The Science Fiction Space Happening
| Convention | |
|---|---|
| Name: | The Science Fiction Space Happening |
| Dates: | 1977- |
| Frequency: | once |
| Location: | Springfield, Massachusetts |
| Type: | |
| Focus: | Space: 1999, Star Trek, science fiction |
| Organization: | The Springfield SPACE: 1999 Club and The Star Trek Club of Springfield |
| Founder: | |
| Founding Date: | 1978 |
| URL: | |
| Click here for related articles on Fanlore. | |
The Science Fiction Space Happening was a science fiction convention. There were at least three.
1977
1978
On March 6th, the second SCIENCE FICTION SPACE HAPPENING occurred in Springfield, Massachusetts. It was held at the Springfield Science Museum in the Quadrangle Complex from 12 a.m. to 6 p.m. with two showings that day. Both showings were sold out. Several films were shown including FLASH GORDON CONQUERS THE UNIVERSE, WHEN WORLDS COLLUDE, George Belies' A TRIP TO THE MOON, the documentary MARINER LANDING ON MARS. a STAR TREK episode (AMOK TIME), and a slide documentary CLOSE ENCOUNTERS OF THE FIRST KIND.Several guest speakers attended THE SCIENCE FICTION SPACE HAPPENING II, most of whom I was able to interview. Science fiction authors Frederick Pohl and Philip Jose Farmer (both featured in this issue), film consultant Nat Segaloff, author John Wallace Spencer, and UFO commentator George Earley. Pohl and Farmer gave talks on science fiction, Spencer and Earley provided a question/answer panel, and Nat Segaloff lectured on film special effects. Two NASA exhibits shown at the program were an Enterprise space shuttle display and a 3-dimensional pictorial story of the Landsat satellite project. A book fair was also held.
The Springfield SPACE:1999 Club was on hand in the production of THE SCIENCE FICTION SPACE HAPPENING II. Many local members worked as salesmen, ushers, information consultants, and such. Members thoroughly enjoyed the opportunity. [1]
1979
On March 23-25, 1979, the third annual SCIENCE FICTION SPACE HAPPENING was held in Springfield, Massachusetts. As in previous years, the HAPPENING "happened" at the Springfield Quadrangle complex. Since the first two years of THE SCIENCE FICTION SPACE HAPPENING series were sell outs, the managers of the program extended it for two days (Saturday and Sunday, the 24th and 25th) with a coctail [sic] reception the night before (Friday, the 23rd). The turn out was impressive.Many guest speakers were featured at THE SCIENCE FICTION SPACE HAPPENING III. Among them were science fiction authors Robert Adams, Ben Bova, James P. Hogan, Janet Morris, Victoria Schochet, and Robert Thurston, NASA specialist Larry Bilbrough, Space Shuttle pilot Col. Donald Peterson, Chief Investigator Allan Hendry from the Center for UFO Studies, and Drs, David Van Blerkom and William Herbst, Associate Professors of Astronomy. Interviews are in this issue. Film showings included the classic THIS ISLAND EARTH, THE MYSTERIANS, and NOVA episodes "The Universe," "The Case of the Bermuda Triangle," and "The Search for Life." Dr. J. Allen Hynek's UFO REPORT slide show could also be seen. Continuous displays at THE SCIENCE FICTION SPACE HAPPENING III featured several NASA and Smithsonian Institution exhibits (including a 1/15 scale model of the Space Shuttle), a Goddard rocketry display, and a book fair. The Hamden County Radio Association's display of audio and video broadcasting equipment was also shown.
"The Springfield SPACE: 1999 Club" lent a hand in production and operation in the SCIENCE FICTION SPACE HAPPENING III as it had in past years. Many local members, some even in costume, worked as information consultants, guides, books salesmen, ushers, and such. The program was greatly enjoyed by the public and staff alike. [2]