CountryUnited States
Inaugurated1969
Attendance900-1100
Organized byMileHiCon, Inc.
Filing statusNot-for-profit
Website www.milehicon.org

MileHiCon is an annual science fiction and fantasy convention held in Denver, Colorado in October. It is primarily literary, although it also has an art show, a vendors' room, Critter Crunch (similar to Robot Wars ), Critter Float-illa (robotic competition in the hotel pool), a video room, an anime room, a masquerade, gaming, a bat'leth tournament, and programming on science, writing, literary, and media. It runs its own track of child-friendly, interactive programming and also hosts the Avistrum Academy of Sorcery. It is run by MileHiCon, Inc., a Colorado not-for-profit corporation, and donates money each year to local literacy programs.

History

MileHiCon was started by the Denver Area Science Fiction Association (DASFA). Following the monthly meeting in September 1969, several DASFA fans discussed their recent experiences at the St. Louis WorldCon and decided to hold a science fiction Mini-Convention for the next meeting. However, due to planning and scheduling conflicts, it was postponed until November. [1]

The name of the evening-long event was shortened to Minicon. It was held in the basement meeting room of the Columbia Savings Bank, where DASFA met at that time. Since the Minicon name was taken by an organization in Minneapolis, DASFA decided to rename it Octocon, since it was to be held in October. After several years of holding Octocon, DASFA discovered there was a convention in Ireland called Octocon.Two final proposals for the new title were:

"MileHiCon" was chosen, after a close vote.

Around 1980, MileHiCon was incorporated as an entity separate from DASFA (which still meets but is not incorporated). For the last several years, attendance has generally hovered around 1,000 people.

MileHiCon 43 was held 21–23 October 2011. Guests included authors Vernor Vinge and Glen Cook, and editor Gardner Dozois with artist guest Theresa Mather. Denver author Mario Acevedo was the toastmaster.

MileHiCon 44 was held 19–21 October 2012. Guests included authors Cherie Priest and C. J. Henderson, with artist guest Stephen Hickman. Colorado author Stephen Graham Jones was the toastmaster.

MileHiCon 45 was held 18–20 October 2013. Guests included authors Seanan McGuire and Catherynne Valente, and artist Aaron B. Miller. New Mexico author Ian Tregillis was the toastmaster.

MileHiCon 46 was held 24–26 October 2014. Guests included authors Daniel Abraham and Ty Franck (who also write together as James S. A. Corey) and Michael Swanwick. Artist guests were Phil Foglio and Kaja Foglio. Denver author Jeanne C. Stein was the toastmaster. [2]

MileHiCon 47 was held 23–25 October 2015. Guests included authors Kevin Hearne and Kristine Kathryn Rusch. Artist guest was Ursula Vernon. James Van Pelt was the toastmaster. [3]

MileHiCon 48 Was held 28–30 October 2016. Guests included authors John Varley and Kelley Armstrong. Artist guest was Julie Dillon. Chaz Kemp was the toastmaster. [4]

MileHiCon 49 was 28–30 October 2017. Guests included authors Eric Flint and Jane Lindskold. Artist guest was Carrie Ann Baade. Author Jason Heller was the toastmaster.

MileHiCon 50 was 19-21 October 2018. All past guests of honor have been invited back for the semi-centennial celebration.

MileHiCon 51 was 18-20 October 2019. Guest included authors Angela Roquet and Marie Brennan. Artist guest was Elizabeth Leggett. Author Carol Berg was the toastmaster. [5]

MileHiCon 52 was 23-25 October 2020. The convention was held virtually in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.

MileHiCon 53 was 1-3 October 2021.

MileHiCon 54 was 21-23 October 2022.

MileHiCon 55 was 27-30 October 2023. Author Drew Hayes was the guest of honor.

Related Research Articles

Worldcon, or more formally the World Science Fiction Convention, the annual convention of the World Science Fiction Society (WSFS), is a science fiction convention. It has been held each year since 1939. The members of each Worldcon are the members of WSFS, and vote both to select the site of the Worldcon two years later, and to select the winners of the annual Hugo Awards, which are presented at each convention.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Science fiction convention</span> Science fiction fan gatherings

Science fiction conventions are gatherings of fans of the speculative fiction genre, science fiction. Historically, science fiction conventions had focused primarily on literature, but the purview of many extends to such other avenues of expression as films, television, comics, animation, and games. The format can vary but will tend to have a few similar features such as a guest of honour, discussion panels, readings and large special events such as opening/closing ceremonies and some form of party or entertainment. Science fiction conventions started off primarily in the UK and US but have now spread further and several countries have their own individual conventions as well as playing host to rotating international conventions.

<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 was held over Memorial Day weekend in the San Francisco Bay Area, California but moved to July 4th, Independence Day. BayCon draws many attendees from throughout California and also as far away as Oregon, Washington, and Arizona. The most recent BayCon was held from Saturday, July 1, through Tuesday, July 4, 2023, in Santa Clara, California. The next BayCon is scheduled for July 4-7, 2024.

InConJunction is a fan-run, not-for-profit science fiction convention held during the first weekend in July in Indianapolis, Indiana. Past guests include Philip José Farmer, Frederik Pohl, Catherine Asaro, George R.R. Martin, Jerry Pournelle, Glen Cook, Mike Resnick, Timothy Zahn, and David Drake. The convention focuses on literature and literacy, but not to the exclusion of other areas of interest. Unique or unusual features include a dedicated Doctor Who room sponsored by The Whoosier Network, an anime room sponsored by The Indiana Animation Club, and a charity auction supporting Indy Reads and other charities as chosen by the convention chairperson.

The 34th World Science Fiction Convention (Worldcon), also known as MidAmeriCon, was held on 2–6 September 1976 at the Radisson Muehlebach Hotel and nearby Phillips House hotel in Kansas City, Missouri, United States.

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 was originally short for "March Convention," with the convention mascot the "March Hare," affectionately named "Marconi". After the date of the convention moved away from March, the name was re-designated as "Multiple Alternative Realities Convention".

Minicon is a science fiction and fantasy convention in Minneapolis usually held on Easter weekend. Started in 1968 and running approximately annually since then, it is one of the oldest science fiction conventions in the midwest United States. It is run by the Minnesota Science Fiction Society, a non-profit organization that is "dedicated to furthering the appreciation of science fiction and fantasy literature".

ArmadilloCon is a science fiction convention held annually in Austin, Texas, USA, since 1979. As the second longest running science fiction convention in Texas, it is sponsored by the Fandom Association of Central Texas and is known for its emphasis on literary science fiction. ArmadilloCon was traditionally held in mid-October during the weekend of the Texas-OU football game, but moved to a late-summer/early-fall weekend in 1998.

The 66th World Science Fiction Convention (Worldcon), also known as Denvention 3, was held on 6–10 August 2008 at the Colorado Convention Center and the Sheraton Denver Downtown Hotel in Denver, Colorado, United States.

Octocon, the National Irish Science Fiction Convention, first held in 1989, is held (almost) annually in October. It has mostly been staged in Dublin, but for four years was in the university town of Maynooth. It was not held in 2003, and in 2014, when Ireland hosted that year's Eurocon, Shamrokon, in Dublin.

Con-Version was an annual science fiction and fantasy convention held in Calgary, Alberta, Canada. Since its beginning in 1984, the convention hosted many authors such as Robert J. Sawyer, Larry Niven, and J. Michael Straczynski; it also hosted the judging for the Robyn Herrington Memorial Short Story Competition. Appearances had also been made by Jeremy Bulloch and Dirk Benedict.

The 36th World Science Fiction Convention (Worldcon), also known as IguanaCon II, was held on 30 August–4 September 1978 at the Hyatt Regency Phoenix, Adams House, Phoenix Convention Center, and Phoenix Symphony Hall in Phoenix, Arizona, United States. Despite the name, this was the first "IguanaCon".

Conestoga was a literary science fiction and fantasy convention held annually in Tulsa, Oklahoma, from 1997 through 2010, after which it was suspended for financial and logistical reasons. The convention at first was designated by the year in which it was held. With its sixth incarnation, Conestoga converted to a whole number count, rolling the first five into the number tally, and running through #14 before stopping. Celebrating science fiction and fantasy literature and art were staples of the convention, but many who were also interested in horror, anime, and comics attended. Popular activities at the convention included filking and gaming. Featured programming included a writers track, an art show, a dealer room, a masquerade, and a play put on by the Penguin Playhouse Troupe.

ConQuesT is the annual science fiction and fantasy convention held in the Kansas City, Missouri area over the U. S. Memorial Day weekend. It is sponsored by the long-running Kansas City Science Fiction and Fantasy Society. ConQuesT is the oldest such fan convention of its type in Missouri and in the U. S. central states region, first established using the name Mid-America Con in June 1972. After that, the next nine KaCSFFS-sponsored conventions were named BYOB-Cons In 1980 KaCSFFS adopted the permanent name ConQuesT for the convention.

ReConStruction was the tenth occasional North American Science Fiction Convention. It was held in Raleigh, North Carolina, on August 5–8, 2010, at the Raleigh Convention Center, Marriott City Center, and the Downtown Raleigh Sheraton. This NASFiC was held because Melbourne, Australia, was selected as the location for the 2010 Worldcon.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">JordanCon</span> Fan convention dedicated to Robert Jordans The Wheel of Time

JordanCon is a North American convention held annually in Atlanta, Georgia, that celebrates Robert Jordan's fantasy book series The Wheel of Time, as well as other science fiction and fantasy works. The convention is a 501c4 tax exempt charitable organization founded in honor of the late Robert Jordan.

ICON is an annual science fiction convention held in the Cedar Rapids/ Iowa City area of Iowa since 1975, usually in late October or early November, under the auspices of the Mindbridge Foundation, a not-for-profit foundation also responsible for AnimeIowa and Gamicon. The organization was a branching off of the Science Fiction League of Iowa Students, which was founded by author Joe Haldeman. It is the oldest and largest science fiction convention in Iowa.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Critter Crunch (Robotics Competition)</span>

The Critter Crunch is a table top combat robot competition that takes place annually at the MileHiCon science fiction convention. Established in 1986 with the first competition held in 1987, it is widely accepted as the first combat robot competition. preceding the Robot Wars TV series by more than decade.

<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 the U.S. states of Georgia and South Carolina from 1986 to 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. ↑ DASFA newsletter, October 1969
  2. ↑ Archived 2007-05-26 at the Wayback Machine MileHiCon website (accessed 24 August 2014)]
  3. ↑ [ permanent dead link ] MileHiCon website (accessed 12 September 2015)]
  4. ↑ [ permanent dead link ] MileHiCon website (accessed 14 March 2016)]
  5. ↑ [ permanent dead link ] MileHiCon website (accessed 9 October 2018)]
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.