MarsCon in Virginia Beach, Virginia is a mid-sized regional science fiction convention founded in 1990. The convention provides a relaxed environment for people who enjoy science fiction to meet new friends and talk about their interests. The convention has been described as "the largest and longest-running science fiction/fantasy convention in the Tidewater area." History The history of MarsCon begins with an earlier convention known as Sci-Con, a well established, general science fiction convention in Virginia Beach, Virginia. In 1990 the people who worked every year to bring Sci-Con together held a low key relaxicon or "relaxing convention" for its members. After the first year, this new convention was re-christened MarsCon in honor of a long-standing fake bid to host the World Science Fiction Convention on the planet Mars in 2095. With a focus on relaxation and camaraderie, MarsCon hosts a variety of convention activities including panel discussions and workshop activities, gaming (including role-playing games, and card games), a video room with anime, a dealers room, annual tea party, auction for charity, and an art show. Conventions Upcoming MarsCon 2024 will be held January 12–14, 2024, <location TBD>. Theme: Marso's Monster Mayhem. The Guests will include Larry Correia (Writer GOH), and Mera Rose (Costuming). Past MarsCon 1996 was held January 12–14, 1996, at the George Washington Inn in Williamsburg, VA. MarsCon 1997 was held January 10–12, 1997, at the Ramada Inn Historic (formerly the George Washington Inn) in Williamsburg, VA. MarsCon 2002 was held January 11–13, 2002, at the former Ramada Inn and Conference Center in Williamsburg, VA. $1800 was raised for the Heritage Humane Society. Additionally, the Con Suite Bean Jar also raised $87 for the Police and Firefighter's 9-11 fund. MarsCon 2003 was held January 24–26, 2003 at the Clarion Hotel (formerly the Ramada Inn), Williamsburg, VA. MarsCon 2004 was held January 23–25, 2004 at the Clarion Hotel, Williamsburg, VA. The convention raised $1875 through the charity auction for the Heritage Humane Society. MarsCon 2005 was held January 21–23, 2005 at the Clarion Hotel, Williamsburg, VA. The US Military had booked rooms at the hotel and, due to a shift in scheduling, the hotel cut the 300 room block it had promised to the Con. The convention raised over $2000 for the local Heritage Humane Society. MarsCon 2006 was held January 20–22, 2006, at the Holiday Inn Patriot in Williamsburg, VA. MarsCon 2007 was held January 19–21, 2007, at