jca@abnji.UUCP (james armstrong) (02/26/85)
The Whovian Festival, Valley Forge Convention Center, 23-24 February, 1985
Guests: Colin Baker, John Nathan-Turner
This convention was one of the more successful conventions put on by the
Doctor Who Fan Club of America. Although it was their first effort at a
two day con, the show was (fairly) well organized and put forward in a
fashion corresponding to the best interests of the fans.
Tickets were $15 for a deluxe ticket (giving you a button, poster, autograph,
and prefered seating) and $10 for general admission. Very good ticket sales
meant that all expenses were covered in the first day.
Attendance for the first day was 2600, with a total around 4000 for both days.
Colin and John arrived late Friday evening, where they attended a reception
with the staff. After some sleep, a rare commodity that weekend, the staff
were ready to begin.
Much work was put in Saturday morning to prepare the convention room for the
arrival of the guests. Most of the staff had gathered there by 6:30. Dealers
tables had to be set up and ticket taking prepared.
When doors opened at around 9:20, the only place open was the dealer's room.
In addition to common Doctor Who/Star Trek/Blake's 7 products, some dealers
had rare items for sale. (Of which, I could afford none!) The new DWFCA
exhibit was on show, featuring a pictoral history of the show, rare British
merchandise, and several masks from the show.
The show featured a talk session with Colin & John, where they talked about
the future of the show. Three different videos were shown, all from the new
season. (As a result of one, I ought to change my top five for the poll!)
"Attack of the Cybermen" was shown both days, "Vengeance on Varos" was shown
on Saturday and "Mark of the Rani" was shown on Sunday. I was able to see
the first two, but will not give (many) more spoilers!
There was also an autograph session both days. Everybody in attendance
Saturday who wanted an autograph got one. This took around 3.5-4 hours
and resulted in two guests with very sore hands. Sunday, Colin had to
leave early to catch a plane back to Britain, so autographs were restricted
to deluxe ticket holders. In spite of the restriction, not everybody got
one, so TDWFCA took people's names and addresses so that Colin can send one
on from Britain.
(Colin's early departure is because his wife is overdue. By the time you read
this he may already be a father.)
There were also trivia contests, custume contests, and an auction.
All in all, a good time was had by all.
--
James C Armstrong, Jnr. { ihnp4 || allegra || mcnc || cbosgb } !abnji!jca
"No problem, those without valid work permits can be shipped off to the
eastern labour camps."
"I'll put your interesting suggestion to the Praesideum"
"Naturally, should any special funding be necessary..."
"Most generous. Of course, the irony is that while you have been closing
plants here in the west, you have been opening them in the east, so they will
be working for you again, only this time, without pay!"
"I hadn't thought of that." "Of course not"