Long-running MarsCon returns to Williamsburg

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Attendees stand along the balcony dressed as their favorite characters during the 2016 NekoCon event held at the Hampton Convention Center on Saturday, Nov. 5, 2016.
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Whitney Brundage came to Nekocon 16 as Brotherhood of Steel form the game Fallout at Nekocon at the Hampton Convention Center on Nov. 2, 2013.
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Thousnads of people dressed as their favorite characters walk through the Hampton Roads Convention Center during Saturday's Nekocon 18 November 7, 2015.
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Lonnell Liloy and Sarah Lovick make last-minute adjustments to their costumes during the first day of the NekoCon 15 convention at the Hampton Roads Convention Center on Friday.
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Lisa Martin, right, of Virginia Beach and others practice their computer program dance moves during NekoCon 12.
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Shara Cotton, left, of Fayetteville, NC, and Chelsey Parsons of Radford, NC, wait for a karaoke event during NekoCon 12 at the Hampton Roads Convention Center in Hampton. "Glad to be here!" says Cotton. She also said that she drove four hours with her friend to seek more interesting culture.
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Rob Wilson, dressed as Hawk Man, adjusts his wings after arriving at the Hampton Roads Convention Center for the first day of NekoCon 15 on Friday. Constructing the wings, he said, was a meticulous process¿friend Stacie Hudson bent the frames into shape and dyed each feather individually. Wilson and Hudson drove from Greenville, NC for the convention.
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Kaleigh Burgess (right) dances while playing "Ride that Mustang" with friends during the second day of the NekoCon 15 convention at the Hampton Roads Convention Center on Saturday.
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Three attendees pose on the floor for a photograph during the 2016 NekoCon event held at the Hampton Convention Center on Saturday, Nov. 5, 2016.
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Dressed as a 'Sharknado' Ricky Smith roams the Hampton Convention Center during Nekocon anime convention on Friday, Nov. 3, 2017.
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Philip Odango, center, poses for pictures dressed as Rita Repulsa from Power Rangers during Saturday's Nekocon 18 at the Hampton Roads Convention Center November 7, 2015.
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A crowd photographs characters from the online comic "Homestuck" during the second day of the NekoCon 15 convention at the Hampton Roads Convention Center on Saturday.
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Molly Voth made this costume herself of Pyramid Head from the game Silent Hill. Voth was just one of the many colorful characters affending the anime convention Nekocon 16 at the Hampton Roads Convention Center Saturday November 02, 2013
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Robert Laubach, dressed Mega Absol from Pokemon, poses in the hallways of DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Williamsburg during Saturday's 16th annual MarsCon. The event features panels, workshops, games, demonstrations and art.
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Christina Klein waits for her ride during the second day of the NekoCon 15 convention at the Hampton Roads Convention Center on Saturday.
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Karrie Magnuson twirls a fan in the hall of the Hampton Roads Convention Center during the second day of the NekoCon 15 Convention.
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A girl dressed as a steampunk witch plays with a fake gun during the Nekocon anime convention at the Hampton Convention Center on Friday, Nov. 3, 2017.
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Cristy Newby poses as Queen Amidala from Star Wars during Saturday's Nekocon 18 at the Hampton Roads Convention Center November 7, 2015.
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Colorful costumes from comics and Anime were everywhere at the Hampton Roads Convention Center Friday November 4, 2016 as NekoCon 19 gets underway.
Jonathon Gruenke / Daily Press
Timothy Grabowski lays on the floor after a Orcs LARP battle demonstration at the DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Williamsburg during Saturday's 16th annual MarsCon. The event features panels, workshops, games, demonstrations and art.
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Laura Leighton dressed as Undyne from Undertale rests along the wall during the 2016 NekoCon event held at the Hampton Convention Center on Saturday, Nov. 5, 2016.
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Jeanne "Draco" Christy of Williamsburg came to the anime convention Nekocon 16 Saturday, Nov. 1, 2013 at the Hampton Roads Convention Center. The convention features game, crafts and people dressed as their favorite anime characters.
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From left: Hannah Leckemby dressed as 'Elizabeth Liones' from Seven Deadly Sins waits as Dena Belanger as 'Undertaker' from Black Butler fixes Leckemby's wig during the 2016 NekoCon event held at the Hampton Convention Center on Saturday, Nov. 5, 2016.
Sangjib Min, Daily Press
Participants at NekoCon 12 use an escalator with wearing costumes of their favorite anime characters during the annual anime convention at the Hampton Roads Convention Center in Hampton on Friday, Nov. 6, 2009. Wild costumes are big part of the fun at three-day convention. There are also panel discussions, gaming sessions, workshops, karaoke, film screenings and dances, live concert.
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Nekocon attendees roam the halls of the Hampton Convention Center dressed as anime, cosplay and other fictional characters on Friday, Nov. 3, 2017.
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From left: Sofia Romero, DJ Swiggette, Stephen Lewis and Salina Curry take a moment away from the action during the 2016 NekoCon event held at the Hampton Convention Center on Saturday, Nov. 5, 2016.
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Virginia Beach's Shelsea Evans is dressed as Shadow Link from The Legend of Zelda during the Nekocon at the Hampton Convention Center on Friday, Nov. 3, 2017.
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Devoshia Jones dressed as the Ice King makes his way into NekoCon 19 at the Hampton Roads Convention Center Friday November 4, 2016.
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Andy Murhpy, dressed as Alucard from the anime Hellsing, navigates the stairs with other guests of DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Williamsburg during Saturday's 16th annual MarsCon. The event features panels, workshops, games, demonstrations and art.
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Kassandra Parker did her own make-up to dress up as the character Kevin from Night Vale at MarsCon in Williamsburg Saturday. No Mags, No Sales, No Internet, No TV
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Joe O'Keefe, dressed as a Dungeons and Dragons character, poses in the hallways of DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Williamsburg during Saturday's 16th annual MarsCon. The event features panels, workshops, games, demonstrations and art.
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Stormy Pierce gets a hug from Jessie Ingram while waiting in line to register for the NekoCon 15 convention at the Hampton Roads Convention Center on Friday.
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Thousnads of people dressed as their favorite characters walk through the Hampton Roads Convention Center during Saturday's Nekocon 18 November 7, 2015.
Joe Fudge / Daily Press
NekoCon anime convention comes to Hampton Roads Convention Center this weekend in Hampton. Emily Hansen from Chesp. taking a break from her hot head gear.
Joe Fudge / Daily Press
NekoCon anime convention comes to Hampton Roads Convention Center this weekend in Hampton. Slow moving line to sign in the convention.
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Hampton's Tristan Retzlaff takes a moment outside dressed as Corporate Pedo Bear during the 2016 NekoCon event held at the Hampton Convention Center on Saturday, Nov. 5, 2016.
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Colorful costumes from comics and Anime were everywhere at the Hampton Roads Convention Center Friday November 4, 2016 as NekoCon 19 gets underway.
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Jeana Hudson, right, adjusts her costume as Star Guardian Ahri from League of Legends during the Nekocon anime convention at the Hampton Convention Center on Friday, Nov. 3, 2017.
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NekoCon anime convention comes to Hampton Roads Convention Center this weekend in Hampton. Checking their messages, Lillian Clemens 3, Jackie Waters of Hampton and Sabrine Clemens all from Hampton.
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A group of furries gather outside for a photo-op during the 2016 NekoCon event held at the Hampton Convention Center on Saturday, Nov. 5, 2016.
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NekoCon 15 attendees participate in a Live Action Role Play exercise at the Hampton Roads Convention Center on Saturday.
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Hampton's Joy Williams checks her Rainbow Dash headpeice before the custom contest during the 2016 NekoCon event held at the Hampton Convention Center on Saturday, Nov. 5, 2016.
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Attendees watch a photo shoot of their favorite characters during the 2016 NekoCon event held at the Hampton Convention Center on Saturday, Nov. 5, 2016.
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Emilie Gschwerg and Kaitlin "Sunset Dragon" pose for photos at the anime convention Nekocon 16 at the Hampton Roads Convention Center Saturday, November 02, 2013
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Fans of Sailor Moon admired a personalized Sailor Moon jacket during the Nekocon anime convention at the Hampton Convention Center on Friday, Nov. 3, 2017.
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Sarah Smith and Regina Hughes in their custom made Mandalorian armor attend MarsCon Saturday in WIlliamsburg. No Mags, No Sales, No Internet, No TV
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Issam Dabaie, left, helps adjust the horns of Kelsea Burnside who is dressed as Iron Bull from Dragon Age of Inquisition during Saturday's Nekocon 18 at the Hampton Roads Convention Center November 7, 2015.
Jonathon Gruenke / Daily Press
Marso the Martian navigates the hallways of DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Williamsburg during Saturday's 16th annual MarsCon. The event features panels, workshops, games, demonstrations and art.
Aileen Devlin / Daily Press
Attendees look over plush anime dolls during the 2016 NekoCon event held at the Hampton Convention Center on Saturday, Nov. 5, 2016.
Aileen Devlin / Daily Press
Attendees pose for photographs as their favorite characters during the 2016 NekoCon event held at the Hampton Convention Center on Saturday, Nov. 5, 2016.
Sangjib Min, Daily Press
Iris Chen, left, works on her sketch during NekoCon 12, an anime convention. She is one of artists, who participates the convention as a vendor.
Jonathon Gruenke / Daily Press
Bryan Jenkins, right, wields a foam weapon during a Orcs LARP battle demonstration at the DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Williamsburg during Saturday's 16th annual MarsCon. The event features panels, workshops, games, demonstrations and art.
Aileen Devlin / Daily Press
Virginia Beach's Jeana Boyle dressed as 'Widowmaker' poses for a photograph during the 2016 NekoCon event held at the Hampton Convention Center on Saturday, Nov. 5, 2016.
Sangjib Min, Daily Press
Two participants at NekoCon 12 wear costumes of their favorite anime characters.
Joe Fudge / Daily Press
NekoCon anime convention comes to Hampton Roads Convention Center this weekend in Hampton. Jonathan Kodeck from MD as Super Mario.
Joe Fudge / Daily Press
NekoCon anime convention comes to Hampton Roads Convention Center this weekend in Hampton. Matthew Payne of Norfolk and Catherine Nguyen Hampton.
Sangjib Min, Daily Press
Aaron Jackson, center left, of Virginia Beach in Pyramid Head costume, and Billy Klaugh, center right, of Hampton in Ichigo costume, pose for other participants during NekoCon 12.
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Attendees take photos of their favorite characters during the 2016 NekoCon event held at the Hampton Convention Center on Saturday, Nov. 5, 2016.
Jonathon Gruenke / Daily Press
Ulysses Saxton plays the violin during Saturday's Nekocon 18 at the Hampton Roads Convention Center November 7, 2015.
Joe Fudge / Daily Press
NekoCon anime convention comes to Hampton Roads Convention Center this weekend in Hampton. On the upper deck over looking the mass of people at the convention.
Jonathon Gruenke / Daily Press
Alan Provo takes a break from wearing his werewolf costume during Saturday's Nekocon 18 at the Hampton Roads Convention Center November 7, 2015.
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Amber Seagrave dressed as Rose Quartz sits outside the Hampton Roads Convention Center Friday November 4, 2016 as NekoCon 19 gets underway.
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Stephanie Stevens watches activity from above during the second day of the NekoCon 15 convention at the Hampton Roads Convention Center on Saturday.
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Kathryn Dickerson puts together custom made stuffed dragons and trolls for sale at MarsCon 2014 in Williamsburg Saturday. Scores of science-fiction and fantasy fans came out to play games and show off their costumes. No Mags, No Sales, No Internet, No TV
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Melissa Rhodes dressed as Rainbow Bright cybergoth style tries to bargain her way out of a Klingon jail Saturday at MarsCon in Williamsburg. No Mags, No Sales, No Internet, No TV
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Traveling from Lexington Va., Joshua Jamerson dresses as NCR Ranger from the video game Fallout during Nekocon at the Hampton Convention Center on Friday, Nov. 3, 2017.
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Courtney Ferris, 12, of Poquoson in Miku Hatsune costume, talks over a phone to find her friend as others on background dance during NekoCon 12, anime convention that happens annually at the Hampton Roads Convention Center.
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Employees with The Dragon's Lair Elissa Gray, right, shows a customer dinosaur stuff animal during the Nekocon at the Hampton Convention Center on Friday, Nov. 3, 2017.
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Hundreds of people gather at the DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Williamsburg during Saturday's 16th annual MarsCon. The event features panels, workshops, games, demonstrations and art.
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Stuffed animals and other trinkets hang from a display during the Nekocon anime convention at the Hampton Convention Center on Friday, Nov. 3, 2017.
Jonathon Gruenke / Daily Press
Grace Jackson poses as Lolita Sailor Pluto during Saturday's Nekocon 18 at the Hampton Roads Convention Center November 7, 2015.
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A group of women dressed as Love Live! ride the escalator while singing during Nekocon anime convention at the Hampton Convention Center on Friday, Nov. 3, 2017.
Jonathon Gruenke / Daily Press
Chris Davis, dressed as a Star Wars Sith Master, poses in the hallways of DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Williamsburg during Saturday's 16th annual MarsCon. The event features panels, workshops, games, demonstrations and art.
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Natalie Moreland dressed as the character Stalking plays in the fountain in front of the Hampton Roads Convention Center Saturday, NOv, 2, 2013 as anime festival Nekocon 16 goes on inside.
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Matthew Scruggs of York County waits in the lobby of the Hampton Roads Convention Center as participants arrive for the opening of the NekoCon 15 convention on Friday.
Joe Fudge / Daily Press
NekoCon anime convention comes to Hampton Roads Convention Center this weekend in Hampton. With art work of Betty Davis looking over them Dave and Aleshia Simpson are holding Kellin 3 in line waiting their turn to sign in.
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Annemarie Erway came to Nekocon 16 at the Hampton Roads Convention Center on November 02, 2013 as anime character Yuuki Kuran.
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Shannon Upthegrove (right) examines a Red Queen sword in the Dealers' Room during the first day of NekoCon 15 at the Hampton Roads Convention Center on Friday.
Joe Fudge / Daily Press
NekoCon anime convention comes to Hampton Roads Convention Center this weekend in Hampton. Orrion Harris (Orrion) from York Co.
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Tony Brunson poses as Morty from Rick and Morty during the Nekocon anime convention at the Hampton Convention Center on Friday, Nov. 3, 2017.
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(From left) Jeremy Merritt, Elizabeth Siegfried and Noah Fryrear share a laugh during the second day of the NekoCon 15 convention at the Hampton Roads Convention Center on Saturday.
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Robert Bowen heads into the Hampton Roads Convention Center Saturday, Nov. 2, 2013 for Nekocon 16. He made this armor based on the character Anthony Carmine for the game Gears of War.
Rob Ostermaier / Daily Press
Brynley Dolman dressed as a Klingon reads an arrest warrant to Joan Amber dressed as a minion at MarsCon Saturday. The arrest were held as a charity event at the annual science-fiction convention in Williamsburg. No Mags, No Sales, No Internet, No TV
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Customers browse through various fur covered clothing items for sale during the 2016 NekoCon event held at the Hampton Convention Center on Saturday, Nov. 5, 2016.
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Chris Mackes attends Nokocon 16 on November 02, 2013 at the Hampton Roads Convention Center as the Witch King form the Lord of the rings movies.
Joe Fudge / Daily Press
NekoCon anime convention comes to Hampton Roads Convention Center this weekend in Hampton. Matt Hammer of N.N. is trying to fix his R2-D2 robot from Star Wars. He's also a member of the R2-D2 Builders Club.
Rob Ostermaier / Daily Press
Caitlin Kelly moves around her zombies in a game of Quickfire Saturday at MarsCon 2014 in WIlliamsburg. The Quickfire game involves epic battles in detailed city model city scapes. No Mags, No Sales, No Internet, No TV
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Delilah Doss, left, dressed as Lolita Sailor Chibi Moon and Grace Jackson dressed as Lolita Sailor Pluto sit during Saturday's Nekocon 18 at the Hampton Roads Convention Center November 7, 2015.
Jonathon Gruenke / Daily Press
Brandon Banks poses as Hisako from the Killer Instinct video game during Saturday's Nekocon 18 at the Hampton Roads Convention Center November 7, 2015.
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NekoCon 15 attendees arrive to the Hampton Roads Convention Center on Saturday afternoon for the second day of convention activities.
Jonathon Gruenke / Daily Press
Amanda Chang stands behind a pillar dressed as the Beast from Over the Garden Wall during Saturday's Nekocon 18 at the Hampton Roads Convention Center November 7, 2015.
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Portsmouth's Garrett Ward dresses as Court of Owls during the Nekocon anime convention at the Hampton Convention Center on Friday, Nov. 3, 2017.
Jonathon Gruenke / Daily Press
Rachel Cooper, dressed as Sailor Moon, walks the hallways of DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Williamsburg during Saturday's 16th annual MarsCon. The event features panels, workshops, games, demonstrations and art.
Rob Ostermaier / Daily Press
Hex Nottingham made up as Darth Maul from Star Wars makes an appearance at MarsCon Saturday in WIlliamsburg. No Mags, No Sales, No Internet, No TV

PUBLISHED: January 11, 2017 at 3:00 a.m. | UPDATED: August 8, 2019 at 9:58 p.m.

The program booklet for the first MarsCon, held in Hampton, includes a hand-drawn map of the host hotel, a “Martian Rules of Conduct” list and an introductory page explaining, among other things, the convention’s move from the beach to the Peninsula.

“We left the beach in an experiment to see if many local people would go to a con if they didn’t have to drive the extra 30 miles,” the program reads. “Who knows? Maybe next year we will be back on the beach (or not).”

That was 1990. MarsCon has remained on the Peninsula ever since.

“It is the longest running science fiction convention in the Tidewater area,” said chairman James Allen, involved with the convention since the beginning.

In its 27th year, MarsCon will fill Williamsburg’s DoubleTree Hotel with all things sci-fi and fantasy from Jan. 13-15.

While dedicated con-goers sustained MarsCon through the years, Allen said the convention’s attendance has nearly doubled since 2007, from 600 attendees that year to around 1,400 in 2016.

“We expect at least that many this year, if not more,” he said.

The 2017 theme, “The Year of the Dragon,” references the Dragonriders of Pern book series conceived by the late Anne McCaffrey. Her son, Todd McCaffrey, a best-selling author and Guest of Honor at this year’s MarsCon, has contributed to the Pern world in books both co-authored with his mother and written alone.

Other guests of honor include artist Ruth Thompson, author Mari Mancusi, game-designer Sandy Petersen, and musical comedian Mikey Mason.

From author panels to light saber demonstrations to a dragon armor workshop, MarsCon packs the programming with offerings for writers, readers, gamers and cosplayers alike.

“We have something for just about anyone,” Allen said.

On Saturday alone, a MarsCon attendee could start the day at a panel on “Fantastic Beasts and How to Write Them,” head over to a Doctor Who Tea Party and check out Todd McCaffrey’s interview before observing the costume contest.

Allen said MarsCon feels like a family reunion.

“You see a large amount of the same group of people showing up every year,” he said. “They’re ready to actually reserve their (hotel) room for the next year the day that they check out.”

If you’re new to the convention, that’s welcome, too.

“It’s a way to meet new people,” Allen said. “We’re expanding our family right now.”

Bridges can be reached by phone at 757-345-2342.

Want to go?

When: 2 p.m.-1 a.m., Jan. 13; 9 a.m.-1 a.m., Jan. 14; 9 a.m.-4 p.m., Jan. 15.

Where: DoubleTree by Hilton Williamsburg, 50 Kingsmill Road.

Weekend admission is $50 for adults, 13 and up. Day passes for adults are $25 on Friday, $35 on Saturday and $20 on Sunday. Admission for children ages 6-12 is half price with an adult, and free for children ages five and under. Cash, checks and cards accepted at the door.

For more information and to see the full schedule, visit marscon.net.