Chapter 1: Foundation and Early Manhattan Years (1957-1963)
Lunacon’s establishment in 1957 marked the beginning of one of American science fiction fandom’s most enduring regional convention series, creating essential New York area gathering that would serve fannish community for six decades while evolving from intimate single-room meetings to major multi-day conventions. The inaugural Lunacon on May 12, 1957, held in “Room 203, 213 West 53rd St” with no guests, established humble beginnings that would grow into significant regional institution serving greater New York metropolitan area.
The early years’ consistency of location at 213 West 53rd Street (1957-1963) provided stable foundation for community building while the progression of distinguished guests – Frank R. Paul (1958), Lester del Rey (1959), Ed Emshwiller (1960), Willy Ley (1961), Frederik Pohl (1962), and Judith Merril (1963) – demonstrated commitment to attracting major science fiction figures and establishing Lunacon as significant regional programming venue worthy of professional participation and community recognition.
Chapter 2: Lunarian Sponsorship and Organizational Foundation
The sponsorship by the Lunarians provided essential organizational stability and institutional continuity that enabled Lunacon’s sustained operation across six decades while maintaining connection to established New York area fannish community with deep roots and extensive networking capabilities. The Lunarians’ role demonstrates importance of stable club infrastructure in supporting long-term convention projects that require sustained volunteer commitment and institutional memory preservation.
This organizational foundation enabled Lunacon to weather various challenges including venue changes, leadership transitions, and changing fannish demographics while maintaining programming quality and community service mission. The Lunarian connection provided essential continuity that distinguished Lunacon from conventions dependent on temporary organizing committees without permanent institutional backing and community accountability.
Chapter 3: Hotel Era Transition and Manhattan Venue Evolution
The transition from single-room meetings to hotel conventions beginning with the Hotel Edison (1965-1966) represented crucial evolution that enabled expanded programming, increased attendance, and enhanced facilities while maintaining New York City accessibility and urban convention atmosphere. The progression through prestigious Manhattan hotels – Roosevelt (1967), Park Sheraton (1968), McAlpin (1969-1970), Commodore (1971, 1975), and Statler-Hilton (1972-1974, 1976) – demonstrated Lunacon’s growing prominence and financial sustainability.
This Manhattan hotel period (1965-1977) established Lunacon as major regional convention while featuring distinguished guests including Isaac Asimov (1966), James Blish (1967), Don Wollheim (1968), John W. Campbell (1971), Theodore Sturgeon (1972), Harlan Ellison (1973), Forrest J Ackerman (1974), and Brian Aldiss (1975). The quality of guest programming during this period positioned Lunacon among premier regional conventions while maintaining distinctive New York character and urban sophistication.
Chapter 4: Suburban Expansion and New Jersey Years
The 1978 move to Hasbrouck Heights, New Jersey, represented strategic adaptation to changing convention economics and attendee preferences while maintaining New York metropolitan area accessibility through convenient transportation connections. This suburban transition enabled larger facilities, parking availability, and cost efficiencies that supported expanded programming while preserving community character and regional identity that distinguished Lunacon from competing conventions.
The Sheraton Hasbrouck Heights period (1978, 1980-1987) provided stable venue foundation while featuring notable guests including Robert Bloch and Nobel laureate Rosalyn S. Yalow (1978), Larry Niven (1980), Anne McCaffrey and Don & Elsie Wollheim (1983), Terry Carr (1984), Gordon R. Dickson (1985), and Jack Williamson (1987). This suburban era demonstrated successful adaptation while maintaining programming excellence and community service mission.
Chapter 5: Tarrytown Excellence and Peak Programming Period
The Tarrytown Marriott years (1986-1991, with brief exception) represented Lunacon’s peak period of facilities quality and programming sophistication, featuring exceptional guest lineups including Madeleine L’Engle (1986), Harry Harrison (1988), Roger Zelazny (1989), Tom Doherty and Katherine Kurtz (1990), and an extraordinary 1991 program featuring John Brunner, Frank Kelly Freas, Hal Clement, Ian & Betty Ballantine, and Gerald Feinberg.
This period established Lunacon as premier regional convention capable of attracting major publishing figures, renowned authors, and distinguished artists while providing excellent facilities and programming coordination. The Tarrytown era demonstrated successful convention management during science fiction’s expanding commercial success while maintaining community focus and fannish culture celebration.
Chapter 6: Rye Brook Stability and Modern Convention Development
The extended Rye Town Hilton period (1992-2004, 2007-2014) provided unprecedented venue stability that enabled consistent programming development and community expectations while featuring distinguished guests across science fiction’s expanding diversity. Notable programming included Terry Pratchett (1996), Octavia Butler (1998), Vernor Vinge (1999), Nancy Kress (2001), Spider and Jeanne Robinson (2003), and Christopher Moore (2007).
This stability period demonstrated mature convention management while adapting to changing fannish demographics and interests through diverse programming that encompassed traditional science fiction, fantasy literature, gaming, and emerging media. The Rye Brook years established consistent quality expectations while maintaining regional character and community accessibility that defined Lunacon’s distinctive identity within competitive convention environment.
Chapter 7: Wollheim Scholarship and Educational Mission
The long-standing book raffle for the Wollheim Scholarship represented Lunacon’s commitment to educational mission and community service that extended beyond entertainment programming to support science fiction education and literary development. This scholarship program honored Donald A. Wollheim’s contributions to science fiction publishing while providing practical support for educational pursuits related to science fiction studies and creative writing.
The scholarship fundraising through book raffles demonstrated innovative approach to combining community fundraising with programming enhancement while honoring fannish heritage and supporting future generations of science fiction readers and creators. This educational mission distinguished Lunacon from purely entertainment-focused conventions while maintaining community service emphasis that reflected broader fannish values of education and cultural development.
Chapter 8: Guest Programming Excellence and Industry Recognition
Lunacon’s exceptional guest programming throughout its sixty-year history featured comprehensive representation of science fiction’s major figures including founding editors (John W. Campbell, Don Wollheim), pioneering authors (Isaac Asimov, Hal Clement, Theodore Sturgeon), contemporary masters (Harlan Ellison, Roger Zelazny, Terry Pratchett), and distinguished artists (Frank R. Paul, Ed Emshwiller, Frank Kelly Freas, Michael Whelan), demonstrating sustained ability to attract industry’s most significant contributors.
The programming diversity encompassed multiple generations of science fiction creators while featuring Nobel laureates (Rosalyn S. Yalow), publishing innovators (Ian & Betty Ballantine, Tom Doherty), and emerging talents, creating comprehensive educational experience that served both fannish community and broader public interested in science fiction’s development and contemporary status. This programming excellence established Lunacon’s reputation as essential regional convention worthy of professional participation and industry recognition.
Chapter 9: Venue Evolution and Geographic Adaptation
Lunacon’s multiple venue changes throughout its history – from Manhattan’s West 53rd Street through prestigious hotels to suburban facilities in New Jersey, Connecticut, and New York suburbs – demonstrated exceptional adaptability and strategic planning that maintained community service while adapting to changing economic conditions, transportation patterns, and attendee preferences. Each venue transition preserved essential programming quality while enhancing facilities and accessibility.
The geographic mobility illustrated sophisticated understanding of regional convention dynamics and demographic changes that required flexible approaches to venue selection and programming coordination. Lunacon’s success across diverse venues demonstrated strong organizational capabilities and community loyalty that transcended specific locations while maintaining regional identity and character that attracted consistent attendance and volunteer support.
Chapter 10: Legacy and Conclusion (2017-2018)
Lunacon’s conclusion after sixty years of continuous operation (1957-2017, with brief 1964 cancellation) represents end of significant era in regional convention history while leaving substantial legacy of community service, programming excellence, and organizational innovation that influenced generation of convention organizers and established important precedents for regional convention development and sustainability. The 2018 cancellation marked final chapter of remarkable institutional achievement.
The Lunacon legacy encompasses successful adaptation to changing fannish culture, venue economics, and community needs while maintaining consistent programming quality and educational mission that served New York metropolitan area’s diverse fannish community across six decades of science fiction’s dramatic evolution and mainstream cultural acceptance. The convention’s sustained success demonstrated viability of regional conventions as essential fannish institutions while establishing models for community service, educational programming, and organizational continuity that continue to influence contemporary convention development and fannish community building. Lunacon’s sixty-year achievement represents exceptional institutional longevity and community commitment that deserves recognition as major contribution to American science fiction fandom’s development and cultural preservation.
Leave a Reply