ApolloCon facts for kids

ApolloCon was a fun event held every year in Houston, Texas. It was a special gathering for people who love science fiction, fantasy, and even a bit of horror. Think of it like a big festival for fans of amazing stories, movies, and games!

It was organized by a group called the Houston Science Fiction Association. They are a non-profit group, which means they don't make money from it. They just wanted to share their love for these cool genres.

What Happened at ApolloCon?

ApolloCon had lots of exciting things to do! You could join in on discussions about books, movies, and TV shows. They also talked about science and culture, especially about space exploration and astronomy. People who work in space science in Houston often came to share their knowledge.

Fun Activities and Guests

Besides discussions, ApolloCon had a big hall where you could buy books and cool stuff. There was also an art show where you could see amazing artwork and even bid on it.

If you liked games, there was plenty of gaming and LARP (Live Action Role-Playing). You could also listen to filk music, which is a special kind of folk music often about science fiction. There were video showings and a masquerade, which is a costume contest where people dress up as their favorite characters.

Many interesting people came to ApolloCon. These included famous writers, artists, scientists, musicians, and even actors. They were all fans of science fiction, fantasy, and horror, just like the people attending.

ApolloCon Through the Years

ApolloCon happened every June from 2004 onwards. Each year, special guests were invited. These guests were often well-known writers, artists, or people from the science fiction community.

Guests of Honor

• 2004 (June 25–26)
  • Guests included writer Selina Rosen and artist Cat Osborne.
• 2005 (June 24–26)
  • The main guest was writer Robert J. Sawyer.
• 2006 (June 23–25)
  • Writer Peter S. Beagle and artist Alain Viesca were among the guests.
• 2007 (June 22–24)
  • Guests included writer C.S. Friedman and editor David G. Hartwell.
• 2008 (June 27–29)
  • Writer Allen Steele and artist Brad Foster were featured guests.
• 2009 (June 26–28)
  • Writer Wil McCarthy and artist Pat Rawlings attended.
  • Astronaut Stanley G. Love was also a special guest.
• 2010 (June 25–27)
  • Writer Catherine Asaro and artist Keith Thompson were guests.
• 2011 (June 24–26)
  • Writer Martha Wells and editor Ann VanderMeer were among the guests.
• 2012 (June 22–24)
  • The main guest was writer Tanya Huff.

Being Part of the Community

ApolloCon was a place where local fan groups came together. People often said, "We are them and they are us." This meant that the fans and the people running the convention were all part of the same big community.

Many groups participated in ApolloCon, sharing their hobbies and interests. Some of these groups included:

• Houston Costume Group (for people who love making costumes)
• Houston Sci-Fi Video (for fans of science fiction movies and shows)
• Houston SF & Fantasy Writers (for aspiring writers)
• The 501st Legion (a group that creates movie-accurate Star Wars costumes for charity)
• Star Trek Houston and Starbase Houston (for Star Trek fans)

These groups helped make ApolloCon a lively and welcoming place for everyone who loved science fiction and fantasy.

See also

In Spanish: ApolloCon para niños