Farpoint Convention
Farpoint Convention | |
---|---|
Farp, Farpoint Convention's mascot | |
Status | Active |
Genre | Science Fiction, Pop Culture |
Venue | North Baltimore Plaza |
Location(s) | Timonium, MD |
Country | United States |
Inaugurated | October 8th, 1993 |
Organized by | Sharon Van Blarcom and Sandy Zier-Teitler |
Filing status | Not for profit |
Website | |
farpointcon |
[1]Farpoint is an American science-fiction convention held since 1993 in Hunt Valley, Maryland.[2] The convention is fan-run, differentiating it from larger, profit-making ventures. Typical programming includes panel discussions, a competitive masquerade, fan videos, an art show, filking[3] and celebrity guest appearances. It is a successor convention to ClipperCon [4](1984-1989) and OktoberTrek (1990-1992). The most recent Farpoint was held on February 12-14, 2016.
Locations and Dates
Dates | Location | Attendance* | Notable Guests | |
---|---|---|---|---|
October 8–10, 1993 | Marriott's Hunt Valley Inn | 1,300 | John DeLancie, June Lockhart, William Campbell | |
October 7–9, 1994 | Marriott's Hunt Valley Inn | 1,300 | George Takei, Jonathan Brandis, Nana Visitor | |
October 6–8, 1995 | Marriott's Hunt Valley Inn | 1,200 | Robert Picardo, John Fiedler | |
October 5–7, 1996 | Marriott's Hunt Valley Inn | 1,100 | Michael Ansara, Tim Russ, Mark Goddard | |
October 4–6, 1997 | Marriott's Hunt Valley Inn | 1,500 | Jonathan Frakes, Mira Furlan | |
November 1998 | Omni in Baltimore | 460 | Stephen Furst, Robert O'Reilly | |
October 8–10, 1999 | Marriott's Hunt Valley Inn | TBD | Peter Jurasik, James Darren, Robert Colbert, Mary Kay Adams | |
October 2000 | Marriott's Hunt Valley Inn | TBD | Andreas Katsulas, Mary Kay Adams | |
2001** | N/A | N/A | N/A | |
February 15–17, 2002 | Marriott's Hunt Valley Inn | 876 | George Takei, Robin Curtis, Philip Anglim | |
February 14–16, 2003 | Marriott's Hunt Valley Inn | 572 | Armin Shimerman, Gil Gerard, Erin Gray | |
February 13–15, 2004 | Marriott's Hunt Valley Inn | 722 | Tim Russ, Bill Mumy, Andrew Robinson[5] | |
February 11–13, 2005 | Marriott's Hunt Valley Inn | 737 | Jeffrey Combs, Wayne Pygram, Tony Amendola | |
February 17–19, 2006 | Marriott's Hunt Valley Inn | 708 | Harve Bennett, Penny Johnson Jerald, Jack Stauffer | |
February 16–18, 2007 | Marriott's Hunt Valley Inn | 758 | Ron Glass, Harve Bennett, Richard Hatch | |
February 15–17, 2008[6] | Marriott's Hunt Valley Inn | 774 | James Callis, Erin Gray, Marina Sirtis | |
February 13–15, 2009 | Crowne Plaza Baltimore North | 799 | Alan Tudyk, Philip Weyland, Harve Bennett | |
![]() Bonita Friedericy taking a picture with three attendees of Farpoint |
February 12–14, 2010 | Crowne Plaza Baltimore North | 744 | Felicia Day, Lee Arenberg, Sam Witwer, Mira Furlan[7] |
February 18–20, 2011 | Crowne Plaza Baltimore North[8] | 739 | Laurie Holden,[9] Tahmoh Penikett, Bonita Friedericy | |
February 17–19, 2012 | Crowne Plaza Baltimore North | 761 | Michael Hogan, Kristin Bauer, Kate Vernon[10] | |
February 15–17, 2013 [11] | Crowne Plaza Baltimore North | 792 | John Billingsley, Felicia Day, Lee Arenberg, Bonita Friedericy | |
February 14–16, 2014 | North Baltimore Plaza Hotel | TBA | Alan Dean Foster, Phil LaMarr, Melissa McBride | |
February 13-15, 2015 | North Baltimore Plaza Hotel | TBD | Timothy Zahn, Tim Russ, Colin Ferguson |
*Attendance does not include dealers and guest numbers
**Convention was not held
History
![](../I/m/Farpoint_Cover_1993.jpeg)
Since 2009, Farpoint has been held in the Crowne Plaza of Baltimore North, The hotel has changed ownership and is now the Radisson Hotel North Baltimore. From 1993 to 1997 the convention was held in the Hunt Valley Inn. In 1998 the convention was held in the Baltimore Omni. After 1998, the convention went back to the Hunt Valley Inn until 2008. Farpoint was created by Beverly Ott Volker in early 1993. This convention was successor to other Beverly Volker creations such as Clippercon and Oktobertrek. The convention started in October 1993, which had over 1,300 attendees. The convention continued in October until October 2000 when the committee decided to move the convention to February. This decision caused there to be no 2001 convention because it would only be a four-month span without the convention. The date change coincided with the committee decision to feature fan interests prominently alongside the celebrity guests. Farpoint programming was moved into individual tracks that focus on fans' many interests: Authors/Writing, Science, New Media (fan-created podcasting/film/webcomics), Media (movies and television), Live Performances (theater/music/comedy), Costuming(Masquerade) and Youth/Children. In 2003, the convention was nicknamed "SnowPoint" because the guests, attendees, and committee found themselves locked in the Hunt Valley Inn due to a massive amount of snow. This was also Beverly Volker's last convention, as she died the May of that year. Due to rising prices, in 2009, Farpoint moved to the then Crowne Plaza of Baltimore North, currently named the Radisson Hotel North Baltimore.
References
- ↑ Jaxton, Paullete (February 18, 2008). "Farpoint Con 2008". Retrieved September 9, 2014.
- ↑ SciFi Diner Podcast Ep. 161 – 20 Years of Farpoint; World of Warcraft Crafts Better Employees; The Most Influential Science Fiction Movies; and More.
- ↑ Erik Davis, "True Believers", TV Guide's Star Trek Four Generations, Spring, 1995
- ↑ G, Jamie (October 31, 2012). "'Star Trek, U.N.C.L.E., Lansing and MI-O8'". Daily kos. Retrieved June 18, 2013.
- ↑ Sclafani, Tony (February 12, 2004). "'Out of Town'". Explore Howard. Retrieved June 17, 2013.
- ↑ Jaxton, Paulette (February 18, 2008). "'Farpoint Con 2008'". Paulettejaxton.com. Retrieved September 7, 2014.
- ↑ SHERPA, NERD (February 28, 2011). "'Farpoint 2011 Convention Report – You Should Have Been There'". The Convention Fans Blog. Retrieved June 18, 2013.
- ↑ Gunts, Edward (February 20, 2011). "'Star Trek,' sci-fi fans gather for 'Farpoint' in Timonium". The Baltimore Sun. Retrieved June 1, 2013.
- ↑ Koo, Carolyn (February 25, 2011). "'The Walking Dead One of Cable's Biggest Hits; Kirkman Talks Season 2'". AMCTV Blog. Retrieved June 17, 2013.
- ↑ Vinograd, Nellie (February 22, 2012). "'Farpoint sci-fi convention is far out'". The Black & White. Retrieved June 18, 2013.
- ↑ Belt, David (February 18, 2013). "'Farpoint 2013 - Smaller Can Be Better'". Darkcargo. Retrieved October 6, 2013.
External links
- Farpoint Convention Official Website
- Farpoint Convention on Facebook
- Farpoint Con on Twitter
- Farpoint Convention on Google+
- Farpoint Convention on Fanlore