Photo: Wikimedia Commons Photo: Wikimedia Commons

From a galaxy far, far away

By | Jan 17, 2010

Aliens might not be landing any time soon in Halifax, but the first ever sci-fi and fantasy convention is arriving in October. Big-name stars include Star Trek alumnae Denise Crosby and Walter Koenig, Jeremy Bulloch from The Empire Strikes Back and Return of the Jedi and Adam Douglas from Battlestar Galactica.

Bulloch, who played bounty hunter Boba Fett in the original Star Wars trilogy, is excited about the event. “I’m looking forward to meeting everyone,” he says. “What’s so nice is there’s interest so early. I hope it’s buzzing by the time it’s on.”

2010 is the first year for the Hal-Con convention, so organizers are busy planning and raising funds. “We’re moving along now, making really good headway,” says Jennifer Lambe, lead organizer for the event. “We’re doing fundraising across Atlantic Canada with Empire Theatres at film premieres.” So far, organizers have travelled to seven different Atlantic Canadian cities. At the premieres, they hand out flyers and prizes to attendees.

The convention will be at the Lord Nelson Hotel, October 29 to 31, 2010. It will feature celebrity guests, artists, comic artists, authors and vendors. Tickets run $45 for a weekend pass purchased in advance, $30 for Friday only and $20 for Saturday only. The event includes Q&A sessions, photo sessions, autograph signings, workshops, panel discussions, vendors and games. And perhaps a few surprises. “We’re also working with Empire Theatre, hoping to bring in films for late-night viewings,” Lambe says.

One other highlight is the VIP ticket event—an exclusive meet and greet with every celebrity guest. “We’re trying to get mainstream people to the convention,” Lambe explains. “There’s something for everyone, even if you don’t consider yourself a geek. We want to have a huge blow-out event. We have over 1,600 people on Facebook who are eager to go.”

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