Okay, I admit it - I'm a geek. I like to go to Science Fiction conventions. To assist others in this admirable past-time, I will use this page to keep a listing of "cons" in the Toronto area. Or you can look here to see some of the pics I've had taken with some stars, etc...

Temporarily at the top of the heap, a one-shot Lord of the Rings Con is happening in Toronto on December 15-17, 2003. More information can be found here.

First of the regular cons is the Canadian National Sci-Fi Expo, which was August 22-24, 2003, at the Toronto Convention Centre, right downtown. In 1999, the dealer room was pretty good (the high point, actually), but in 2000 it wasn't nearly as good. 2001 sucked as well, and I didn't even get to see Traci Lords! This con seems to be suffering from its own success - the lineups last year were stupid.

Lynne and I have a favourite con - Toronto Trek, which was July 11-13, 2003. This one has all sorts of panels and discussions, gaming rooms, photo and autograph opportunities, all at the Regal Constellation hotel near the Toronto Airport. It's a bit more pricey ($50.00 for the weekend, day passes depend on the day), but we like it! (May not be at the Regal in 2004 - seems the hotel is in financial difficulties...)

Then there's Conthulhu... It's at the Days Hotel near Toronto Airport. Admission $35 in advance, $45 at the door, less for kids. This one happened October 25-27, 2002. And I was head of security for the con! How the heck did that happen? Note - there will not be a Primedia in 2003, maybe not even 2004... Waiting for official word.

Ad Astra bills itself as Canada's Literary Sci-Fi Con. This year's was March 21-23, 2003. No idea how much it cost. Maybe some year Lynne and I will make it to this one.

A couple of years ago (2000), someone tried to hold a Klingon convention in Toronto, but it got cancelled at the last minute. In case they ever hold another one, it's called The Rite of Ascension.

Prefer just to game? Can't afford to go to Gen-Con? Then check out Orion, "Toronto's Premier Gaming Convention" (their words, not mine), some time in the spring of 2003. Check the web page for more info, I've never been to it. $25 pre-register or $30 at the door for a full weekend spent with other gaming geeks. Joy! UPDATE - February 13, 2003 - they've joined forces with Ad Astra, so see their listing above...

Finally, WorldCon, the world Science Fiction Convention, was in Toronto in 2003. They called the effort TorCon, and it was August 28th-September 3rd (?) of 2003 - this was the first non-American WorldCon of the new millennium, just as (back in the 70's) Toronto was originally chosen as the first non-American WorldCon site. Who cares about the damn Olympic bid in 2008?

Like Anime? Who doesn't? Check out Anime North, which was on the Victoria Day weekend (May 16-18) in 2003...