Thousands of avid Science Fiction and Fantasy enthusiasts gathered over the Thanksgiving weekend for LosCon 38 at the Los Angeles Airport Marriott.
A three-day annual convention that occupied the entire lower level of the hotel with activities and events that included an Art Show with a silent auction, a Dealer's Room where vendors can sell all types of unique items not normally found anywhere else, a variety of panel discussions with guest panelists on subjects from science, space exploration, writing, 3D animation to problems concerning today's education just to name a few.
For children there was a creative projects workshop oriented towards science fiction and fantasy run by Alison Stern, Head of Children's Programming for LosCon 38.
A model workshop for the entire family geared toward the hobby of model building with pre-painted airplane model pieces, and a Do-it-Yourself (D.I.Y.) Builders Workshop displaying homemade animatronics by former Disney Imagineer Tim Lewis, robotics by Thomas Messerschmidt, a music creation system by Tim Trzepacz and a homemade R2-D2 robot by Gene Arena.
Fans, many dressed in costume had the opportunity to meet special guests of honor such as writers; John DeChancie, Larry Niven and Jerry Pournelle, artist Aldo Spadoni, John Hertz and retired astronaut Rick Searfoss.
For non-squeamish fans the Red Cross took part in the event on Saturday with a Blood Drive for those who wish to make a donation.
Other organizations were also at the convention to represent their up and coming events from San Diego to Chicago. Dave McCarty, the chairman of World Science Fiction Convention was at LosCon 38 to promote "Chicon 7" taking place in Chicago, Illinois, in 2012.
Loscon is a non-profit all volunteer organization put on by the Los Angeles Science Fantasy Society (LASFS) as a fundraiser to support their science fiction club.
LASFS created LosCon in 1975 as a special convention to celebrate their 2,000th meeting calling it then LA 2000 before changing the name to LosCon in 1976.
Loscon was held twice in 1977 with Science Fiction writer Jerry Pournelle as their official guest of honor during the second held convention that same year. By 1978 it became an annual affair during the month of November, and by 1982 the Thanksgiving weekend has become the traditional meeting date.
Credits: Dave McCarty, Arlene Satin, Alison Stern, Thomas Messerschmidt, Tim Trzepacz, Gene Arena, The Red Cross.
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