Societies and Festivals For the Discerning Extreme Enthusiast

Well, you’ve caught me on an off day. I could not come up with anything too taxing to discuss today, so I’ve decided to provide a list of my favorite fan societies and conventions in the US and abroad for you to peruse. Many of these events I would die to go to! So, here goes!

1. The World Science Fiction Society and Convention (Worldcon or WSFS)

– This society celebrates science fiction in all its many forms. At each convention they present the world famous Hugo Awards, the oldest and most noteworthy award for science fiction. This year’s convention expects the attendance of over 7,000 fans.

-Loncon3 is to take place Thursday August 14^th through Monday August 18^th, 2014 in London, England

-website: www.worldcon.org

2. North American Science Fiction Convention (NASFiC)

-Since Worldcon is to be held in London, the company decided to hold another big convention for it’s North American members. (NASFiC is owned by Worldcon, and only runs when Worldcon is held outside the United States)

-Detcon1 will be held July 17^th through July 20^th, 2014 in Detroit, Michigan

-website: www.nasfic.org

3. Mythopoeic Society

-This society was founded in 1967 by Glen H. GoodKnight. It is a non-profit organization devoted to the study of mythopoeic literature, particularly works by J.R.R. Tolkien, C.S. Lewis, and other members of the Oxford literary circle known as the ‘Inklings’.

-They hold a yearly convention. This year’s is Mythcon45, which is being held August 8-11, 2014 in Norton, MA

-website: www.mythsoc.org

4. The Jane Austen Society of North America (JASNA)

-This society focuses on the enjoyment and appreciation of Jane Austen and her writing.

-They hold an Annual General Meeting (AGM). This is a three day conference filled with lectures, exhibits, workshops, entertainment, and include, what I think is probably the main exciting event, a formal banquet and Regency ball.

-This year’s AGM is being held October 10^th through the 12^th, 2014 in Montreal, Quebec, Canada. The theme is: Mansfield Park in Montreal: Contexts, Conventions, and Controversies.

-Special Notice: the Jane Austen Society (UK) is holding their three day conference in September, which is in commemoration of the 200^th year anniversary of the publication of Mansfield Park, and will be held in Northamptonshire, the setting for Mansfield Park.

-website: www.jasna.org

5. The Dickens Fellowship

-This society was founded in 1902, and is a worldwide association of people who share an interest in the life and works of Charles Dickens.

-The hold events all over the world (mostly the UK and US) on Dickens. The fellowship holds an annual conference. This year’s is being held July 16^th through the 21^st, 2014 in Chicago, IL. This year they are holding their very 1^st Bi-annual Dickens North American Conference from September 26^th through the 29^th, 2014 at Salem State University.

-website: www.dickensfellowship.org

6. Victorian Society in America

-This society is the only national non-profit organization committed to historic preservation, protection, understanding, education, and enjoyment of our 19^th century heritage.

-They hold an annual meeting and tour in different locations of Victorian interest. This includes several days of motoring and walking tours taking in museums, historic buildings, banquets, receptions, and the Annual Business Meeting. They also have Symposia and Study Tours listed on their website.

-website: www.victoriansociety.org

7. Doctor Who Appreciation Society

-This is a society for fans of the television show, founded in 1976. They produce a monthly magazine, Celestial Toyroom. They hold conventions and social events (in the UK)

-website: www.dwasonline.co.uk

8. Renaissance, Medieval, and Pirate Faires (a site listing all the faires throughout the US)

-website: www.renfaire.com/sites

-Faires include: the San Fancisco Great Dickens Christmas Faire and Victorian Holiday Party, The Original Renaissance Pleasure Faire in Irwindale, CA (started in 1963), and the Texas Renaissance Festival (TRF) (one of the nations largest and most acclaimed renaissance theme parks) in Plantersville, TX, near Houston.

9. Conventions – Sci-Fi, Literature, Steampunk, Comic, etc.

-website listing all upcoming conventions in the US, and some abroad

-website: www.upcomingcons.com

So, no matter what you are into you should be able to find something here to tickle your interest. Please also feel free to suggest any others that you know of that I haven’t included.

Have any great societies or conventions you know about that I haven’t included? Sound off below…

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Do you love Doctor Who? Check Out Our Doctor Who Diaries.

Interested in the Victorian Society? Well perhaps you’d like to try hosting a Victorian tea party of your own. Check it out here.

Or maybe you’d like to buff up on your knowledge of Regency games for your membership in the Jane Austen Society? Try reading Regency Games to Amuse.

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