StarFest 2015 - Day Three Recap

Written by John Edward Betancourt

There truly was a different feel to StarFest this year, one that continued to grow as the final day of the convention arrived on Sunday. The bittersweet sorrow we all pushed down into the depths of our souls over the fact that the con was changing venues quickly found its way to the top of our minds as we all settled in for those last minute dashes for deals in the vendor room or to make sure to say our goodbyes to our con family. 

I watched the smiles begin to fade as the seconds ticked down toward closing ceremonies, or as people started the process to check out of their rooms because the reality of the situation began to settle in, there was a real chance that some of our friends might not make it to the new venue next year. Our old traditions and habits would have to change because StarFest for so many has become an annual way of life, planned out to a tee every single year. Heck, I'm guilty of it myself, because it's rare I don't find myself grabbing a cup of coffee before getting to work.  

It's those little things we don't think of when it comes to a convention like this, all the things we settle into routine wise because that's simply how it goes when you know where the con will be every single year, know every nook and cranny of the hotel that you're staying at because as I've heard it expressed many times by many people going to StarFest...it always feels like home. The talk that the con would be returning after next year grew throughout the weekend and it sounds like the DTC Marriott is undergoing renovations, and that will change the feel of our mini home away from home.  In many ways, StarFest will never be the same...this Sunday truly served as a goodbye to the old era of this con and we all had to prepare ourselves for the new era that now awaited us.  

In fact I was reminded of many a geeky moment as I wandered these halls once again.  I was instantly transported back to the series finale of Battlestar Galactica where Admiral Adama was taking one last look at the old girl from space before leaving her behind, because well...that's what I found myself doing. Going from place to place, taking the whole thing in this one final time before it changed forever. Letting my mind wander as memories of laughter and wonderful times washed over me.  Those last few hours at StarFest served as a fine reminder, that nothing quite lasts forever, and while it may not be the same...our friends still make this place home, and our friends still make the experience worth every single second. 

Either way, I think yesterday, despite the fact that we now face a new era of memories and laughter, and we do it with the zest and zeal that only geeks can do, we all felt like the Tenth Doctor moments before regeneration. For as registration came down, as the atrium emptied out and the silence settled in, we all felt the change coming, we all said our own special goodbye and at some point we all uttered those important and heartbreaking words...I don't want to go.  Until next year my friends...

---