PhringeCon

Science Fiction Convention
Name:	PhringeCon
Dates:	July 11-13, 1980, also in June 5-7, 1981
Frequency:
Location:	Phoenix, AZ
Type:	fan-run
Focus:	multimedia
Organization:
Founder:
Founding Date:
URL:
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PhringeCon held in Phoenix, Arizona in 1980 and 1981.

cover of the 1980 program book, Lela Dowling

flyer for 1980

It may be related to Ivan Cook's Star Trek and Science Fiction Convention.

Con Report: 1980

Fringe [sic] Con 1 was held in Phoenix, Arizona on July 11 - 13, 1980. Besides Walter Koenig, the guest list included George Takei, Bjo Trimble, Shirley Maiewski and Stan Lee. Walter was at the con on Saturday the 12th along with George Takei.

During the convention, Walter gave a speech in which he discussed the ST movie and answered various questions. He also talked a little about his delightful new book, Chekov's Enterprise. During his speech he said there were no plans at that time for a sequel. to the movie and Paramount had asked Gene Roddenberry to leave his office at the studio. This was, of course, very disappointing news for everyone. Walter said this was the first convention he had ever reported such bad news.

The costume contest was held later in the day. Most of the costumes were creative and showed good workmanship. The costumes were judged using Walter's system of scoring.

Throughout the day Walter signed autographs and talked with the fans. He was very popular with the fans and was largely responsible for the success of Pringe [sic] Con 1!!

1981

June 5-7 in Phoenix, Arizona.

Guests were to have been James Doohan, Theodore Sturgeon, and Jesco Von Puttkamer among others. Jimmy Doohan was hospitalized following a heart attack and could not come, so Walter Koenig took his place on all three days, and Nichelle Nichols stopped in to help and attended the final day.

Con Report: 1981

Phringe Con 2, held June 5-7 in Phoenix, Arizona, was truly an enjoyable convention.

Scheduled guests were James Doohan, Theodore Sturgeon, and Jesco Von Puttkamer among others. However, Jimmy Doohan was hospitalized following a heart attack and could not come, so Walter attended all three days of the con for him. Nichelle Nichols also stopped in to help and attended the final day of the con. She proved to be very popular with the audience who enjoyed her many amusing stories and her tremendous amount of enthusiasm.

Walter was also much loved by the audiences. He spoke at least once on all three days and during the speeches, he seemed to take great delight in withholding from the crowd vital facts concerning the sequel. (No amount of wheedling by his curious fans could pry the information from him.) He also could be seen strolling about the convention grounds, or in the dealer's room, continuously signing autographs and talking with fans.

Other activities at the con went very well. The costume contest had many imaginative entries and was well received. The video room was always filled to capacity and the dealer's room had a good variety of items to buy. One other nice thing that happened was that the Con Comm took pictures of the various activities during the convention, formed a scrapbook, which everyone signed, and then gave it to Jimmy Doohan for him to enjoy.