StarFest 2015 - Day One Recap

Written by John Edward Betancourt

Ah StarFest, Denver's longest running science fiction convention.  It's a con that I hold near and dear simply because of the fact that it was the first convention I had ever attended in my life and over the past few years I've had the grand honor of covering this convention and going behind the scenes to unearth its rich history.

Those thoughts are important as we come to this particular StarFest. Because over the years, I've met many incredible people at this convention. People I am so proud to still call friends and that I enjoy seeing when I run into them at various places on the con floor and take the time to say hello and see how everyone is doing. After all, in many ways StarFest feels like a family reunion and that's one of the many wonderful things about this convention.

But there was a different feel to the entire convention when I stepped through the doors this year, a certain sense of sadness hanging over the entire event as I picked up my registration packet and it only took a few moments for me to see why as I came across the flyer for StarFest 2016...complete with the address for the alternate hotel that the con would be at next year. In fact it was the talk to the con as the evening went on, some had heard rumors this was coming, others were simply shocked but we were all of the same opinion, this is a big deal. 

Now I've heard through the pipeline that this may be a temporary move, and I most certainly hope it is, but whether or not the con returns to this particular hotel, we have to recognize the fact that this is the end of an era when you truly think about it. All those memories, the comfort and feel, it all gets disrupted by this change and while StarFest will no doubt continue on and be the great time that it always has, there's something strange in knowing we have to change venues next year. 

But while it will seem strange to be wandering around another hotel next year, there is a silver lining to all of this. There were still smiles on everyone's faces for people are pushing their concerns away and enjoying the moment. After all, there are still laughs to be had and memories to be made and it's clear that everyone is planning on making this another incredible weekend and a proper farewell to the current era and that kind of positivity and joy should make for one amazing day at the con. 

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