Allegiance to any sort of cultural gathering often seems sporadic, our hyperactive minds grazing the stalks of culture and moving on when we spy unspoiled pastures.
But for Rose Beetem, MileHiCon is practically a lifelong obsession. She first attended the science-fiction, fantasy and horror convention in 1969 – the year it was founded.
“My sister is coming up from Houston this year for it,” said Beetem, 52. “But it’s also a big family reunion of people who don’t happen to share blood.”
It helps that Beetem is program director for the Denver-based convention, the region’s largest for devotees of fantastical literary genres. MileHiCon, which is expected to draw 80 authors and 1,000 fans this year, focuses on the written word over flashy, consumer-driven media fetes like San Diego’s Comic-Con or Denver’s Starfest.
Beetem and the other fans returning to MileHiCon 39 at the Hyatt Regency Tech Center this weekend certainly enjoy those other events; they just relish MileHiCon’s unique format.
The convention thrives on interactivity with sci-fi’s reigning writers, whether through panel discussions or chance encounters on the floor. Authors and artists like David Weber, Chelsea Quinn Yarbro, Ed Bryant, Frank Wu and David Hedison will head up this year’s festivities.
“It’s easy for people to get enamored by all the stuff you see on TV and movies, and I love that too,” said chairwoman Linda Nelson. “But you read because your mind comes up with even more fantastic things than they can in the media.”
Nelson, 53, has been attending MileHiCon since age 15. She realizes that despite its longevity, it’s vital to attract new audiences. This year the convention features events like Avistrum’s School of Magic, a Harry Potter-esque, kid-friendly instructional series that takes over the 12th floor of the Hyatt Regency.
The usual trappings that one associates with sci-fi conventions are also there: robot death matches, anime film screenings, 24-hour gaming and masquerade competitions. The program guide even includes this nerd-alert warning: “No lasers more powerful than OSHA class 3 are allowed … any prop weapon must have a sheath, sling, codpiece or other container.”
But the plethora of authors and panels sets MileHiCon apart from similar events like New Mexico’s Bubonicon.
“What’s unique is the sheer number of writers that get added every year,” said Connie Willis, a Greeley-based author who has attended MileHiCon for the last 30 years. “And I’m not talking about people that self-publish their own books, but real authors.”
Willis, a prolific writer who has won nine Hugo Awards and six Nebula Awards, said the diversity of topics keeps her coming back, even if MileHiCon gets misinterpreted as a standard geek-fest from time to time.
“The problem is that every time we do one of these people will say, ‘Oh, we saw people in Klingon costumes,’ and that’s there, and it’s fun too,” Willis said. “But there’s lots more. It’s a great place to ask your favorite writer a question. There are panels about the craft of writing, how to get published, the history of science fiction, or even global warming.”
MileHiCon will likely enjoy a higher profile next year, not only because it turns 40 but because the World Science Fiction Convention takes over Denver in August, just weeks before MileHiCon.
Linda Nelson welcomes it but notes that MileHiCon’s strengths remain its ability to transcend the passive, glassy-eyed experience of other sci-fi-themed fests.
“We want people to participate as opposed to just buying a ticket and being entertained,” she said. “That’s why we’ve been able to maintain that intimacy all these years, even as we’ve grown.”
John Wenzel: 303-954-1642 or jwenzel@denverpost.com
Milehicon Sci-fi, fantasy and horror literary convention. Hyatt Regency Tech Center, 7800 E. Tufts Ave. Friday-Sunday. $18-$40. 303-426-0806 or .
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MENOMENA Music by this indie rock band (pictured above) is fiercely melodic and ridiculously catchy. It plays Sunday night at the Fox in Boulder. Also there: The Shaky Hands.
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— Ricardo Baca
