I’ve Been to Cassiopeia!
Thursday, October 23rd, 2008Oh, I don’t mean the constellation. I mean Con*’Stellation!
Con*Stellation is an annual general-interest science fiction convention held in Huntsville, Alabama. It is hosted by the North Alabama Science Fiction Association. Each Con*Stellation has been subtitled with an astronomical constellation — usually one of the 88 official modern constellations. The convention often uses the constellation as a theme in its advertising and for events at the convention. This year the theme was the constellation Cassiopeia, a northern constellation which Greek mythology considered to represent the vain queen Cassiopeia who boasted about her unrivaled beauty.
I have been attending Con*Stellation as a dealer for several years. I’ve always enjoyed them, but it occurred to me this past weekend that one of the reasons that I like this one so much is that these people are serious about their convention.
I attend a great many conventions across the country. I meet many people who are serious about various aspects of the science fiction community. Some promote publishing. Some promote reading. Still others promote all the myriad other niches, such as art, gaming, video, interacting with the guests, costuming, etc. For those, the convention is a tool to promote their interests. The folks in Huntsville are very serious about their convention!
Con*Stellation has been around since the very early 1980’s. The current number of attendees isn’t viable to support the convention financially, but the fans persist in putting it on each year. They maintain a steady stream of great guests. Those guests include authors, editors, artists, publishers and scientists. The group works hard to present all the aspects of a much larger convention. I love the Masquerade on Saturday evening. The Con Suite is one of the best anywhere! The Art Show is small, but I find pieces I’m intersted in year after year. I don’t get involved in the gaming aspect, but their’s seems to be well attended.
What makes a great convention? It’s the people! Con*Stellation has some of the best people supporting any convention.
Check them out! You won’t be sorry. I’m serious.
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Zane Melder EDGE Books Kentwood, LA |