Balticon, Maryland Regional Science Fiction Convention Web Page

The Maryland Regional Science Fiction and Fantasy Convention

Memorial Day Weekend May 22-25, 2009
At Marriott's Hunt Valley Inn, Baltimore, MD

Ghost of Honor:

Edgar Allan Poe

2008 Compton Crook Award Winner:

Mark L. Van Name

2009 Compton Crook Award Winner:

TBA

Click here for more information about our Guests of Honor...

BALTICON 43 SCHEDULE:

We have made the Balticon 43 Pocket Schedule available online.

A Four Day, 24-hours-a-day Extravaganza!

Over 300 Hours of Multi-Track Programming featuring authors, publishers, editors, artists, scientists, musicians and other creative SF luminaries. Join over a thousand SF fans for the area's largest and longest running convention of its kind! Visit our huge art show, dealer's room, concerts, dances, gaming room, computer room and video room. Everything Science Fiction and Fantasy in one huge package.

HOURS OF OPERATION:

Most areas of the convention will close at 3:00am each night with the exception of Anime, Video, Filk and the Frankie & Vinnie's Con-suite. These will be open 24 hours a day or as close to that as our volunteers can manage.

REGISTRATION:

Membership rates are

Full Weekend: $60.00 for adults and $30.00 for children (age 6-12)

On-line registration is now available!

Pre-registration is also available by mail. Please send name, address, email address & phone number with payment to:

Balticon 43, PO Box 686, Baltimore, MD 21203-0686 or click here for membership form.

Single day registration rates are now available!

Single Day Rates (at the door only):

Friday: $29 Adult / $15 Child
Saturday: $41 Adult / $22 Child
Sunday: $36 Adult / $18 Child
Monday: $15 Adult / $8 Child
Sunday/Monday: $46 Adult / $23 Child
Monday (Teachers for AboutSF Teachers Workshop only): $11
Balticon 44 Early Registration: $44 Adult / $22 Child
Active duty military receive free one-day membership on Monday

GROUP RATE FOR MEMBERSHIPS:

Buy ten memberships at one time of one type and get the eleventh free. Must provide names and addresses and pay with one check or credit card transaction. Great for fan clubs, family groups or circles of friends. Buy 20 and get two free. For details write registration@bsfs.org or use mail in form. This offer is ONLY available by MAIL. This offer can NOT be completed online.

If you have already pre-registered, you may now check your status online. Please allow five (5) business days for online pre-registration and ten (10) business days for pre-registrations sent in via postal mail. To check the status of your pre-registration, please use our Am I Registered? page.

Balticon Podcasts! There will be Podcasting during Balticon 43, if you need some information before arriving at the con, or if you want to listen to our recent podcast interviews, check out our web site: www.balticonpodcast.org .

HOTEL:

To be held at Marriott's Hunt Valley Inn in Hunt Valley Maryland.

According to its web site, as of 30 April 2009, the hotel has no rooms remaining available for Friday or Saturday. You can still make a reservation at the hotel's regular rates but only for Sunday of the main convention nights.

For reservations, call: 800-228-9290

You can also make reservations online and find directions and other hotel information at the Hunt Valley Marriott Web site: http://www.marriott.com/hotels/travel/bwihv-baltimore-marriott-hunt-valley-inn/

The hotel's local phone number is: 410-785-7000

For any questions please email: hotel@balticon.org.

TRAVEL TO MARRIOTT'S HUNT VALLEY INN:

Directions from Baltimore-Washington International Airport:

Find and take I-95 or I-295 North. Follow the from Points South info below.

From Pennsylvania and Points North:

Take I-95 South to I-695. Take the I-695 exit West towards Towson. From I-695, take the I-83 exit North towards York, PA. Then follow directions below. Or if you prefer, use the Pennsylvania Turnpike to cross Pennsylvania to Harrisburg and then take I-83 south to the exit 20A, for Shawan Road East. Some folks prefer the ride on the Turnpike and you can pick it up from many spots as it crosses most of southern Pennsylvania.

From Washington, DC and Points South:

Take I-95 North until you reach I-695. Take the left-lane exit North towards Towson onto I-695. From I-695, take I-83 North towards York, PA. and then see below.

Once you've taken the I-83 North Exit from I-695:

Five miles North of the I-695/I-83 interchange is exit 20A, for Shawan Road East. Take this exit, the hotel is at the bottom of the ramp on the right.

Parking:

Free parking around the hotel on all sides. Huge free parking lots on the east side of the hotel. Parking lots could hold three times normal Balticon attendance and it is all free. Do remember to lock your cars and hide valuables though, even though we are outside the urban area; please take the precautions typical of a suburban shopping mall's parking lot. Did we mention the parking is FREE?

Public Transportation:

Light Rail runs to the Hunt Valley Mall (across and up the street from our hotel) in the northern direction, and to BWI in the southern direction. The transfers, however, are not entirely obvious and are subject to change with the double track expansion. There are two stations you might use. The station at Hunt Valley is at the intersection of Shawan Road and York Road, which is about 3 blocks from the hotel. Call the hotel to ask them to pick you up and if the van is available, they will. Otherwise from that station you'll need to walk 3 blocks west on Shawan Road to get to the hotel and cross Shawan Road a four lane highway. The Pepper Road Station is the last stop before the Hunt Valley Station. Get off at Pepper Road and walk west on Pepper Road for one block. Look to your north west and spot the big brick hotel that does not have a sign, and that is the Hunt Valley Inn. Cross Pepper Road and then cross huge parking lots to get to the Hunt Valley Inn. This stop is closer and you don't need to cross a four lane highway. Bring a travel dolly if you have suitcases because it is a walk either way. Check with the MTA for exact rail schedule. You can also call MTA at 410-539-5000.

If you have a reservation at the hotel call once you get to the Light Rail Station to 410-785-7000 and they will pick you up. Or if you are not reserved you can call Jimmy's Cab Company at 410-296-7200 and for approximately $3.00 fare they will move you the 1500 ft to the hotel. (four football fields in length distance).

AMTRAK: Your arrival station is Penn Station (downtown Baltimore - avoid middle of night due to no light rail, check schedules). You can reach AMTRAK at 800-523-8720 or 800-872-7245. Then use light rail north to the hotel or find a taxi.

Greyhound: You will arrive in downtown Baltimore at 2110 Hains St. and then use the 27 bus to travel 0.9 mi. to the Camden Yards station, or walk 0.5 mi. to the Hamburg Street light rail stop and use Light Rail to the hotel. Check schedules to make sure you can make connections.

BWI Airport: Airport General Information: 800-435-9294 or 410-859-7100 or 410-859-7111. Use light rail or one of the Shuttle Services based at the Airport.

PARTIES:

Let's keep the fun going into the night! If you are interested in throwing a room party at Balticon 43, to support your convention, your Worldcon bid, or just because you want to invite people in to have some fun, we'd love to have you. Please email party@balticon.org for details.

VOLUNTEERS:

Balticon is an all-volunteer managed convention and we can always use more help. Show your SF community spirit by volunteering a few hours at the con. Volunteers who work more than 10 hours receive our exclusive volunteer T-shirt. Work more than 20 hours and next year's Balticon membership is comped. Sign up via email, at the convention or check the Volunteering box on the registration form.

ADVERTISING:

BSFAN:

The BSFAN is an award-winning annual publication of the Baltimore Science Fiction Society, Inc., and it features original art, original science fiction and fantasy writing, and highlights the accomplishments of program participants at the annual science fiction convention known as Balticon.

More information about advertising in BSFAN can be found here.

POLICIES:

Smoking and Pets:

Maryland law prohibits indoor public smoking except in designated smoking hotel sleeping rooms and smoking sections in the restaurant and bar.

Pets are not allowed in the hotel. Legitimate service animals are not pets.

Costume Weapons:

Costume weapons must be inspected and peace bonded. Taking costume weapons outside the hotel will create conflict; please do not take anything that looks like a weapon outside the hotel.

ACCESS:

If you require special services for ADA or other access from the convention, please contact us at adainfo@balticon.org (preferably before May 15, 2009) and we will attempt to accommodate your needs.

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