MileHiCon facts for kids

MileHiCon is a super fun yearly event for fans of science fiction and fantasy! It happens every October in Denver, Colorado. Imagine a big gathering where you can meet authors, artists, and other people who love amazing stories about space, magic, and adventure.

MileHiCon is mostly about books and stories. But it's also packed with cool activities! You can check out an art show with incredible fantasy and sci-fi art. There's a vendors' room where you can find unique treasures. You can even watch or join in robot battles called the Critter Crunch and the Critter Float-illa, which are like mini-Robot Wars in a pool!

The convention also has a video room, an anime room, and a fun costume contest called a masquerade. You can play games, join a bat'leth tournament (from Star Trek!), and learn about science, writing, and media. There's even a special track of kid-friendly, interactive programs. Plus, it hosts the Avistrum Academy of Sorcery, which is like a magic school! MileHiCon is run by a group called MileHiCon, Inc., and they donate money each year to local programs that help people learn to read.

The Story of MileHiCon

How MileHiCon Started

MileHiCon began with a group called the Denver Area Science Fiction Association (DASFA). In September 1969, some DASFA members talked about a big science fiction convention they had just attended. They decided it would be cool to have their own small convention.

At first, they planned an "SF Mini-Convention" for their next meeting. But some things didn't quite work out, so they had to postpone it until November.

Finding the Perfect Name

The first event was called "Minicon." It was held in the basement of a bank where DASFA used to meet. Soon, they found out that another convention in Minneapolis was already using the name "Minicon." So, DASFA needed a new name!

They decided to call it "Octocon" because it would usually be held in October. But after a couple of years, they discovered there was already a convention in Ireland called Octocon! So, once again, they had to change the name.

They had two final ideas for the new name:

• "MileHiCon": This name plays on Denver being known as "the Mile-High City." It was also unlikely to be used by another convention.
• "LungfishGranolaCon": This was a funny name based on an old inside joke from DASFA.

After a very close vote, "MileHiCon" was chosen! It was a perfect fit for a convention in Denver.

MileHiCon Today

Around 1980, MileHiCon became its own separate organization. It's still connected to DASFA, but it runs its own show. For many years now, about a thousand people attend MileHiCon each year, making it a big and exciting event for fans of all ages!

MileHiCon happens every year and features amazing authors, artists, and other special guests from the world of science fiction and fantasy. For example, MileHiCon 51 was scheduled for October 18-20, 2019. It was set to include authors Angela Roquet and Marie Brennan, with artist Elizabeth Leggett, and author Carol Berg as the toastmaster.