Hal-Con Sci-Fi, Fantasy & Comic Convention, commonly known as Hal-Con, was founded in the 1970s and revived in the 2010s. It is traditionally an annual weekend event held in Halifax, Nova Scotia in Atlantic Canada during the middle of fall.
Originally showcasing comic books, games, science fiction/fantasy and film/television, and related popular arts, it has grown to encompass the full spectrum of geekdom, including comic books, science fiction, fantasy, gaming, science fantasy, Renaissance, anime, furry, cyber goth, cosplay, and anything else of the fantastical while still having enough appeal for even the most casual fan. The gathering includes entertainment for most tastes from music, stage show, and small social gaming circles, and the chance to rub elbows with the famous and infamous of geek pop-culture.
Activities and events
Celebrity Q&A sessions
Autograph and photo booths
Guest lectures
Authors readings
Anime and video rooms
Artist alley
Charity auction
Specialty vendors
Discussion panels
Masquerade dance
Costume contest
Dressing in costume
Gaming demonstrations, tournaments and play
Community involvement
Year round events
Hal-Con is active in the HRM community, promoting both the convention and Geek Culture. They hold events throughout the year leading up to the convention. These events include BBQs, dances, movie nights, game days, and they even participate in local parades and zombie walks with the help of fans.
Community parades
Hal-Con loves to participate in community celebrations - especially parades. Below is a sample list of the parades and awards won in parades around Halifax Regional Municipality.
Hal-Con also hosts and organizes their own Halloween parade (2012–present).
Charity
Hal-Con is active in charity events. Each year they host a live charity auction at the convention as well as numerous silent auctions with profits going to the IWK Children's Hospital and Kids Help Phone. They also participate with local groups such as Let It Roll, The Board Room Game Cafe, Cape and Cowl Collectibles and Gelatinous Dudes, to help with numerous charity fund-raising events with the funds going to local children groups, IWK Children's Hospital, Kids Help Phone, special needs camps, and Japan Disaster Relief.
In the first five years (2010–2015), they raised over $45,000 for charity.
Awards
2016: The Coast, Best Of: Best Place to Volunteer (Bronze) [1]
2015: The Coast, Best Of: Best Place to Volunteer (Silver) [2]
2014: The Coast, Best Of: Best Festival (Bronze) [4]
Mascot
The Hal-Con mascot is named Nelson, which is a robot shaped like the Halifax Town Clock. The mascot is seen on Hal-Con promotional material and appears at every community event possible, as well as at the convention itself. Since the introduction of the mascot costume Nelson has appeared in numerous parades, played Laser Tag, avoided the undead in the Halifax Zombie Walk, and even ran a 10k marathon for charity.
An origin story for the mascot of Nelson explains how an alien from the planet Teebius named Nee comes to Earth, befriends a mouse named Zipper, makes a home with Zipper in a "Liveable Space Operating Node" (LSON) Robot, and decides to combine his name with the Robot's to become "Nelson".[5]
In 2015 the Hal-Con website was redesigned, and the origin story was not included with the new website. However, on the new website is an entry for Nelson on the Hal-Con About Us web page, which provides a smaller description for the mascot:
Nelson, originally named Nee, is the robot of fun. Hailing from Teebius, Nelson decided his time would be better spent as Hal-Con’s mascot because the world on our side of the galaxy intrigued him more than his own. He grew up watching our TV shows and can quote every line from the gone-too-soon series Seaquest DSV. In his down time, Nelson likes to share a bowl of cereal with his BFF and roommate, a mouse named Zipper.
Hal-Con has a long history in Halifax, and was running annually for many years from the late 1970s through the 1980s. The convention began at Dalhousie University's School of Library Service as HalyCon I, and it was held on March 17, 1977. Then in 1978, the Halcon Science Fiction Society was launched by Bob Atkinson, John Bell, Sheldon Goldman, George Allanson, and Chris Kolovaris and the convention was renamed "Halcon" for Halcon II held March 9–11, 1979.[6] Since Halcon came about as a result of Halycon, the numbering continued from the original event. Halcon II featured Ben Bova and Spider & Jeanne Robinson as guests. Then Halcon 3 was held in 1980 with author A.E. van Vogt as the featured guest, and the convention continued to be held annually until 1987. Halcon 10 was held in 1987 at The Westin Nova Scotian Hotel, and it would be the last Halcon until 2010.
The new
In 2010 the Hal-Con convention underwent a spiritual revival. The new Halcon, now called "Hal-Con", took the meaning of the old convention, the want to bring like-minded people together for fun, but did it under entirely new management and with modern convention practices. The official organizing committee is made up of volunteers who want nothing more than to make a successful convention in Atlantic Canada. Planning for the 2010 convention began in 2008, and was able to bring in nearly 1500 attendees to the Lord Nelson Hotel in Halifax. Since 2010 the convention has grown steadily, having had to move its venue after its first year, and was in the World Trade and Convention Centre and Scotiabank Centre in downtown Halifax until 2017. In 2018 the convention moved to the Halifax Convention Center, where it is currently held.[7]
The first convention was well attended, with more people than expected coming through the doors. Actor and wrestler Robert Maillet was also in attendance during the convention. He spent the weekend signing autographs and posing for pictures with fans while enjoying the events at the convention.
The venue expanded to nearly 30,000sqft and was two floors. Attendance more than doubled, despite the change to a 2-day format. The finalist in the Munchkin tournament will be playing their final match against Munchkin creator Steve Jackson (US game designer). The annual KAG Kanada Grand Assembly was hosted at Hal-Con.
The venue expanded to a third floor and moved back to the 3 day format. Gaming aspect of convention is largest in the Maritimes. There was a concert and a small scale film festival. There was a renewal of wedding vows that was overseen by John Rhys-Davies.
The attendance surpassed 2012 numbers, but overcrowding led to the Office of the Fire Marshall to step in and shut down entry, denying entry to hundreds. Refunds were issued to those affected. The cause was due to confusion of the daily passes as the passes themselves were not defined on which day they were for.[8]
A successful fifth year without any overcrowding issues by switching to specific day passes for single day tickets. Chosen by Wizards of the Coast to host an exclusive scenario through the Adventurers League program for the first time called ‘Tyranny in Phlan.’[9]
This year expands to add another 20,000+ sq ft to the existing 50,000+ sq ft to the event space. This brought in more artists/exhibitors in addition to increased space for gaming and special activities on site. Ticket prices remained the same, despite the increase in space.
2016
November 4–6
World Trade and Convention Centre and Scotiabank Centre
This year was the last planned for this venue before moving to the new Halifax Convention Convention, however construction delays meant staying in the existing facility.
2017
September 22–24
World Trade and Convention Centre and Scotiabank Centre
There were plans for the event to move to the new Halifax Convention Centre, however construction delays meant staying at the World Trade and Convention Centre and Scotiabank Centre. Hal-Con will also host the Prix Aurora Awards this year.
Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Hal-Con was forced to cancel in 2020.
2021
October 23-24
Halifax Convention Centre
Jordyn Bochon, Julian Smith, Nick Morris, Conundrum Press, Tim Carpenter, Julian Mortimer Smith, Alison House, Jo Tregiari, Steve Vernon, Brandon Mitchell, Lee Sawler, Rebecca Harrison, Nikki Aucoin, Hilari Ann, Ali House
With some restrictions still in place due to the pandemic, Hal-Con focused on local artists and celebrities this year. Michelle Bryan had to cancel.
