Baycon (Worldcons)

You may be looking for BayCon (series of California cons), which began in 1982 and have run every year since.
Baycon was the Worldcon for 1968. The 26th World Science Fiction Convention (aka Baycon) was held on 29 August–2 September 1968 at the Claremont Hotel in Berkeley, California. It had combined with the West Coast Science Fantasy Conference, Westercon and shared guests of honor and chairs. The chairs were Bill Donaho, Alva Rogers, and J. Ben Stark.
The Guests of Honor were:
* Philip José Farmer (pro)
* Walter J. Daugherty (fan)
* Robert Silverberg (toastmaster)
* Takumi Shibano (Special Guest)
An estimated 1.430 people attended the convention, including Ray Bradbury, Harlan Ellison, Jack Williamson, Edmond Hamilton, Forrest J Ackerman, Anne Mccaffrey, Leigh Brackett and Lin Carter. The convention coincided with various protests at the nearby Berkeley University; in the words of an attendee: "It is interesting that Baycon attendees were watching simulated armed combat in the Medieval Tourneys here while actual violence was happening a few miles away near the Berkeley campus. Attendees who stayed at two downtown Berkeley hotels were exposed to tear gas dispersed by police to quell protesters.""Berkeley Sci-fi convention in 1968, comics & pulps", by jpepx78 @CGC Chat Boards (May 18/20) (via Wayback May 26/24)
=== Activities ===
==== Panels ====
Among the panels held were:
* "Remembrance of Things Past: HP Lovecraft and the pulps" panel: moderator: Alva Rogers, Baycon co-chair. Guests: Robert Bloch, Edmond Hamilton, Fritz Leiber, Emil Petaja, E. Hoffman Price & Jack Williamson.
* "Comics panels with Marv Wolfman and Harry Harrison": moderator: Paul Moslander. Guests: Marv Wolfman & Harry Harrison (no shows: Mike Friederich, Ted White)
==== Other Activities"Chapter Eight - worldcons of the 1960s [working title]" by Richard Lynch (via Wayback Feb 6/23) ====
SCA Demonstrations: Several events were organised by the local Society for Creative Anachronism, including a demonstration of combat with Randy Garrett and Poul Anderson versus John W. Campbell and Paul Zimmer (brother of Marion Zimmer Bradley) and a compatriot. They also staged a Medieval Fashion Show of all types of garb and a revel including medieval food, music, and dance.
The Most Noble and Illustrious Order of St. Fantony, an order of fannish knighthood, initiated Forrest Ackerman into their order as an indication of their appreciation for his contribution to fandom.
Music: The con committee had claimed in a progress report that they were going to try to book Joan Baez, to perform, but when the time came to ask her, they had second thoughts. Instead, there were three otherwise obscure rock music groups booked, one going by a name appropriate for the occasion: "H. P. Lovecraft".
Con Skit and Readings: There was a fan production at the convention: a performance of "H.M.S. Trek-a-Star", what a STAR TREK episode might have been if it had been scripted by Gilbert & Sullivan. There was also a light show to accompany readings by Harlan Ellison and Fritz Leiber.
Art Show: The art show awards were dominated by Tim Kirk, George Barr, Cathy Hill, and Gordon Monson, who between them won 15 of the 20 prizes.
Costume Contest: Included Lin Carter as Elric of Melnibone
Dealer's Tables
WSFS Business Meeting: This included a number of changes to the Worldcon rulesThe Legal Rules #1, fanzine by Jeffrey William Lapidus, via Fanac.org:
* Addition of novella, fan writer and fan artist to the Hugo categories.
* Selection of Consites would be two years in advance.
* A $2.00 fee would be charged for Consite voting rights. 
* The Rules would be published in a format all members could access.
* The Society would adopt a five-year plan, rather than the previous four for international bids.
=== Awards ===
==== Hugo Awards ====
* Best Novel: Lord of Light by Roger Zelazny
* Best Novella:
** "Weyr Search" by Anne McCaffrey and
** "Riders of the Purple Wage" by Philip José Farmer (tie)
* Best Novelette: "Gonna Roll Them Bones" by Fritz Leiber
* Best Short Story: "I Have No Mouth, and I Must Scream" by Harlan Ellison
* Best Dramatic Presentation: "The City on the Edge of Forever" (Star Trek episode, original script by Harlan Ellison)
* Best Professional Artist: Jack Gaughan
* Best Professional Magazine: if
* Best Fanzine: Amra, edited by George Scithers
* Best Fan Artist: George Barr
* Best Fan Writer: Ted White
==== Other Awards ====
* Special Award: Harlan Ellison for Dangerous Visions
* Special Award: Gene Roddenberry for Star Trek
* First Fandom Award: Jack Williamson (presented by Edmond Hamilton)
* The Big Heart Award: Walt Daugherty (founder of the award)
* The Invisible Little Man Award: J. Francis McComas (presented by the Little Men fan club)
* Toastmaster Robert Silverberg was presented an attache case by members of the Science Fiction Writers of America in recognition of his service to that organization.
===1968 Con Reports ===
== External Links ==
* Baycon at Fanac.org - includes photos, audio and various other documents.
* "Berkeley Sci-fi convention in 1968, comics & pulps", by jpepx78 @CGC Chat Boards (May 18/20) (via Wayback May 26/24) - includes photos and audio.
==References==
Category: 1968 Conventions
Category:Science Fiction Conventions
Category:Worldcons
Category:Conventions in United States