Science-fiction enthusiasts from around the nation and the world (maybe even other planets) converged on Chicago’s Hyatt Regency Hotel for the World Science Fiction Convention, Worldcon 70 (Chicon 7), from Aug. 30- Sept. 3.

During the few days I was there, the science fiction community took over the Chicago hotel. The convention is called Chicon 7 because it is the seventh time that Worldcon has been held in Chicago. Last year’s conference was held in Reno, NV, and next year’s venue will be held in San Antonio, Texas (LoneStarcon 3- Worldcon 71). Worldcon is held each year in a different city and is the go to convention for anything science- fiction.

I worked at a Chicon booth that featured the books The Immune and The Zombie Cause Dictionary by Doc Lucky Meisenheimer. The experience I had at the convention was amazing. I met all different types of people, mostly in costumes, and they were all inviting and friendly.

The following days where filled with workshops, trips, book signings, visits to the dealers room and frank room, dances (including the Masquerade Dance and Geek Prom), film festivals and award ceremonies. I went to all of the above except the dances, which were for 21+ adults.

One WorldCon 70 highlight was the presentation of the Hugo awards. The Hugos, voted and presented by the science fiction community, recognize the best science fiction writers, illustrators, fans and film directors. The awards are named after Hugo Gernsback, who started the science fiction magazine Amazing Stories. Hugos have been awarded since 1955.

The winners of each category receive a trophy of a space ship (otherwise known as a Hugo).

Sitting towards the back of the ballroom, I watched authors, writers and artists walk up the stairs to claim their award. I thought about how they must feel, winning an award for something that they had written or made.

The days leading up to the Hugo awards were exciting and adventurous. Since I was working a booth in the dealers room I met lots of interesting people. I met artists and authors (some of whom would later win Hugos).  I met publishers, Cosplayers, sword sellers, Filkers, Trekkies, Whovians, Zombies, Fans of Stargate, Star Wars, Lord of the Rings, Hunger Games and so many more people. The Science Fiction Convention was highly diverse, yet everyone treated each other without judgment and with kindness, almost as if we were all one big family.