Star Con Denver

:For similar cons, see Starcon.
Star Con (often "Starcon") and Star Fest ("Star Trek and Media-Oriented Science Fiction Convention") was a series of Star Trek conventions.
It is an annual pop culture and science fiction convention held in Denver, Colorado, United States. It is one of the longest running fan conventions in the United States and as of 2014, one of the few events of this kind still run by fans rather than large companies. The 40th Anniversary of the convention took place in April 2017.
Kevin Atkins has acted as Master of Ceremonies since the beginning.
==Title and Date Split==
In later years, it had the title "Star Fest" (often "Starfest"), which was in the Spring, and Star Con Denver which was in the Fall. In 2002, when the two cons were combined and stuck with the name "Star Fest."
This split and then recombine was due to membership numbers and hotel space. From a June 1985 fan's letter in Star Con Newsletter: 
==About==
It was organized by KathE Donnelly, her sister Karolyn and a group of friends. Kathe had attended several fan conventions in New York and liked them so much that she decided to organize a similar event in Denver.from
==Star Con Newsletter==
This con had a newsletter called "Star Con Newsletter." It is unknown what the dates of its print run was.
See Star Con Newsletter.
==Star Con (Spring 1977)==
Star Con Denver 1977 was held on May 7–8, 1977 at the Denver Regency Hotel.
==Star Con (Spring 1978)==
Star Con Denver 1978 was held in Denver at the Regency Inn May 27–28, 1978.
The con chairs were Jim Donnelly, KathE Donnelly, Flo Dubowitz, Phil Dubowitz, and Karolyn Popovich.
The skit of the con was Stark Wars, a parody of Star Wars, and was included in the zine The Plays of Star Con Denver.
The program book contains 20 pages. It contains scheduling, short bios, film descriptions, and a Star Trek illo, and a Star Wars illo.
The guests of honor:
* Jonathan Harris (Lost in Space)
* George Takei (Star Trek)
* Bruce Hyde (Star Trek)
* Michael Goodwin
* Jean Lorrah
* Kevin Atkins (Master of Ceremony)
* Carrie Brennan & Judith Brownlee (Society for Creative Anachronism)
* John Davis (special effects guy)
* at least one fan mentions Susan Sackett being a guest "Though of course, some of the big names are not as big as they think they are. Susan Sackett was a guest at the first StarCon Denver, and even today is known solely as Sue Suckit. This mostly to certain staff members who were unfortunate enough to have to deal with her foul-mouth temper tantrums and general wretched manners. By the way, I'm sure it sounds like between [C] and I have it in for m most of the upper echelon of fandom. Not so. [C] is too nice to have enemies. I'm the one who shoots my mouth off both in public and private. (Though I do try to be tactful and polite in person)." -- by Susan Crites in a January 1979 apa trib 
File:star con Denver 1978-1.jpg|from the 1978 program book, schedule
File:star con Denver 1978-2.jpg|from the 1978 program book, schedule
File:star con Denver 1978-3.jpg|from the 1978 program book, play roster
File:star con Denver 1978-4.jpg|from the 1978 program book, uncredited illo
File:star con Denver 1978-5.jpg|from the 1978 program book, uncredited illo
==Star Con (Fall 1979)==
It was held September 1–2, 1979 at the Stouffers Inn.
It was chaired by Jim Donnelly, KathE Donnelly, and Karolyn Popovich.
The program book was 24 pages long.
The skit was Battlestar Galaxative , and it was later printed in a standalone zine and in "The Plays of Star Con Denver".
There was much Radio Program (old science fiction and horror) programming.
Two clubs showcased:
* The Denver Dracula Society
* L-5 Society
Guests:
* James Doohan (Star Trek)
* David Prowse (Star Wars)
* John Colicos (Battlestar Galactica)
* Kevin Atkins (Master of Ceremonies)
* Stephen Goldin
* Kathleen Sky
* Michael C. Goodwin
* John Davis
* Michael Thornton
* Craig Anderson
File:star con 1979-1.jpg|from the program book
File:star con 1979-2.jpg|from the program book
File:star con 1979-3.jpg|from the program book
File:star con 1979-4.jpg|from the program book
File:star con 1979-5.jpg|from the program book
File:star con 1979-6.jpg|from the program book
File:star con 1979-7.jpg|from the program book
File:star con 1979-8.jpg|from the program book
File:star con 1979-9.jpg|from the program book
File:star con 1979-10.jpg|from the program book
===Con Report: (Fall 1979)===
==Star Con (Fall 1980)==
Star Con Denver 1980 was held in Denver at Stouffer's Inn on August 30 and 31. Confirmed guests were Bjo Trimble, Mark Lenard, Kerry O'Quinn and Walter Koenig. One play was a parody of ST-TMP ("Star Trek: Where Nomad Has Gone Before") that was included in The Plays of Star Con Denver.
===Con Report: Star Con (Fall 1980)===
==Star Con (Fall 1981)==
==Star Con (Fall 1982)==
Star Con 1982 was held Sept 18-19, 1982 at the Stouffer's Denver Inn.
One flyer lists these plays: 
Another flyer lists these plays: 
Guests of Honor were:
* Nichelle Nichols
* John Nathan Turner (producer and director of Doctor Who)
* Michael C. Goodwin (science fiction artists and cartoonist)
* Lynne Anne Goodwin (fantasy artist)
* Reuben and Sherry Fox (sound effects and art show directors)
* Kevin Atkins was the Master of Ceremonies
==Star Con (Fall 1983)==
.
Star Con 1983 was held on Sept 3-4, 1983 at the Stouffer's Denver inn.
==Star Con (Fall 1984)==
==Star Con (Fall 1985)==
This Star Con was held September 7-8, 1985 at the Airport Clarion Hotel. 
It was the ninth con. 
This was the year that the con split into two dates due to size and hotel challenges.
Guests: Robin Curtis and Robert Englund.
Master of Ceremonies was Kevin Atkins.
Programming:
* Kandy Fong's Star Trek Comedy Slide Shows: "Come and enjoy Kandy's Star Trek Slides mixed with music and narration."
* Reuben and Sherri Fox: "a couple of real Artsy folks!"
* Michael and Lynne Anne Goodwin, artists and editors of The Starry Night
* costume contest
* art show
* dealers room
* fan panel
* model building contest
* Star Con Denver Slide Show (with slides from past conventions)
* autograph sessions
* poetry and story contests
* The Star Con Denver Play
* Hit or Miss, the con's version of Puttin' on the Hits
* films and episodes
==Star Fest (Spring 1986)==
==Star Fest (Spring 1986)==
File:starfest86.jpg|cover of the Star Fest 1986 program book
==Star Con (Fall 1986)==
Star Con Denver 1986 was held in Denver.
Guests were Mark Lenard, Walter Koenig, Terry "The Silver Fox" Erdmann, David McDonnell (Starlog), Eddie Egan, Fidel Run (NASA).
This con had a "Computer BBS Forum. A round table discussion hosted by Jay Melnick, sysop of the Colo Snow Bank BBS. Topics will include current trends in information transferal, ethics and the legal ramifications of running your own Computer bulletin board." There was also a surprise birthday party for Walter Koenig, a trivia contest, and a costume contest.
Koenig's zine, It Ain't the Lollipop!, was sold at this con.
The program book (16 pages) had many humorous articles, three poems and two short stories (winners of a contest).
From KathE Donnelly: 
File:starcon1986-1.jpg|from the program book, the con com
File:starcon1986-2.jpg|from the program book
File:starcon1986-3.jpg|from the program book
File:starcon1986-4.jpg|from the program book
==Star Fest (Spring 1987)==
March 28-29
Leonard Nimoy was a guest of honor, as was Jonathan Harris.
File:starfest87.jpg|cover of Star Fest 1987 program book
 Image:starfesthighlights.jpg|an ad and description in Starland News (summer 1987) for "Starfest '87 Highlights" - of a VHS tape for purchase
===Con Report: Star Fest (Spring 1987) ===
==Star Con (Fall 1987)==
September 26-27, 1987 at the Regency Hotel in Denver
Confirmed guests:
* NICHELLE NICHOLS (Uhura of Star Trek)
* DAVE MCDONNELL (editor of Starlog) 
* TERRY ERDMANN (MGM Studios)
* RICHARD ARNOLD (Paramount Pictures)
* JEFF WALKER (Warner Bros.) 
Invited guests:
* MATT FREWER E. (Carter/Max Headroom) 
* PAUL DARROW (Avon of Blake’s 7) (a transcript of Darrow's speech is in Tarriel Cell #1) 
* PETER WELLER (Buckaroo Banzai)
Image:Star Con Fall 1987 flyer.jpg|flyer for Fall 1987
==Star Fest (Spring 1988)==
March 26–27, 1988
File:starland1988winterspring-1.jpg|front of winter/spring 1988 flyer
File:starland1988winterspring-2.jpg|back of winter/spring 1988 flyer
===Con Report: Star Fest (1988)===
==Star Con (Fall 1988)==
September 23–25, 1988. It was the 12th Star Con.
Guests of honor were Michael Dorn, George Takei, and Roy Dotrice. Also sceheduled were Dave McDonnell - Editor of STARLOG and Terry Erdmann - Publicist for Star Trek V.
Some events: 
File:starconfall1988-2.jpg|first page of a flyer
File:starconfall1988-1.jpg|second page of a flyer
===Con Report: Star Con (Fall 1988)===
==Star Fest (Spring 1989)==
March 31-April 2, Denver
===Con Report: Star Fest (Spring 1989) ===
== Star Fest (Spring 1990)==
===Con Report: Star Fest 1989===
There is a detailed report of a fans having brunch with Dean Stockwell in The Imaging Chamber #3 (April 1990). 
==Star Con (Fall 1989)==
September 29-October.
Richard Chavez (Ironhorse from War of the Worlds) was a planned guest.
William Shatner presented his directorial debut, Star Trek V: The Final Frontier, at this convention.
===Con Report: Star Con (Fall 1988)===
==Star Con (Fall 1990)==
Star Con Denver 1990 was held September 28-30. 
Mark Lenard and Walter Koenig repeated their non-Trek play "The Boys In Autumn."
==Star Con (Fall 1991)==
Star Con Denver 1991 was held September 27, 28, 29.
==Star Con (Fall 1993)==
Star Con 1993 was held September 24, 25, 26.
==Star Con (Spring 1994)==
February 25-27, 1994.
Tom Cruise came to the convention to help promote his upcoming movie Interview with the Vampire.
===Con Report: Star Con (Spring 1994) ===
==Star Con (Spring 2000) ==
In 2000, John Travolta was a guest of honor and brought clips and insight from his upcoming movie Battlefield Earth.
==Star Con (Spring 2001)==
==Star Con 2002 (the two cons converge) ==
==Star Fest 2003==
==Star Fest 2004==
==Star Fest 2005==
==Star Fest 2006==
==Star Fest 2007==
Leonard Nimoy was a guest.
==Star Fest 2008==
Zachary Quinto was a guest. Then starring as 'Sylar' on Heroes, he would later be the new 'Mr. Spock' in the Star Trek movie that was released a year later. Also appearing was Nichelle Nichols.
==Star Fest 2009==
Brent Spiner and Katee Sackhoff were guests of honor, and William Katt from The Greatest American Hero was a surprise guest.
Comicfest was also part of this con.
==Star Fest 2010==
"Starfest paid tribute to the movie 2001: A Space Odyssey by hosting one of the original stars Gary Lockwood. Actress Summer Glau made a rare convention appearance as did Stargate SG1 star Christopher Judge. Star Trek's Marina Sirtis, Garrett Wang and Star Wars Admiral Ackbar (Tim Rose) were also on hand. Attendees also enjoyed a live performance by the Castle Rock Orchestra." Starfest
==Star Fest 2011==
"Starfest welcomed actress Morena Baccarin, who plays the Supreme Commander of the TV series "V" and Firefly. Actor Mark Sheppard appeared as well playing recurring characters in Doctor Who, Supernatural, Leverage, and Dollhouse. LeVar Burton Geordi LaForge from Star Trek: The Next Generation made a first time appearance at the convention, replacing Jonathan Frakes. Other guests included Peter Mayhew, Chewbacca from Star Wars, and Jeffrey Combs from Re-Animator. This year Robotfest celebrated their 5th Anniversary at the convention and brought robots from LOST IN SPACE, STAR WARS and more. Comicfest was back and celebrated its 3rd year with guests including Steve Niles, JT Krul and Amy Reader." Starfest
==Star Fest 2012==
"Starfest hosted Actor and Director Jonathan Frakes who plays Commander Will Riker. Jewel Staite from Firefly and well as David Prowse, Darth Vader from Star Wars were also guests. Probably one of the most unusual guests attending Starfest had to be John Noble, Walter from Fringe and Lord of the Rings. Mr Noble shared many stories from his long and distinguished acting career. Robert O'Reilly and J. G. Hertzler well known Klingons were also in attendance wearing their Klingon uniforms and attitudes for all to enjoy. Having an opportunity to get your picture with a Klingon was definitely a highlight for many attending. Actress Dee Wallace Mother from E.T. rounded out another exciting and fun weekend." Starfest
==Star Fest 2013==
"Starfest 2013 Welcomed actor Avery Brooks, best known for his role as Captain Sisko on Star Trek: Deep Space Nine as well as Actor Ben Browder from Farscape and most recently Stargate. Walking Dead's Melissa McBride became the first Walking Dead guest at StarFest. Deep Roy, whose credits include Charlie and the Chocolate Factory and Flash Gordon was on hand to share stories from his career. Seth Gabel from Fringe was there as was Cirroc Lofton (Captain Sisko's son) from the series. Writer Jeffrey Riddick and artist Mark Grove were also guests. This year Petries Family Games made available lots of Science Fiction board games that were enjoyed by everyone. StarFest keeps growing each year and accommodating Denver Science Fiction fans with a wide variety of guests, activities, panels, dealers, and much more." Starfest
==StarFest 2014==
May 2–4.
Amanda Tapping, Tim Russ, Sam Witwer, Billy Dee Williams, Nichelle Nichols, and Giancarlo Esposito. Also at this con: Dr. WhoFest and GameFest.
==Further Reading==
* The mother of all Colorado cons: StarFest unites diverse cultures by John Wenzel for "The Denver Post" (April 30, 2014)
* StarFest Denver
* Starfest
==References==
Category:Star Trek TOS Conventions
Category:Star Trek Conventions
Category:1977 Conventions
Category:1970s Conventions
Category:1980s Conventions
Category:1990s Conventions
Category:2000s Conventions
Category:2010s Conventions
Category:Conventions in United States