Hal-Con Sci-Fi

I went to Hal-​con for the first time last year and loved it. This year we got a weekend pass and were so excited but honestly, I spent most of the con stressed out. The way things were laid out this year were confusing, they should have had things labeled a little better. I ran into so many people trying to find the exit who were lost. Volunteers were not that helpful either. We had one tell us where a line for a panel was that wasn’t even the right panel and our first experience arriving there was a volunteer who was rude because we didn’t know where the entrance was and he gave us attitude. I told him to lose the attitude because things are different this year and people don’t know. I know they wanted to make sure everyone who got in actually paid to be there but they checked our bracelets on each level, so even just going on the escalator they would basically yell at you to show your bracelet. The vendor area was way too crowded and people being dumb didn’t help… Stopping to take photos in the middle of a crowded area and telling me I can wait didn’t leave me a happy camper. The only up side to me are the Q&A’s with actors. I absolutely loved Paul Amos and Kris Holden-​Reid. They were hilarious beyond belief and made the con worth it for me. So guess I am a negative Nancy but don’t think I will be bothering going to hal-​con next year. I will spend my money somewhere else.

Fun Convention for one and all that are nerdy To Star Trek, To My Little Pony, To Dungeons and Dragons to everything else, It’s a meeting of Vendors/​Collectors/​Cosplayers/​Photographers and just anyone who enjoys their guilty pleasure of being in a fandom come togather and get their Geek on.
I must admit, It does lose a star due to couple of reasons such as
A. Possible of overbooking/​overselling tickets when theres not enough space and has kicked people out/​denied people coming in/​returning back due to this reason
B. Its sad to say that the planner for the vendors [such as the person who pencils in vendors for venue tables] can be both bias, given some vendors the run around or neglected returning contact despite getting in previous years/​made sure they submitted their vendor table early
C. When it first was offically spoken about, the new convention center caused a lot of confusion and problems for both vendors/​work staff and hopefully everything was smoothed out
D. Unless you get your early bird special, it will be very difficult to get tickets espically if they sell out online and you don’t know where all sells them [I bieleve Monster Comic Lounge and I think [don’t quote] Games People Play sell them but thats it, there’s no indication of where and who they gave tickets to such as a list of businesses to try there if you can’t get any online.
Also keep in mind of line ups, parking issues and delays due to traffic and that if you see something you want at a vendor GRAB IT WHILE IT’S THERE things will disappear quickly

My first time going to Hal-​Con was in 2011 and it changed my life forever! I was pretty outgoing but still wasn’t sure who I was as a person; not until I met the folks at Hal-​Con! Not only is this a 100% fan-​run and sponsor-​supported event, but they have also grown double if not triple the size since I first went 4 years ago. The volunteer staff are all amazing human beings and I am proud to call most of them my friends! If you like Sci-​Fi, Fantasy, Video Games, Animé, Comics, Superheroes, Space, or really anything or any genre at all, then this is the place for you!!! Everyone is so unbelievably welcoming and willing to help if you feel you need it. I highly recommended Hal-​Con to all of my friends and family, so now I’m recommending it to you too!

I came to Halifax from Western Canada to try another con as a member of the artists alley. I make my rounds all over north america to see what the experience was like.
I tend to have two criteria of how a con is. One is as a comic and sci fi fan and con enthusiast and the other is as an artist with little credentials hoping to make an impact with the people and the companies I meet.
Attending the show, I did the show in 2011. They held the event during the Remembrance Day weekend. This end of Canada they decided most restaurants will not be open despite the fact that this event attracted thousands to the city. I am not lying when I state that finding anywhere at all to eat was extremely difficult. I honestly missed a few meals during that weekend, and I really need 3 square meals a day. They need to communicate a lot better with the city about keeping places open to grab food or hold their event during a weekend when everything in the city outside of bars are shut down. No city in north america to my knowledge regardless of the situation does that (or any I’ve been to).
What I liked about the show is there is a sense of community. The big convention in my own city, we tend to go to the con and keep to our own friends and not socialise even the nights the con is over. This con there was a dance that night it seemed everyone went to. That is friendly and being someone from way out of town, I consider that a really good idea.
Artists alley. Hum. Here was their policy: If I showed up the day before the event I would be able to pick whatever table I want. The day of the show I realised someone took that table from me. I was stuck with the only table left being in the back of the building in between two tables of artists selling art plus jewelery and stacked their materials so high I really was never seen very well coming or going from the con. I actually came and spent a lot to get to the maritimes and spent a lot to stay in a hotel only to have that miscommunication, and I didn’t break even on the table and I was initially pretty steamed. Not to mention I asked prior to the con not to put me in the back of the building and was assured that would not happen (it’s my pet peeve at any con, keep me out of that area, people avoid the back of the building as a general rule). During the event, most of the organisers or volunteers were never near me, the alley did not seem like a priority to them.
When I got home I complained to the event and was compensated. Some cons have lousy customer service. They actually took responsibility for the problem and I feel it was dealt with.
My opinion of the show is that it’s capable of being a great event, they need to work on communicating effectively with all the parties involved. I am not opposed to the idea of doing the show again, no immediate plans, but I am glad I have the experience of being in the maritimes to promote the art I love doing.

Such a wonderful event — great crowd, great costumes, great guests. This is a fantastic annual event on the Halifax calendar and I’m so glad to see it getting the response it deserves from the media and the community.
The 2012 event included a pinball game room which was amazing! Every year Hal-​Con gets bigger and better, kudos to the organizers!

This is my 2^nd year going to Hal-​Con! And let me tell you, my inner-​geek is super happy that I went. I only went for a few hours last year, mostly because my parents were visiting and I did not have an awesome well-​thought of costume.
This year, my bestie Stephanie, came down from Barrie just for Hal-​Con and I booked 3 days off for that weekend so thatI can enjoy it to the maximum without interruptions! Plus, you can’t go wrong when you dress up in a costume or cosplay your favourite character! The only downfall is that I was extremely sick and lost my voice completely that weekend!
I am defintely going back next year, I am already working on my new costume (… or two) and I am planning on NOT being sick!

I sure it can’t compare to the big ones in Calgary and Toronto, but considering the size of Halifax, this convention is amazing.
They’ll be celebrities to get photos with ($ 30 and under). Aisles of merch. Impressive demonstrations and events (the Society for Creative Anachronism puts on great Medieval fighting demos; the concert was awesome; the Halifax Circus [aerobatics] was very impressive).
There is also a whole floor dedicated to gaming (tabletop and video), there always seemed to be a free table and lots of games to choose from if you want to get a group together, or join in some Settlers of Catan or Munchkin.
Then there are more seminars than you can attend. From short-​film fests, to people just talking about their favorite Joss Whedon moments. You can pop in to learn about how to create a better D&D character, discover how Star Wars has predicted the secrects of the universe, or find out how to survive a zombie apocalypse.
Probably close to half the attendee will also be cosplaying, so do be shy, slap on some fake blood and go as zombie (and bring a camera to pose with your favorite character).
If you can’t/don’t want to attend the whole weekend, go on Saturday, you’ll have more time, and more stuff to see/​do. But if you have even a passing interest in sci-​fi, fantasy, animé, gaming; or if you just want to see some impressive costumes, then check it out.
It happens every year over a weekend in either late October or early November.

Hal-​Con year two. I left four days ago and I’m still smiling. After reneging on Unilocal coat check duties because I wanted to be able to walk around and be geeky, I nabbed a ticket via a friend early Saturday morning, and good thing, as when we arrived at 7pm, they were sold out!
My main goal at Hal-​Con was to attend the dance and to walk around and check out costumes. Due to other very unfortunate committments, I knew I’d only be able to attend Saturday night’s festivities. I dressed as Captain Vegetable which was super fun. I stopped lots of and lots of people for photo ops and only one tired Transformer said no, and that was because Boba Fett was busy with his helmet. Everyone was excited, friendly, and I met with no negative attitudes. The costumes were as impressive and amazing as the people wearing them.
Friends tried to drag me to film showings, workshops and demos (of which there were an overwhelming number), but I wouldn’t have it. I kind of just wanted to walk around in awe of the costumes, and so I did. Then I danced my hole off for 3 hours at the dance. Unfortunately by the time I arrived, the vendor area was shutting down, but I heard it was AWESOME.
I have a similar caveat as most of the other reviewers– no food or drink on site! Fortunately, Boston Pizza was the official «Hal-​contina», but it’s a five minute or so walk, and for a girl in a strapless dress, it’s a chilly walk for some whisky and fries! This is my only real complaint with this entire well-​organized event. With this change, and a possible few other small tweaks, this con could get even crazier by 2012 (attendance doubled from last year!) and attract even hotter guests (hotter than Nicholas Brendon?!)
Next year I’m clearing my schedule for the whole weekend, no questions asked. Captain Vegetable can’t fit that much geekin’ out into six hours!

Without any legitimate claim to nerd or geek status (I always admit that I am, at best, geek-​adjacent), I was a little nervous committing to a full weekend at Hal-​Con. I pictured hoards of people giving me the side-​eye whenever I gawked at their incredible costumes, or rolling their eyes when I bashfully asked questions about their hobbies.
Well, guess what? Even without knowing much about anything happening throughout the weekend, I felt 100% welcome among this crowd of misfits, I learned so much about things I didn’t even know existed (Steampunk, anyone?), and only felt weirded out whenever the furries were around. From my perspective, it was a five-​star experience with more to see and do than even our region’s largest and most popular festivals and events.
*The exhibition space hosted tons of incredible local vendors with everything from Nintendo plush toys to locally authored and illustrated books and comics, making it easy to support local shops.
*The artist aisle did the same for artisan wares from zombie brain egg holders (it makes sense when you see ‘em), to cardboard dolls of The Big Bang Theory and Jem and the Hollograms.
*Two massive games room meant easy access to just about any board, video, card or even pinball game you can imagine.
And all this is happening at the same time as countless workshops, panels, autograph signings, and interviews, not to mention my favourite activity of running up to strangers in incredible costumes and getting photos of their most epic poses. Easier than you’d think!
The few kinks: 1) ATMs were accessible but scarce, 2) not much food or drink on site, 3) and holy moly was the schedule ever overwhelming. That last one’s a good thing, but it was tough to keep tabs on everything you wanted to check out.
Well worth checking out next year!

I hugged Nicholas Brendon. I could just end my review there and be happy.
But there was so! much! more! to share. I got my wrist band the day before, which nullified my requirement to stand in line for +1.5 hours to get in. Basically shortly after I got there, I was able to go right on in and enjoy the show. A+ for this organizational treat.
I very much enjoyed how everything was divided. Artists Alley in the grand ballroom was very bright and full of awesome people. I was stoked to get my copy of Brain Camp sketched in by the author herself, Faith Erin Hicks. I was also glad to be exposed to so many other local talents, from comic artists, crafters, to leatherworkers. I was a little overwhelmed in the Vendors section, between the amount of people, narrow walkways, and so! much! shiny! It was lucky I didn’t stay lost, swooning over the giant replica-​in-​progress of a Battlestar.
Can I just take a moment and give a shout out to all those that put lots of effort and love into their costumes? I was blown away by so many nerdy tips of the hat, be it from full-​on Master Chiefs and WWI-​era Wolverines to glittery t-​shirts that decried that Joss is Boss (a sentiment I full-​heartedly endorse.)
Hal-​Con was the perfect place to pop my convention cherry. I’m glad that so many people took advantage, and I hope that it gives the organizers hope to grow Hal-​Con into something that could one day rival Toronto’s Comicon. Of course, we’d probably need that brand new convention space to accomodate such a larger event, but one can only hope that our city can grow to accomodate some awesome nerdy culture!

My very first con and I was delighted. Top notch event locale, great trades area, artists area and gamers zone. Spent the weekend and only went to two workshops but still got lots out of Halcon.
Two BIG problems with Halcon. And one of them is not about Halcon.
1) Wireless was shit. Eastlink, this is the second large event I attended that you ‘sponsored’ with free wireless. Both times it was terrible. The building is a bunker, was left using 3G that was spotty at best. Get your head out of your asses. How frikken hard is it drop wireless base stations in every room? It makes you look bad. You suck
2) Halcon. You know another way you can make money? Concessions. Frik. Set up a booth with bottled water, chips, pop, something. I don’t want to walk back and forth to the mall every two hours to have to buy water.
Other than that, see you in 2012

My first time attending a «con» of any kind, Hal-​Con was an absolute blast. Where else can you embrace your inner geek?
The merch, the panels, and oh the costumes! If you’re in Halifax when the Con is on, definitely go check it out, you’ll be glad you did.

Hal-​Con was an all around great experience. I only went for Saturday but I got to see a lot of great costumes and workshops. The «Zombie Apocalypse Survival» workshop was by far my favorite. The artist alley seemed a little under appreciated and so did the model makers. Many amazing conversations were had with model makers, artists, and con-​goers.
There should be a spot specifically for cosplayers to go for photos. I know that they probably don’t mind being stopped but having a separate place for photos would be better so they aren’t getting stopped and there’s no one running in front while you try to snap a picture.
Wi-​fi sucked unless you went to the only hotspot at the con.
There was no place to go for snacks or drinks unless you wanted to leave the convention center. If there are worries about food in certain areas have a «food only» section and ban food elsewhere.

I should start by saying that I am really not a sci-​fi or comic buff. I don’t participate in cosplay or steampunk or watch Animé in my spare time. However, I do enjoy the occasional supernatural or sci-​fi movie and tv show, and above all I can respect the creativity and passion of those that ARE sci-​fi/​comic buffs!
Hal-​Con is like the mecca for my local city’s contigent of such folks. I actually attended as a volunteer for Unilocal Halifax Saturday morning, then attended the events in the afternoon with my sister and boyfriend (who is part of the sci-​fi/​comic buff group previously mentioned), more out of curiosity than anything. I had never been to such an event before, and wanted to see what it was like.
I had SO much fun. I didn’t buy anything that the vendors were selling, and to be honest I would never really do so since (again) this stuff really isn’t my thing. However, I enjoyed looking and admiring everything so much — some of the detail and technical knowledge that goes into making the models, pictures and costumes that filled the rooms everywhere I looked was mind-​boggling. Plus the crowd was just «nice» — people were actually saying ‘excuse me’ and ‘sorry’ when they bumped into you, which was a revelation.
The real reason I attended this year was to take my sister to meet Nicholas Brendon, aka Xander Harris from Buffy the Vampire Slayer, and I succeeded! (see attached photographic proof). I totally turned into a dorky superfan upon meeting him, I am not even going to lie. Even though the meeting was about 1 minute from start-​to-​finish (hello, photo, goodbye) it was still the highlight of my day. I mean, come on, what person who was a teenager in the mid-​to-​late 90’s did NOT watch Buffy and want live in it?! (No? Just me? Oh… ok)
The event seemed super busy and the crowd seemed to be enjoying everything, so I would say kudos to the organizers. This looks good for next year! Even though I had no idea what 90% of the costumes or references were, I still had a great time.