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 is derived from "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, 7,000 square feet (650 m2) 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 sci-fi convention in the state of Ohio.
"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.
May 6–8, 2016
Seanan McGuire - Author Guest of HonorMogchelle Cosplay - Cosplay Guest of HonorS. J. Tucker - Guest SingerMarch 29–31, 2013 .
Joe Haldeman – Author Guest of HonorHeather Kreiter – Artist Guest of HonorGay Haldeman – Fan Guest of HonorJeff Dee – Gaming Guest of HonorToyboat – Filk Guest of HonorBrian Keene – Special GuestF. Paul Wilson – Special GuestApril 6–8, 2012
Tamora Pierce – Author Guest of HonorSarah Clemens – Artist Guest of HonorPaula Guran – Editor Guest of HonorDr. Bradley Lepper – Science Guest of HonorErica Neely – Filk Guest of HonorManu Intiraymi – Media Guest of HonorMay 27–29, 2011
F. Paul Wilson – Author Guest of HonorEric Flint – Author Guest of HonorHarry Turtledove – Theme Guest of HonorJohn Palencar – Artist Guest of HonorLeslie Fish – Filk Guest of HonorBrent Keith – Gaming Guest of HonorThe Extraordinary Contraptions – Special SteamPunk Music GuestMarc G. Millis – Special Science GuestMay 28–30, 2010
Wen Spencer – Author Guest of HonorBilly Tackett – Artist Guest of HonorSeanan McGuire – Filk Guest of HonorCentral Ohio Paranormal Society – Special Theme GuestTwilight Creations – Gaming Guest of HonorRichard Hatch – Media Guest of HonorCasey Daniels, Shane Moore, Donnie Dunagan – Special GuestsMay 22–24, 2009
Simon R. Green – Author Guest of HonorJordin Kare – Science Guest of HonorPatricia McCracken – Artist Guest of HonorChris Conway – Filk Guest of HonorDavid H. Lawrence XVII – Media Guest of HonorSamuel Travis Clemmons – Full Spectrum Featured Guest [1]Arnold Blumberg – Featured GuestMay 23–25, 2008
Alexander James Adams – Filk Guest of HonorSteven Brust – ToastmasterRebecca Forstadt – Anime Guest of HonorKevin Standlee – Fan Guest of HonorSister Sola/Casandra – Costuming Guest of HonorRay van Tilburg – Artist Guest of HonorToni Weisskopf – Editor Guest of HonorHank 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 HonorMarc Singer – Media Guest of HonorLeah Cairns – Media Guest of HonorMay 25–27, 2007
Keith R.A. DeCandido – Author Guest of HonorLaura Reynolds – Artist Guest of HonorTimothy Zahn – ToastmasterKevin Sorbo – Media Guest of HonorNancy Janda – Fan Guest of HonorThree Weird Sisters – Filk Guests of HonorPierre and Sandy Pettinger – Costuming Guests of HonorLooney Labs – Gaming Guests of HonorMay 26–28, 2006 – approximately 2100 attendees
Guests:
Author Guest: George R. R. MartinArtist Guest: Jody LeeEditor Guest: David G. HartwellMedia Guest: Eugene Roddenberry Jr.Costuming Guest: Chris KramerFan Guest: B. J. MitiasFilk Guest: Dave & Judith HaymanSteve LeeGaming Guest: Pieramyd Productions, Ltd.Electronic Gaming Guest: EB GamesToastmaster: Bill RoperMay 27–29, 2005 approximately 2100 attendees
Tom Smith – Filk Guest of HonorBarry and Sally Childs-Helton – Featured FilkerRichard Hatch - Media Guest of HonorMay 28–30, 2004 – approximately 2000 attendees
Laurell K. Hamilton – Author Guest of HonorCecilia Tan – Adult Fiction Guest of HonorJulie Zetterberg – Costuming Guest of HonorCynthia McQuillin and Dr. Jane Robinson – Filk Guests of HonorMay 23–25, 2003 – approximately 1800 attendees
J. Gregory Keyes – Author Guest of HonorRichard Biggs – Media Guest of HonorEugene Roddenberry Jr. – Media Guest of HonorKenny Baker – Media Guest of HonorBill and Brenda Sutton – Filk Guests of HonorJudith and Dave Hayman – Featured FilkersMay 24–26, 2002 – approximately 2000 attendees
Catherine Asaro – Science Guest of HonorZander Nyrond – Filk Guest of HonorMay 25–27, 2001 – approximately 3600 attendees
Hosted 2001 Prometheus Award presentations and LFSConBob and Ann Passavoy – Filk Guests of HonorKaren Anderson – Featured Filker2000 – Approximately 2400 attendees
Steve MacDonald – Filk Guest of Honor1999 – Approximately 2800 attendees
Syntax – Filk Guest of Honor1998 – Approximately 2200 attendees
Ookla the Mok (band) – Filk Guest of HonorMay 9–11, 1997 – approximately 2800 attendees
Harry Turtledove – Author Guest of HonorJuanita Coulson – Filk Guest of Honor1996
Joey Shoji – Filk Guest of Honor1995
Kathy Mar – Filk Guest of HonorMany of the cast of Babylon 5 and J. Michael Straczynski1994
Philip Jose Farmer – Science Fiction Guest of HonorBarbara Hambly – Fantasy Guest of HonorBoris Vallejo – Artist Guest of HonorForry J Ackerman – Media Guest of HonorDr. Jane Robinson – Filk Guest of HonorDavid Ivey – Costuming Guest of HonorBarry B. Longyear – Toastmaster1993
Michael Longcor – Filk Guest of HonorTom Smith – ToastmasterDenny O'Neil – Comic Book Guest of HonorMike Resnick – Author Guest of HonorJulius Schwartz – Super Guest of HonorRay Van Tiberg – Artist Guest of HonorAnimal X – Special Contuming GuestJane Yolen – Author Guest of HonorMay 22–25, 1992
Roger Zelazny – Author Guest of HonorOrson Scott Card – Author Guest of HonorBill and Brenda Sutton – ToastmastersLois McMaster Bujold – Special Featured Guest of HonorRandy Asplund-Faith – Artist Guest of HonorSue & Steve Francis – Fan Guests of HonorRichard Tucholka – Gaming Guest of Honor1991
C. J. Cherryh – Author Guest of HonorJuanita Coulson – Filk Guest of HonorLois McMaster Bujold – Author Guest of HonorRowena Morrill – Artist Guest of Honor"Moonwulf" Michael Longcor – ToastmasterRichard Spelman – Fan Guest of Honor1990
George R. R. Martin – Author Guest of HonorMelinda Snodgrass – Author Guest of HonorGahan Wilson – Artist Guest of HonorMurray Porath – Filk Guest of HonorChris Claremont – Special Comic Book Guest of HonorEdward Bryant – Featured GuestJohn J. Miller – Featured GuestStephen Leigh – Featured GuestWalter Jon Williams – Featured GuestHoward Waldrop – Featured GuestWalton Simons – Featured GuestLois McMaster Bujold – Featured Guest1989 – 1244 attendees
Hal Clement – Guest of HonorTodd Cameron Hamilton – Artist Guest of HonorBarry and Sally Childs-Helton – Filking Guests of HonorSteve Jackson – Gaming Guest of Honor1988 – 1050 attendees
David Brin – Guest of HonorMichael Whelan – Artist Guest of HonorBill Sutton – ToastmasterKevin Siembieda – Gaming Guest of Honor1987 – 960 attendees
Michael P. Kube-McDowell – Guest of HonorDavid Mattingly – Artist Guest of HonorJuanita Coulson – ToastmasterKevin Siembieda – Gaming Guest of HonorTom Savini – Media Guest of HonorBill Roper – Fan Guest of Honor1986 – 1056 attendees
Roger Zelazny – Guest of HonorKelly Freas – Artist Guest of HonorAndrew J. Offutt – ToastmasterBill Maraschiello – Con Musician1985 – 723 attendees
Larry Niven – Guest of HonorCarl Lundgren -Artist Guest of HonorBill Maraschiello – Con Musician1984 – 592 attendees
C. J. Cherryh – Guest of HonorTodd Cameron Hamilton – Artist Guest of Honor1983 – 440 attendees
James P. Hogan – Guest of Honor1982 – 379 attendees
Hal Clement – Guest of HonorJuanita Coulson – ToastmasterBuck Coulson – Fan Guest of Honor1981 – 426 attendees
Andrew J. Offutt – Guest of Honor1980 – 383 attendees
L. Sprague de Camp – Guest of HonorCatherine Crook de Camp – Toastmaster1979 – 372 attendees
Katherine Kurtz – Guest of HonorWilson (Bob) Tucker – Toastmaster1978 – 264 attendees
A. Bertram Chandler – Guest of Honor1977 – 222 attendees
Alan Dean Foster – Guest of Honor1976 – 212 attendees
Joe Haldeman – Guest of Honor1975 – Approximately 185 attendees
James E. Gunn – Guest of Honor1974 – Approximately 170 attendees
Hal Clement – Guest of HonorAndrew J. Offutt – Toastmaster1973 – Approximately 100 attendees
Anne McCaffrey – Guest of Honor1972 – Approximately 150 attendees
Roger Zelazny – Guest of Honor1971 – Approximately 120 attendees
Lester del Rey – Guest of Honor1970 – Approximately 105 attendees
Gordon R. Dickson – Guest of Honor1969 – Approximately 100 attendees
Terry Carr – Guest of Honor1968 (First time in Columbus) – Approximately 85 attendees
Frederik Pohl – Guest of Honor1967 (Toledo) – Approximately 60 attendees
1966 (Toledo) – Approximately 20 attendees
Roger Zelazny – Unofficial Guest of Honor
