ClipperCon

ClipperCon is a multifandom convention. It ran for six consecutive years, from February 1984 – February 1989. 
The con's highest attendance was 900. 
This con became the con OktoberTrek, which in turn became Farpoint.
One con that moved in to fill in the gap when ClipperCon ended was Fan-Out.
Many of the con program covers were done by Gina Godwin. The first con was chaired by Marion McChesney. Bev Volker did the programming for all six years. 
Voyages is the con zine for this convention.
==The Name of the Con==
The name of the con is a reference to the trope of the starship Enterprise being compared to a tall ship.
==Some Memories==
Nancy Kippax remembers:
==ClipperCon 1 (1984)==
February 17-19, 1984 at Marriott's Hunt Valley Inn.
Guests of honor were Allan Asherman, Nichelle Nichols, Bob Greenberger, and Howard Weinstein. The fan guest of honor was Gail Bennett.
A presentation: 
It was the debut for Omicron Ceti III: 
From the program book, a warning to behave: 
There were appearances by Omicron Ceti III, Boogie Knights, Denebian Slime Devils, Ceti and the Eels, and Roberta Rogow.
Panels and programming:
* Artists: "Everything you need to know about fan illustrating"
* Fan Writers: "How to write for publication in zines."
* Pro Writers; "Should you try to have your story published."
* Technology of Star Trek: "High-tech in Star Trek."
* Anatomy of Wrath of Khan: "Some of the questions answered."
* Star Trek Movies Verses Series: "Effect on fan-fiction, changes in characters."
* Filksinging: "What is it, how to write it, and perform it."
* Sweet Survivors: "Memories from some long-time fans."
* Fandom Out of the States: "What's like in Canada, England, Australia."
* Costuming: "Hints from the experts."
* K/S or K&S: "How important is the difference still."
* Star Trek: Fandom's Homeground: "Why do fans who drift away still keep it as a homeground."
* Why Does Hurt Comfort?: "Violence in fanfic, what comprises h/c, what stories do not satisfy?"
* Alternate Universes in Fan Fiction: "What are they and why the need for them?"
* Blake's Seven: "Discussion of a new fringe fandom."
* Fan Fiction from the Male Point of View: "A few of the minority express their views."
* 1984: "The time has come."
* Zine Publishing: "Everything you need to know about it -- almost."
* Artforms in Fandom: "If you can't draw, or write, you can sew, makes crafts, sculpt;"
* Star Trek III: "Discussion of [Star Trek: The Search for Spock] but no rumors please."
* Jedi Panel: "Discussion of the Star Wars movies."
* Dead Dog Panel: "A chance for con-goers to rap about the con with the committee."
 
=== ClipperCon 1 (1984): Con Reports=== 
==ClipperCon 2 (1985)==
ClipperCon 2 was held July 13-15, 1985. Guests were George Takei, Grace Lee Whitney, Howard Weinstein, and Bob Greenberger.
There was an appearance by Reverend Trekwell and the Temple of Trek Revival.
Image:clippercon2flyer.jpg|flyer for the 1985 con
Image:clippercon2.jpg|front cover of the 1985 program book, the picture of George Takei at the helm of the USS Constellation (Baltimore Maryland) was taken by Geraldine Sylvester
 
 Image:Clippercon2back.jpg|back cover of the 1985 program book, artist is TACS
==ClipperCon 3 (1986)==
1986 was the year the con moved from Hunt Valley to the Sheraton.
 
There was an appearance by Reverend Trekwell and the Temple of Trek Revival.
===ClipperCon 3 (1986): Con Reports===
==ClipperCon 4 (1987)==
February 13-15, 1987
George Takei, Jesco von Puttkamer, Marc Orkand, and William Campbell were guests of honor. 
One panel included Camille Bacon-Smith; among other things, this panel discussed Mary Sues.
There was an appearance by Reverend Trekwell and the Temple of Trek Revival.
The con skit was "Star Trek IV – The Voyage (The Hell) Home" by the Not Ready for Paramount Players.
 
===ClipperCon 4 (1987): Con Reports===
==ClipperCon 5 (1988)==
Clippercon 5 was held March 18-20, 1988 at the Marriott's Hunt Valley Inn, Maryland.
Richard Arnold was in attendance. It was the 100 con he attended. statement from the Sol III program book in 1989 
Other guests were Howard Weinstein ("and his faithful companion, Annie!"), William Campbell, Mark Okrand, Bruce Hyde, and Richard Arnold.
Bob Greenberger and Walter Koenig were scheduled to appear but they cancelled. Dave McDonnell (editor of Starlog) was advertised on a flyer, but it is unknown if he attended.
There was an appearance by Reverend Trekwell and the Temple of Trek Revival.
 
The con skit was "Saturday Afternoon Live" by the Not Ready for Paramount Players.
===ClipperCon 5 (1988) Program Book===
The program book was edited by Steve Wilson. It contains 48 pages. 
The cover is by Bea Quindlen. The Pocket Program is by Renee Volker.
From McChesney, a plug for Star Trek: The Next Generation: 
===ClipperCon 5 (1988) Panels===
* Actor's Fund: "Some information about guest William Campbell's favorite charity, and what certain fans are doing for it."
* Artists' Workshop: "Potential fan artists, bring your "problems," or best work to be critiqued by some of the experts in the field. Experienced artists exchange techniques and tips on materials with each other."
* Writers' Panel: "Four long-term fan writers share their experiences - humorous and harrowing-in this field. Do they write for fun? When does it become work? What do they expect from an editor?"
* Editors' Panel: "Experienced editors critique previously submitted material and discuss some pitfalls of fan writing. A good learning experience for new writers, a chance to share for the seasoned."
* Publishers' Panel: "'So you want to do a zine?' Listen first as four fanzine publishers share their experiences and ideas."
* Costuming Workshop: "What makes a winner? Award-winning costumers will take a look at your efforts and give you hints to help you you shine when you step before the audience and judges."
* Make-up Workshop: "An alien, a monster, a lovable furry creature or a beautiful enchantress - is it really you underneath that face? Make-up experts show you the art of application."
* Filksong Panel: "How to write a filksong from those who do - very successfully."
* A History of Star Trek Fanzines: "From Spockanalia to Whalesong, from mimeo to off-set, from 50₵ to $18.00 - a look at the evolution of zines. Has it all been progress? What has fandom lost or gained over the years?"
* Fans or Fanatics? or Get a Life!: "When does fan involvement cease to be a hobby and become an obsession? Is it a dangerous or healthy outlet? Listen to the panelists theories, then put your two cents in in a rap session on a subject which touches us all."
* The Aunt Clara Syndrome: "We all have Aunt Claras or moms, dads, sisters, children, etc who can't understand our being one of those "silly Trekkies." How do we deal with otherwise caring families and friends who take a dim view of our involvement in fandom?"
* Bonded or Bondage?: "After all these years, are we still trying to decide when K/S goes too far? Apparently so, because panels on the subject always pack the room. Read any good slash zines lately?"
* Chairman's Choice: "'Fringe Fandoms' are popping up all over, so this year we're straying a bit from our "All Trek" policy to present a panel on Chairman McChesney's "other favorite show" - Blake's 7."
* Is Love More Romantic In Space?: "Our feet may be on the ground, but our heads are in the clouds and our hearts in the stars. If out-of-this- world love stories are your fantasies, you're not alone. this panel will discuss why."
* How Do You Feel?: "Good question. Where does the Kirk/Spock relationship stand after Star Trek IV? How will it be the same? How different?"
* The Triad: "Post Whales McCoy was the keeper of Kirk's best friend's Katra. Now that all the shouting is over, how do these friends view what they've been through, and what effect will it have on their future relationship with each other?"
* Role Playing: "The characters of the original series and the movies are portrayed by some of our fan actors, and they want to talk to you."
===ClipperCon 5 (1988) Performances===
* a memorial page for Gina Godwin who had passed away about two weeks previously, includes photo (2)
* From the Crow's Nest by Marion McChesney (2)
* Point/Counterpoint by Beverly Volker and Steven H. Wilson ("Star Trek: The Next Generation. To be or not to be?") (4)
* Ensign What's His Name, Not by Walter Koenig ("Everything you always wanted to know about the actor who plays... oh, you know!") (8)
* And You May Call Me Squire by R. Gigi Porter ("An interview with William Campbell.") (10)
* Anticipation by Howard Weinstein ("Are the Good Old Days over -- or just beginning?") (14)
* What's Up, Dave? by David McDonnell ("Something by the editor of Starlog.") (16)
* The Bob Greenberger Report by Bob Greenberger ("What's up in Comics and other media?") (19)
* Special Photo Section (21)
* Next Generation - Were We Ready for It? by Richard Arnold ("Next Generation as seen by an insider.") (31)
* Up from Eden, reviewed by Bruce Hyde ("The ex-Lieutenant Riley talks about a book (Up from Eden by Ken Wilber) he considers the most important he's read this year.") (32)
* Costume Call Policies (36)
* Art Show Rules (38)
* Recommended Programming (41)
File:Ginagodwinclippercon.jpg|from Marion McChesney in the 1988 program book: "One member of our committee loved Star Trek-in all of its form s, and she lived its ideals. She was best known for her graphics and artwork-in particular her T-shirt and program book designs. This year's T-shirt marks her last. We're sad now as we mourn her passing. Gina Godwin was a good friend, and we'll miss her. She lives now in the starry night that she loved. I'll always think of her when I see the lights in the sky."
Image:clippercon5programbook-1.jpg|from the 1988 program book
Image:clippercon5programbook-2.jpg|from the 1988 program book
Image:clippercon5programbook-4.jpg|from the 1988 program book
Image:clippercon5programbook-5.jpg|from the 1988 program book
Image:clippercon5programbook-6.jpg|from the 1988 program book
Image:clippercon5programbook-7.jpg|from the 1988 program book
 
===ClipperCon 5 (1988): Con Reports === 
==ClipperCon 6 (1989)==
It took place February 1989.
Some guests were George Takei, Howard Weinstein, Bill Campbell, and Bob Greenberger.
 
There was an appearance by Reverend Trekwell and the Temple of Trek Revival.
A skit was 1 "The Red-Shirt Murders" by the Not Ready for Paramount Players.
===ClipperCon 6 (1989): Con Report=== 
==References==
Category:Star Trek Conventions
Category:1984 Conventions
Category:1985 Conventions
Category:1986 Conventions
Category:1987 Conventions
Category:1988 Conventions
Category:1989 ConventionsCategory:Conventions in United States