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.

History

2020s

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: 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:

Marcon 56

September 3–5, 2021, in Crowne Plaza Columbus North in Worthington, Ohio, with

2010s

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.

Marcon 53

May 11–13, 2018, Hyatt Regency Columbus

Marcon 52

May 10–12, 2017, Hyatt Regency Columbus Guests of Honor:

Marcon 51

May 6–8, 2016, Hyatt Regency Columbus

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

Marcon 48

March 29–31, 2013, Hyatt Regency Columbus.

Marcon 47

April 6–8, 2012

Marcon 46

May 27–29, 2011

Marcon 45

May 28–30, 2010

2000s

Marcon 44

May 22–24, 2009

Marcon 43

May 23–25, 2008

Marcon 42

May 25–27, 2007

Marcon 41

May 26–28, 2006 – approximately 2100 attendees Guests:

Marcon 40

May 27–29, 2005 – approximately 2100 attendees

Marcon 39

May 28–30, 2004 – approximately 2000 attendees

Marcon 38

May 23–25, 2003 – approximately 1800 attendees

Marcon 37

May 24–26, 2002 – approximately 2000 attendees

Marcon 36

May 25–27, 2001 – approximately 3600 attendees

Marcon 35

May 26–28, 2000, Hyatt Regency Hotel and Columbus Convention Center, Columbus, Ohio – Approximately 2400 attendees Guest of Honor:

1990s

Marcon 34

Hyatt Regency, Columbus, Ohio, May 7–9, 1999 – Approximately 2800 attendees

Marcon 33

1998 – Approximately 2200 attendees

Marcon 32

May 9–11, 1997 – approximately 2800 attendees

Marcon 31

May 3–5, 1996, Hyatt Regency, Columbus

Marcon 30

May 5–7, 1995. Theme was "Dreams and Memories".

Marcon 29

1994

Marcon 28

1993

Marcon 27

May 22–25, 1992

Marcon 26

1991

Marcon XXV

1990

1980s

Marcon XXIV

1989 – 1244 attendees

Marcon XXIII

1988 – 1050 attendees

Marcon XXII

1987 – 960 attendees

Marcon XXI

1986 – 1056 attendees

Marcon XX

1985 – 723 attendees

Marcon XIX

1984 – 592 attendees

Marcon XVIII

1983 – 440 attendees

Marcon XVII

1982 – 379 attendees

Marcon XVI

1981 – 426 attendees

Marcon XV

1980 – 383 attendees

1970s

Marcon XIV

1979 – 372 attendees

Marcon XIII

1978 – 264 attendees

Marcon XII

1977 – 222 attendees

Marcon XI

1976 – 212 attendees

Marcon X

1975 – Approximately 185 attendees

Marcon IX

1974 – Approximately 170 attendees

Marcon VIII

1973 – Approximately 100 attendees

Marcon VII

1972 – Approximately 150 attendees

Marcon VI

1971 – Approximately 120 attendees

Marcon V

1970 – Approximately 105 attendees

1960s

Marcon IV

1969 – Approximately 100 attendees

Marcon III

1968 (First time in Columbus) – Approximately 85 attendees

Marcon II

1967 (Toledo) – Approximately 60 attendees

Marcon I

1966 (Toledo) – Approximately 20 attendees