Sci-Fi Valley Con facts for kids

Sci-Fi Valley Con is a super fun, three-day event that happens every year in June! It's a big get-together for fans of science fiction, fantasy, comics, and all sorts of cool pop culture. You can find it at the Blair County Convention Center in Altoona, Pennsylvania. This exciting convention used to be known as 'Sci-Fi in the Valley Con'.

What Happens at Sci-Fi Valley Con?

Sci-Fi Valley Con is packed with awesome activities for everyone! Here are some of the cool things you can do:

• Play Games: Dive into board games, role-playing games, and video games. There are even trivia tournaments to test your knowledge!
• Dress Up: Show off your creativity in the costume contest. Many people come dressed as their favorite characters!
• Meet Stars: Listen to guest panels where actors and creators talk about their work. You might even get to meet them!
• Watch Movies: Enjoy a film festival featuring different movies.
• Shop for Treasures: Explore the vendors' area to find comics, toys, art, and other cool stuff.
• Learn New Skills: Take part in workshops to learn how to do something new, like drawing or prop making.
• Help Others: The convention also holds a charity auction. This is a special event where items are sold to raise money for good causes. For example, in 2012, they raised $1200 for a children's foundation. In 2013, they raised almost $1500 for Shriners Hospitals for Children.

The Story of Sci-Fi Valley Con

Sci-Fi Valley Con has moved to a few different places over the years to find the perfect home.

Finding a Home for the Con

The very first Sci-Fi in the Valley Con in 2012 was planned for Johnstown, Pennsylvania. But it had to move to the North Central Recreation Center in Ebensburg, Pennsylvania instead.

In 2013, the convention moved to the Jaffa Shrine in Altoona, Pennsylvania. It started by using just the bottom floor. By 2014, the convention had grown so much that it used both floors of the Jaffa Shrine!

The convention kept growing! In 2015, it moved to the much larger Blair County Convention Center. It started by using half of the building. Then, in 2016, it took over the entire facility! This shows how popular the convention became.

A Pause for the Pandemic

In 2020, the Sci-Fi Valley Con had to change its plans. It was first moved from June to August because of the COVID-19 pandemic. Sadly, it was later cancelled that year to keep everyone safe. But it came back strong in 2021!