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 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".

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, 7000 sqft 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 (The Curse of Monster X, Return of the Red Shirts) and many hands-on art, costuming, and science programs. It is the oldest and largest science fiction convention in the state of Ohio.

The organizing group, SOLAE, announced after the 2021 MARCon that the 57th MARCon in 2022 would be the last. However, following Marcon 57, a number of groups put together proposals to continue the convention, and in August 2022, SOLAE announced that Tony Gillian of Chillichote, Ohio, has revived the convention and will take over as the chairman for 2023.

"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.

Marcon 59
Marcon 59 has been announced for May 24–26, 2024, in Columbus, Ohio, with the tagline "join the 8-bit adventure."

Marcon 2023
May 26–28, 2023, Columbus, Ohio.

After Marcon 57 in 2022, new management has taken over working with SOLAE, the registered charity organization that owns Marcon. The convention returned to Memorial Day weekend, with dates May 26–28, 2023. Guests for Marcon 2023 were:
 * David Weber, Author Guest of Honor
 * Jordan Breeding, Content Creator Guest
 * Chaz Kemp, Artist Guest of Honor
 * Carolyn Kay

Other guests remain to be announced.

Marcon 57
May 6–8, 2022, Worthington, Ohio.

It was announced after MARCon 56 in 2021 that the 57th MARCon in 2022 would be the last. Guests of Honor for Marcon 2022 were:
 * Mary Turzillo, Author Guest of Honor
 * Mitchell Bentley, Artist Guest of Honor
 * Tom Smith, Filk Guest of Honor
 * Special Music Guests The Harp Twins

Marcon 56
September 3–5, 2021, in Crowne Plaza Columbus North in Worthington, Ohio, with
 * Author Guest of Honor Carrie Vaughn
 * Artist Guest of Honor Sara Felix
 * Science Guest of Honor Wolfgang Rumpf
 * filk Guests of Honor The Blibbering Humdingers.

Marcon 55
Marcon 55 had been scheduled for May 8–10, 2020, in Worthington, Ohio, but it was postponed and then cancelled mid-March 2020 by order of the Governor of Ohio, who cancelled all public gatherings due to the COVID-19 pandemic. It was then held as a virtual convention in May 2020, chaired by Kim Williams.

Marcon 54
May 10–12, 2019, Crowne Plaza Columbus North in Worthington, Ohio.


 * Author GoH: Charles Gannon
 * Artist GoH: John Picacio
 * Editor GoH: Rebecca Moesta
 * Science GoH: Bob and Connie Trembley
 * Filk GoH: The Hopeful Romantics
 * Media GoH: David Gerrold
 * Author Special Guest: Kevin J. Anderson
 * Local Artist Special Guest: Donna Estep
 * Cosplay Special Guest: Lady of Rohan
 * Author Music Guest The Harp Twins

Marcon 53
May 11–13, 2018, Hyatt Regency Columbus


 * Legendary Artist Guest of Honor: Larry Elmore
 * Legendary Filk Guest of Honor: Juanita Coulson
 * Fan Guest of Honor: Todd Cameron Hamilton
 * Author Guest of Honor: F. Paul Wilson
 * Young Adult Author Guest of Honor: Cinda Williams Chima
 * Media Guest of Honor: Gary Graham
 * Music Guest of Honor: Dandelion Wine
 * Artist Guest of Honor: David Lee Pancake
 * Cosplay Guest of Honor: Alexa Heart
 * Cosplay Guest of Honor:  Mogchelle Cosplay
 * Guest of Honor: Charles Xavier Conley
 * Miniatures Guest of Honor: Shoshie Bauer
 * Featured Author: Walter Jon Williams
 * Featured Author: Eric Flint
 * Featured Author: Walter Hunt
 * Featured Artist: Andy Hopp
 * Featured Cosplayer: Nerd Girl Cosplay
 * Featured Cosplayer: Brit Bliss

Marcon 52
May 10–12, 2017, Hyatt Regency Columbus

Guests of Honor:
 * Jacqueline Carey,
 * Kristen Simmons,
 * Charles Urbach,
 * Talis Kimberley,
 * Alexa Heart,
 * Phil and Kaja Foglio,
 * Jason Hardy,
 * Jason Marsden

Marcon 51
May 6–8, 2016, Hyatt Regency Columbus
 * Seanan McGuire – Author Guest of Honor
 * Mogchelle Cosplay – Cosplay Guest of Honor
 * S. J. Tucker – Music Guest of Honor

Marcon 50
May 8–10, 2015, Hyatt Regency, Columbus, Ohio

For Marcon 50 there was no official Guest of Honor. Instead, many past GoHs returned for the 50th anniversary. The con also hosted the Libertarian Futurist Prometheus Award ceremony.

Marcon 49
May 9–11, 2014, Hyatt Regency in Columbus OH. The theme was "Technical Difficulties".

Guests of Honor:
 * Author Guest of Honor: Glen Cook
 * Music Guests of Honor: Heather Dale and Ben Deschamps
 * Filk/Kids Science Guest: Tim Griffin

Marcon 49 also featured a 1632 series "Minicon", with Author Guest of Honor Eric Flint.

Marcon 48
March 29–31, 2013, Hyatt Regency Columbus.
 * Joe Haldeman – Author Guest of Honor
 * Heather Kreiter – Artist Guest of Honor
 * Gay Haldeman – Fan Guest of Honor
 * Jeff Dee – Gaming Guest of Honor
 * Toyboat – Filk Guest of Honor
 * Brian Keene – Special Guest
 * F. Paul Wilson – Special Guest

Marcon 47
April 6–8, 2012
 * Tamora Pierce – Author Guest of Honor
 * Sarah Clemens – Artist Guest of Honor
 * Paula Guran – Editor Guest of Honor
 * Dr. Bradley Lepper – Science Guest of Honor
 * Erica Neely – Filk Guest of Honor
 * Manu Intiraymi – Media Guest of Honor

Marcon 46
May 27–29, 2011
 * F. Paul Wilson – Author Guest of Honor
 * Eric Flint – Author Guest of Honor
 * Harry Turtledove – Theme Guest of Honor
 * John Palencar – Artist Guest of Honor
 * Leslie Fish – Filk Guest of Honor
 * Brent Keith – Gaming Guest of Honor
 * The Extraordinary Contraptions – Special SteamPunk Music Guest
 * Marc G. Millis – Special Science Guest

Marcon 45
May 28–30, 2010
 * Wen Spencer – Author Guest of Honor
 * Billy Tackett – Artist Guest of Honor
 * Seanan McGuire – Filk Guest of Honor
 * Central Ohio Paranormal Society – Special Theme Guest
 * Twilight Creations – Gaming Guest of Honor
 * Richard Hatch – Media Guest of Honor
 * Casey Daniels, Shane Moore, Donnie Dunagan – Special Guests

Marcon 44
May 22–24, 2009
 * Simon R. Green – Author Guest of Honor
 * Jordin Kare – Science Guest of Honor
 * Patricia McCracken – Artist Guest of Honor
 * Chris Conway – Filk Guest of Honor
 * David H. Lawrence XVII – Media Guest of Honor
 * Samuel Travis Clemmons – Full Spectrum Featured Guest
 * Arnold Blumberg – Featured Guest

Marcon 43
May 23–25, 2008
 * Alexander James Adams – Filk Guest of Honor
 * Steven Brust – Toastmaster
 * Rebecca Forstadt – Anime Guest of Honor
 * Kevin Standlee – Fan Guest of Honor
 * Sister Sola/Casandra – Costuming Guest of Honor
 * Ray van Tilburg – Artist Guest of Honor
 * Toni Weisskopf – Editor Guest of Honor
 * Hank Reinhardt – Science Guest of Honor: Mr. Reinhardt died before the convention.  The con-com decided to honor him by keeping him as the Science Guest of Honor.
 * Robert Asprin – Author Guest of Honor: Mr. Asprin died the day before the convention.
 * Jody Lynn Nye – Author Guest of Honor: Due to Mr. Asprin's death Ms. Nye was unable to attend.
 * Wizards of the Coast – Gaming Guest of Honor
 * Marc Singer – Media Guest of Honor
 * Leah Cairns – Media Guest of Honor

Marcon 42
May 25–27, 2007
 * Keith R.A. DeCandido – Author Guest of Honor
 * Laura Reynolds – Artist Guest of Honor (Prism Studios' griffons & such)
 * Timothy Zahn – Toastmaster
 * Kevin Sorbo – Media Guest of Honor
 * Nancy Janda – Fan Guest of Honor
 * Three Weird Sisters – Filk Guests of Honor
 * Pierre and Sandy Pettinger – Costuming Guests of Honor
 * Looney Labs – Gaming Guests of Honor

Marcon 41
May 26–28, 2006 – approximately 2100 attendees

Guests:
 * Author Guest: George R. R. Martin
 * Artist Guest: Jody Lee
 * Editor Guest: David G. Hartwell
 * Media Guest: Eugene Roddenberry Jr.
 * Costuming Guest: Chris Kramer
 * Fan Guest: B. J. Mitias
 * Filk Guest: Dave & Judith Hayman
 * Steve Lee
 * Gaming Guest: Pieramyd Productions, Ltd.
 * Electronic Gaming Guest: EB Games
 * Toastmaster: Bill Roper

Marcon 40
May 27–29, 2005 – approximately 2100 attendees
 * Larry Niven – Author Guest of Honor
 * Animal X – Costuming Guest of Honor
 * Howard DeVore – Fan Guest of Honor
 * Mike Resnick – Toastmaster
 * Roger Zelazny – Ghost of Honor
 * Tom Smith – Filk Guest of Honor
 * Larry Elmore – Artist Guest of Honor
 * Richard Hatch – Media Guest of Honor
 * Steve Jackson – Gaming Guest of Honor
 * Steve Saffel – Editor Guest of Honor
 * John Kovalic – Comics Guest of Honor
 * Geoffrey A. Landis – Guest of Honor
 * John Levene – Media Guest of Honor

Marcon 39
May 28–30, 2004 – approximately 2000 attendees
 * Laurell K. Hamilton – Author Guest of Honor
 * Bob Eggleton – Artist Guest of Honor
 * Cecilia Tan – Dark Fantasy Guest of Honor
 * Ellen Datlow – Editor Guest of Honor
 * Julie Zetterberg – Costuming Guest of Honor
 * Cynthia McQuillin and Dr. Jane Robinson – Filk Guests of Honor
 * Bjo and John Trimble – Fan Tuests of Honor
 * Hugh S. Gregory – Science Guest of Honor
 * Twilight Creations – Gaming Guest of Honor
 * J. D. Lees – Godzilla Special Guest
 * Dr. Demento – Toastmaster

Marcon 38
May 23–25, 2003 – approximately 1800 attendees
 * J. Gregory Keyes – Author Guest of Honor
 * Richard Biggs – Media Guest of Honor
 * Eugene Roddenberry Jr. – Media Guest of Honor
 * Kenny Baker – Media Guest of Honor
 * Bill and Brenda Sutton – Filk Guests of Honor
 * Judith and Dave Hayman – Featured Filkers

Marcon 37
May 24–26, 2002 – approximately 2000 attendees
 * Catherine Asaro – Science Guest of Honor
 * Zander Nyrond – Filk Guest of Honor

Marcon 36
May 25–27, 2001 – approximately 3600 attendees
 * Hosted 2001 Prometheus Award presentations and LFSCon
 * James P. Hogan – Prometheus Award Guest of Honor
 * Doctor Demento – Toastmaster
 * Robert Jordan– Author Guest of Honor
 * Ellisa Mitchell – Artist Guest of Honor
 * Ray and Barb VanTilburg – Fan Guests of Honor
 * Gary Lockwood and Peter Woodward – Media Guests of Honor
 * Karen Bergquist – Costuming Guest of Honor
 * Bob and Ann Passavoy – Filk Guests of Honor
 * Geoffrey A. Landis – Science Guest of Honor
 * Hex Games – Guests of Honor
 * Poul and Karen Anderson – Grand Master Guests of Honor

Marcon 35
May 26–28, 2000, Hyatt Regency Hotel and Columbus Convention Center, Columbus, Ohio – Approximately 2400 attendees

Guest of Honor:
 * Janny Wurts and Don Maitz
 * Josef and Kit Matulich
 * Maryann and Kevin Siembieda – Gaming Guests of Honor
 * Richard Chevolleau and Leni Parker – Media Guests of Honor
 * Doctor Demento
 * Steve MacDonald – Filk Guest of Honor

Marcon 34
Hyatt Regency, Columbus, Ohio, May 7–9, 1999 – Approximately 2800 attendees
 * David Drake – Guest of Honor
 * Erin McKee – Artist Guest of Honor
 * Steve Saffel – Editor Guest of Honor
 * Syntax – Filk Guest of Honor

Marcon 33
1998 – Approximately 2200 attendees
 * Ookla the Mok (band) – Filk Guest of Honor

Marcon 32
May 9–11, 1997 – approximately 2800 attendees
 * Harry Turtledove – Author Guest of Honor
 * Juanita Coulson – Filk Guest of Honor

Marcon 31
May 3–5, 1996, Hyatt Regency, Columbus
 * J. Michael Straczynski and Katherine Kurtz - Author Guests of Honor
 * Larry Elmore - Artist Guest of Honor
 * Joey Shoji – Filk Guest of Honor

Marcon 30
May 5–7, 1995. Theme was "Dreams and Memories".
 * Spider Robinson & Jeanne Robinson - Author Guests of Honor
 * Ray Harryhausen - Artist Guest of Honor
 * Kathy Mar – Filk Guest of Honor
 * Many of the cast of Babylon 5 and J. Michael Straczynski

Marcon 29
1994
 * Philip Jose Farmer – Science Fiction Guest of Honor
 * Barbara Hambly – Fantasy Guest of Honor
 * Boris Vallejo – Artist Guest of Honor
 * Forry Ackerman – Media Guest of Honor
 * Dr. Jane Robinson – Filk Guest of Honor
 * David Ivey – Costuming Guest of Honor
 * Barry B. Longyear – Toastmaster

Marcon 28
1993
 * Michael Longcor – Filk Guest of Honor
 * Tom Smith – Toastmaster
 * Denny O'Neil – Comic Book Guest of Honor
 * Mike Resnick – Author Guest of Honor
 * Julius Schwartz – Super Guest of Honor
 * Ray Van Tiberg – Artist Guest of Honor
 * Animal X – Special Contuming Guest
 * Jane Yolen – Author Guest of Honor

Marcon 27
May 22–25, 1992
 * Roger Zelazny – Author Guest of Honor
 * Orson Scott Card – Author Guest of Honor
 * Bill and Brenda Sutton – Toastmasters
 * Lois McMaster Bujold – Special Featured Guest of Honor
 * Randy Asplund-Faith – Artist Guest of Honor
 * Sue & Steve Francis – Fan Guests of Honor
 * Richard Tucholka – Gaming Guest of Honor

Marcon 26
1991
 * C. J. Cherryh – Author Guest of Honor
 * Juanita Coulson – Filk Guest of Honor
 * Lois McMaster Bujold – Author Guest of Honor
 * Rowena Morrill – Artist Guest of Honor
 * "Moonwulf" Michael Longcor – Toastmaster
 * Richard Spelman – Fan Guest of Honor

Marcon XXV
1990
 * George R. R. Martin – Author Guest of Honor
 * Melinda Snodgrass – Author Guest of Honor
 * Gahan Wilson – Artist Guest of Honor
 * Murray Porath – Filk Guest of Honor
 * Chris Claremont – Special Comic Book Guest of Honor
 * Edward Bryant – Featured Guest
 * John J. Miller – Featured Guest
 * Stephen Leigh – Featured Guest
 * Walter Jon Williams – Featured Guest
 * Howard Waldrop – Featured Guest
 * Walton Simons – Featured Guest
 * Lois McMaster Bujold – Featured Guest

Marcon XXIV
1989 – 1244 attendees
 * Hal Clement – Guest of Honor
 * Todd Cameron Hamilton – Artist Guest of Honor
 * Barry and Sally Childs-Helton – Filking Guests of Honor
 * Steve Jackson – Gaming Guest of Honor

Marcon XXIII
1988 – 1050 attendees
 * David Brin – Guest of Honor
 * Michael Whelan – Artist Guest of Honor
 * Bill Sutton – Toastmaster
 * Kevin Siembieda – Gaming Guest of Honor

Marcon XXII
1987 – 960 attendees
 * Michael P. Kube-McDowell – Guest of Honor
 * David Mattingly – Artist Guest of Honor
 * Juanita Coulson – Toastmaster
 * Kevin Siembieda – Gaming Guest of Honor
 * Tom Savini – Media Guest of Honor
 * Bill Roper – Fan Guest of Honor

Marcon XXI
1986 – 1056 attendees
 * Roger Zelazny – Guest of Honor
 * Kelly Freas – Artist Guest of Honor
 * Andrew J. Offutt – Toastmaster
 * Bill Maraschiello – Con Musician

Marcon XX
1985 – 723 attendees
 * Larry Niven – Guest of Honor
 * Carl Lundgren -Artist Guest of Honor
 * Bill Maraschiello – Con Musician

Marcon XIX
1984 – 592 attendees
 * C. J. Cherryh – Guest of Honor
 * Todd Cameron Hamilton – Artist Guest of Honor

Marcon XVIII
1983 – 440 attendees
 * James P. Hogan – Guest of Honor

Marcon XVII
1982 – 379 attendees
 * Hal Clement – Guest of Honor
 * Juanita Coulson – Toastmaster
 * Buck Coulson – Fan Guest of Honor

Marcon XVI
1981 – 426 attendees
 * Andrew J. Offutt – Guest of Honor

Marcon XV
1980 – 383 attendees
 * L. Sprague de Camp – Guest of Honor
 * Catherine Crook de Camp – Toastmaster

Marcon XIV
1979 – 372 attendees
 * Katherine Kurtz – Guest of Honor
 * Wilson (Bob) Tucker – Toastmaster

Marcon XIII
1978 – 264 attendees
 * A. Bertram Chandler – Guest of Honor

Marcon XII
1977 – 222 attendees
 * Alan Dean Foster – Guest of Honor

Marcon XI
1976 – 212 attendees
 * Joe Haldeman – Guest of Honor

Marcon X
1975 – Approximately 185 attendees
 * James E. Gunn – Guest of Honor

Marcon IX
1974 – Approximately 170 attendees
 * Hal Clement – Guest of Honor
 * Andrew J. Offutt – Toastmaster

Marcon VIII
1973 – Approximately 100 attendees
 * Anne McCaffrey – Guest of Honor

Marcon VII
1972 – Approximately 150 attendees
 * Roger Zelazny – Guest of Honor

Marcon VI
1971 – Approximately 120 attendees
 * Lester del Rey – Guest of Honor

Marcon V
1970 – Approximately 105 attendees
 * Gordon R. Dickson – Guest of Honor

Marcon IV
1969 – Approximately 100 attendees
 * Terry Carr – Guest of Honor

Marcon III
1968 (First time in Columbus) – Approximately 85 attendees
 * Frederik Pohl – Guest of Honor

Marcon II
1967 (Toledo) – Approximately 60 attendees

Marcon I
1966 (Toledo) – Approximately 20 attendees
 * Roger Zelazny – Unofficial Guest of Honor