This con isn't as big as other Colorado Conventions. Modest numbers when compared to NDK (7-10k people a day) and Mile High Con (at its peak popularity). But the perk is the 21 and up crowd is much larger. This con has more adult feel to it. Mostly do to classic Sci Fi and horror film elements. Adult themed costumes don't get banned either (just have some modesty). The guests, as always were great. This year Featured:
Peter Mayhew
Actor – Star Wars’ Chewbacca
Levar Burton
Startrek the Next generation, Reading Rainbow, and Roots.
Morena Baccarin
Actor – Supreme Commander and Companion
Jeffrey Combs
Actor, Alien, Re-Animator
Mark Sheppard
Ed Kramer
Award-winning Visual Effects Artist
And a slew of other guests you can see at the official link below:
http://starland.com/wp/starfest/guests/
Highlights for me included Jeffery Combs (a persona favorite, pictured above), Peter Mayhew, Special effects and Make-up crews, a visit buy Vader's First the 501st legion and Rebel Legion starwars master replicator clubs.
I sported a crowd pleasing Cthulhu costume (below). A rough draft of a future costume that should be done by years end.
This year they had a technology booth ran by Monster Machine LLC. They showed off a number of gaming Pc's featuring 3 screen panoramic 3D enabled graphics. It was a nice technology booth and I hope to see them grow and do more Denver conventions. Interested in a new computer check their link bellow.
http://www.monstermachcomp.com/
I met Jenifer Jordan of Grin and Bear it bears. Who builds costume teddy bears featuring Sci Fi clothes. Check out my picture bellow. Their website is still under construction at this time but here is their web address http://www.grinandbearitbears.com/
Another Fine lady was Renee Hiser of Astonishing Cakes (astonishingckaes.com). Who makes the cute Sci Fi cakes, cupcakes, and cookies. But they pale in comparison to the look of her formal cakes. So if you are in the Denver metro area and need a cake/cupcake/cookie You should Tell Renee I sent you.
The final group that I had the pleasure to spend time with are the people over at Needle Forge. Http://needleforge.com/ They make the most amazingly cute Cthulhu stuff animals! Tell them Cthulhu... I mean Fred Sent you.
Many other artist and contributors make these conventions work. I wish I knew them all. But maybe I should set that as a goal. I look forward to hanging out with you all at future conventions. Keep in touch Guys and good luck on your projects.
All of the shout outs were well deserved. I also agree that having more adult content makes this con fun. I get that kids like the nerdy stuff too and need to have a safe place to enjoy themselves. However, all the money is coming from adults. A lot of those adults started as the safe environment kids and now what to be adult fans in an adult environment, instead of the kid environment still.
ReplyDeleteA well written review. The shout outs and the and the announcements of the celebrities was well put.
ReplyDeleteIt's a Con that I have wanted to go to for years but I am too poor for the Conventions.
Well DanK-Oni, one of the best ways to attend cons on the cheap is to submit art projects to the art/model shows. Often if you have 1 item sell it can cover the cost of getting into the con for at least a day sometimes the whole event. Starfest and NDK have many ways to win free tickets to the next years con too.
ReplyDeleteMaking travel and lodging arrangements in advance is a great way to book cheaper rooms. And Planning the trip with friends is a great way to split hotel costs.
I personally like getting 2 Suites for the whole weekend plus 2 nights (so I can travel and get a good nights rest before the con even starts). The reason for 2 suites is 1 is my hosting party suite and the other is for sleeping. This is costly but it was something I really wanted when I was a kid and I would go con's and stay up 3 days straight. However, unless you are adorable its hard to get away with not having a hotel room (because its not likely you are going to flirt your way into someone' hotel if you are not). Plus that's dangerous and should be avoided.