Sci-Fi fans ready for seventh annual Keokon

The seventh annual Keokon Science Fiction Convention will be held March 21-22, 2014 at the Heritage Center (508 Main St.) in Keokuk, Iowa.

Activities will include the traditional Death Star piñata, Captain Kirk's birthday party, and an all-night game tournament. Saturday panels will include subjects as diverse as wireless Internet security, ghosthunting, Steampunk, and creating costumes on a budget.

Dressing up as a favorite character from TV, movies, or books is a hobby known as "cosplay," which is growing tremendously in popularity. Cosplay is a combination of the words "costume" and "role-play." Enthusiasts enjoy not only the costume aspect, but also pretending to be the character they've chosen.

Keokon is including several cosplay events this year. Most of these events will take place on Friday evening, March 21, and are free and open to the public.

At 6 p.m., there will be a Costume Walk along Keokuk's Main Street, which will allow local fans a chance to show off their costumes. Participants are encouraged to register starting at 5 p.m. at the Heritage Center.

At 7 p.m., a Character Date Auction will be held to raise money for charity, with Brian Barnes as emcee. Bidders have the opportunity to win a date with a costumed character. Proceeds will go to the charity of the character's choice.

A Costume Contest will be held at 8 p.m. to choose the best costumes of the night. Trophies will be given to the first, second, and third place winners.

Nightfall Games will kick off the game tournament with a gaming panel at 9 p.m. The overnight lock-in will begin at 10 p.m. and run until 8 a.m. Saturday. It will include sanctioned games of Magic the Gathering, Pokemon, and Heroclix. Yu-Gi-Oh, D&D, and other games will also be available. Admission to the tournament is $5.

Saturday's events will begin at 10 a.m. Admission to Keokon on Saturday is $3 for the whole day. Kids under 12 will be admitted free with a paying adult.

The first 100 paid attendees on Saturday will receive a swag bag and a chance at many awesome door prizes. Vendors will also be on hand, selling a wide variety of sci-fi and fantasy merchandise, including comic books, art, collectibles, games, and handcrafted merchandise.

Saturday Schedule:

10 a.m. - Print Comics Forum with Nightfall Comics

11 a.m. - Paranormal Social Work with Barb Huyser

12 noon - (inside) Wireless Security with Jeff Richtman; (outside) Captain Kirk's Birthday Party / Death Star Piñata

1 p.m. - Steampunk Express with Hank Hustus and Gary Lange

2 p.m. -Web Comics with One Squared Studio

3 p.m. -Artist Community Forum with Allied Creators Studios

3:30 p.m. - Post-Apocalyptic "Can Can" Survival Game with Adam Whitlatch

4 p.m. - Costuming on a Budget with Karen Hustus and Molly Hruska-Ketchum

5 p.m. - Revisionist History Video-Game Style (Assassin's Creed) with Zac Malm

5:30 p.m. - Stump the Geek Trivia Contest with prizes!

For more information, like Keokon on Facebook, check the website at keokon.com, or contact Keokon chairman Heather Hutcherson at (319) 795-7229.