Fargo ValleyCon

[Angalin]

Because I lead such an exciting life, I won't be in Montreal in August. However! for a fraction of the price (about US $25, maybe $35, the website says both) I can meet GRRM in October in that famed metrop, Fargo. Any other locals likely to be there?

eta: depending on said exciting life, I may not make it to Fargo either, but it's much less unlikely than Mtl.

[beniowa]

I hadn't even realized Martin would be in Fargo. Iowa City to Fargo would be a long day of driving but it's certainly doable. Something to think about.

[Angalin]

How long, Ben? It's about 4 hours for me, but I'd likely only stay one night.

[beniowa]

Google says it's 8-9 hours, depending on which roads you take, which isn't too bad. I'd need at least two days just for driving plus however long I stay at the con. I still need to check out the convention website.

[Guest thebadlady]

I may kidnap RaceBannon and come up for a day. It would be about a 4 hour drive for us too.

[Angalin]

Here's the link, if anyone needs it: Fargo ValleyCon.

[Ixodes]

I'm about 3 hours away and would definitely be interested.

[Chataya de Fleury]

OMG. Fargo Valley Con was where I met kilt guy. Whoa.

[Angalin]

"Kilt guy"? Do elaborate. :)

[Prince of the North]

Because I lead such an exciting life, I won't be in Montreal in August. However! for a fraction of the price (about US $25, maybe $35, the website says both) I can meet GRRM in October in that famed metrop, Fargo. Any other locals likely to be there?

eta: depending on said exciting life, I may not make it to Fargo either, but it's much less unlikely than Mtl.

What?!!! I never thought in a million years that GRRM may be somewhere close to the boonies where I live. I live about 2 1/2 hours drive west of Fargo in that other famed metrop Bismarck. Hmm, I may just have to make an appearance. It'd be wonderful to meet any fellow boarders who may be there. As far as George goes, I would be more than satisfied with simply shaking the man's hand and offering my sincere thanks...or maybe just waving from across the room...or whatever's possible :)

ETA: Anyone know when/where GRRM will be appearing at Fargo ValleyCon? I looked at the programming guide and didn't see anything but I'm certainly not above missing the obvious :)

[beniowa]

ETA: Anyone know when/where GRRM will be appearing at Fargo ValleyCon? I looked at the programming guide and didn't see anything but I'm certainly not above missing the obvious :)

I don't believe they have the programming available yet. Most conventions don't publish the program until a couple weeks before the first day. Looking at last year's schedule, the guest of honor was around noon on Saturday so they'll probably do something similar this year for Martin.

[Prince of the North]

Thanks beniowa! I'll keep an eye out!

[Chataya de Fleury]

"Kilt guy"? Do elaborate. :)

From my post on the LepreCon thread, where I was telling Blauer the joys of smaller Cons, the important bits on Kilt Guy in bold:

"However, I have been to smaller, "local/regional" Cons in the past, specifically ValleyCon in Fargo, ND. Local cons often have a lot of local flavor...for example, Star Trek and SCA (Society for Creative Anachronism) people were HUGE at ValleyCon. Every other person was dressed as a Klingon or wearing a kilt and carrying a lute or a sword. I think the smaller Cons can be more fun and personal - the crowd at Valley Con was much younger (average age = 30-ish) than the crowd at WorldCon (average age = late 50s), and I was very freely invited to parties. I won at Hobbit Trivia. I drank a lot of "Martian Mind Juice". I ended up with a guy in a kilt, [to add - yes, "with" him, in the bathroom at one of the parties] whom I later moved in with and then moved out on, since he was a polyamorous individual with another girlfriend whom he forgot to mention. He was hoping to get us together...ah, never mind. His roommate introduced me to the work of Ellen Kushner, so all was not lost."

I really, really enjoyed ValleyCon - it was my very first Con, all the way back in 1992.

[Angalin]

Thanks for the story! However, I will likely neither be a Klingon nor picking up guys in kilts, if I make it. ;)

[white-raven]

Hi everyone. I'm really new to here, but there's a good chance you know my significant other - Ser Michael John Snow. After missing Worldcon, We are planning to make the trip up to ValleyCon. He's really excited to hopefully see GRRM up close. Anyone been before? This will be my first con.

[Parris]

Hi everyone. I'm really new to here, but there's a good chance you know my significant other - Ser Michael John Snow. After missing Worldcon, We are planning to make the trip up to ValleyCon. He's really excited to hopefully see GRRM up close. Anyone been before? This will be my first con.

I hope you have a wonderful time at your very first SF con. There's a lot to like about smaller regional conventions. One bonus is that the GoHs usually have more time to actually enjoy the con and get to meet more people on a casual basis than at a big con which has more programming, meetings, business lunches and promotion events.

Usually a small con will have the 'big' GoH events on Saturday or Sunday, and I expect George will do a reading as well as other panels. Check the con's website closer to the con dates to see if they put up programing information. I always rec going on a Saturday to a con if you can only attend one day, that's often the day when the best events are presented.

George will be looking for friendly faces, especially those who know where he can get a good meal, or who will enjoy hanging out in the hotel lobby bar for hours, while people come and go.

The lines for autographing sessions will be much shorter. You'll be able to find your friends, the ones you know, and the ones you meet during the con with ease. You know that really great but weird/silly/sexy outfit you don't have enough nerve to wear in your mundane life? Pack it and wear it with delight during the convention.

I've never been to this specific con, but usually there's a small range of dealers in the hucksters' room, you should be able to find some nifty books/t-shirts/art prints for yourself or as gifts for friends. Since George is a GoH there should be at least one canny book dealer who brings a lot of George's titles to sell, if you want to expand your GRRM collection or get a copy of A Game of Thrones for George to sign as a gift for a friend. So shake that piggy bank and bring a few bucks to spend, if you can.

So go and enjoy yourself. Don't be shy, introduce yourself to strangers, laugh out loud at silliness, paint yourself up as a Klingon or zombie alien clown from the planet Zarnu, ask that question in a panel, and don't forget to volunteer for an hour or two to help out the con. It's a great way to meet people, and since most SF cons are run on volunteer work, you'll be helping to make the convention fun for everyone. When I was a new fan, I often worked registration. People are almost always in a good mood when they get to a convention, and are eager to get their badge and program book. You've got a built in excuse for asking their name, and if you have a friendly attitude and a smile, you'll make an impression on even the most world-weary folks who have seen everything at cons, and later that day in the bar or the hospitality suite, it can lead to talking to people that you never thought would ever notice you. (That's how I met Robert Silverberg and Chip Delany, and made casual conversations easier with many folks over the years).

Hope you have a grand time, and don't forget the con reports!

[Michael Jon Snow]

I hope you have a wonderful time at your very first SF con...

Hope you have a grand time, and don't forget the con reports!

Parris,

Thanks so much for that awesome post. We are really looking forward to all of the festivities. You make these small cons sound fantastic. We would definitely be willing to sit with you and George and people watch.

Last year they had a costume party. I hope they include that in the program again this year. It would make for a great con report.

[Angalin]

The local paper ran a piece on Fargo last weekend. Lots of tips! :)

[beniowa]

I just made a reservation for two nights at a Motel 6 right next door to the convention hotel. My attendance is not a 100% yet, but at this point I do plan to be there.

[Kasteen1979]

Hey there...first time I've posted...member of BwB, but went to the site and it was gone...I live in Fargo and have been given the responsibility of hosting the SoIaF Party Room...Any other BwB members plan on being here, want to help out with the room, etc.? I would love any insight into how this works, as this is my first con also! Help would be appreciated and may help me maintain what little grip I have on my sanity! *lol*