I’m thinking something like vintage computing, Linux/BSD, makers. Not limited to those, but not things that are more fandom focused like comic con or anime. Maybe video games, if it’s more indie, less corporate. No shade intended for fandoms. I’ve done a few comic cons and what I’ve learned is it’s not that enjoyable for me.
I live in one of the four corners states. But it doesn’t necessarily have to be in a Western US state. It’s more about travel costs. Like it’d probably cost me about the same to go somewhere in the midwest as it would to Los Angeles. More expensive flight (but still fairly cheap) but lower costs for food and lodging. East coast or Mexico/Canada are probably out of the question, those flight costs are a bit too high for me to justify.
Some context: I did Vintage Computer Festival Southwest (VCFSW) last year, and I really enjoyed it. Going again this year. And I would love to find some others with similar vibes, but don’t know where to look. I found a handful of different searchable convention lists and searched for VCFSW on each of them as a litmus test, which they all failed.
Renaissance fairs all over the midwest.
There’s one in my neck of the woods too. And I’ve gone before. Been a while though, didn’t even occur to me as an option. Thanks for reminding me!
Are there any you’ve gone to in the Midwest that you thought were particularly exceptional?
I’ve only been to the Saint Louis ren faire but I hear from friends that have been to both StL and Kansas City, MO ren faires that the KC one is bigger and better. StL’s was vastly improved by moving from August to October. August + river valley at the confluence of several large rivers = swamp boil.
If you make it over to Portland they have the Retro Gaming Expo! Lots of indie developers and they have a hardcore scene for old tech. Lots of vintage hardware with passionate programmers and game designers
That does appeal to my interests! And I love Portland and have some friends that live there too. I’ll try to make that happen.
It’s a great time for sure!
Rocky Mountain RepRap Festival - a 3D printing focused maker convention in Loveland, CO
California Extreme - a pinball and arcade game show, with all machines in free play mode, held in Santa Clara, CA
DEF CON - in Las Vegas, NV
DundraCon - an RPG-focused gaming convention, also in Santa Clara, CA
KublaCon - a board & tabletop game convention, now held twice a year in Burlingame, CA
Maker Faire Bay Area - maker fair held in Vallejo, CA
Golden State Pinball Convention - pinball convention held in Lodi, CA
Thanks for all the recommends!
California Extreme looks cool! I live not too far from a retro barcade and it scratches this itch a little. I bet I’d enjoy this. I’ll keep an eye on it.
I do like board games and tabletop RPG’s. Not sure if I do enough to travel out to one of those but it made me think there are probably some in my neck of the woods I could check out, and indeed there are. So, still helpful!
I think I would love DEF CON. But the price of admission is pretty steep. But that helped me remember a friend telling me about SAINTCON. Also a Cybersecurity convention, in Provo Utah. Not cheap, but about half the cost of DEF CON. Provo is most certainly not Vegas. But I don’t need it to be. I can go to Vegas pretty much anytime. Was just there this past weekend, in fact.
Fandom, but video game & niche focused: VGM Con is coming up in April. It’s in the Minneapolis area, and caters to indie game composers & fan music projects. A lot of good, but smalltime talent involved and hugely community-focused. Most of the event is live performance sets, some technical panels and workshops. :)
This looks awesome! Thanks for the recommend.
In fairness, before I speak to it. I haven’t been to any type of gaming con/expo, big or small. But I’ve seen pictures and some video of PAX and it gives me the same kind of vibes as comic con, which made me iffy on those types of events.
Your description piqued my interest so I checked them out. I want to go! A month is a bit too soon (just got back from a trip) but I set myself a calendar reminder to check it out next year.
Edit to add: The con is April 17 – 19 @ Crowne Plaza for any curious passersby.