OUR JOURNEY

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Mother's Day, 2008

Keokon 1 was a one day con on Mother's Day weekend at the hotel downtown. Guests were Iowa authors Tyree Campbell, Bill Albert, and Verity Brown.

https://www.mississippivalleypublishing.com/daily_gate/news/science-fiction-convention-keokon-may-10-in-keokuk/article_1cf1739a-7b49-5432-bf6c-95dd53ad612a.html

Tyree Campbell
Tyree Campbell
Verity Brown
Verity Brown


Keokon 2 expanded to two days Thankgiving Weekend 2009. Guests were Star Trek art coordinator Christine Youngstrom, ghosthunter Barb Huyser, and author Adam Whitlatch. Adam said that he started his writing career because of attending Keokon 1. Barb Huyser passed away in 2021.

https://www.mississippivalleypublishing.com/daily_gate/news/keokon-2009/article_45cc144e-c58a-5b88-b8db-58b6954e95ba.html

Barb Huyser
Barb Huyser
Christine Youngstrom
Christine Youngstrom


Keokon 3 scaled back to one day and moved to March, 2010 at the library. We brought back authors Bill Albert, Adam Whitlatch and Verity Brown.

https://www.mississippivalleypublishing.com/daily_gate/news/sci-fi-convention-draws-enthusiasts-to-keokuk-site/article_5c1bcf47-12a8-596c-aa4a-14ce153c475e.html

Bill Albert
Bill Albert
Adam Whitlatch
Adam Whitlatch

Keokon 4 didn't happen until September, 2011. Guest of Honor was Stephonie Williams from Vinton, Iowa. Stephonie sadly passed away suddenly early in 2025.

https://www.mississippivalleypublishing.com/daily_gate/news/keokon-attracts-sci-fi-enthusiasts/article_2c431218-8206-5d0b-bfa9-1bc31a80219a.html

Stephonie Williams
Stephonie Williams

Keokon 5 came back to March, 2012. Guests were mentalist Matthew Lovecraft and the River City Paranormal Society. A 10' tall scale model Saturn 5 (make that Keokon 5) rocket stood outside the venue.

https://www.mississippivalleypublishing.com/daily_gate/news/sci-fi-lovers-pack-round-room-at-library/article_01de9748-4298-582d-8619-d85d6eff0829.html

Matthew Lovecraft
Matthew Lovecraft
Lars Pearson
Lars Pearson

Keokon 6 was March 2013 and celebrated Doctor Who's 50th with an actual TARDIS prop! Lars Pearson, one of the foremost experts on Doctor Who in North America, was the main guest as well as several other returning guests. This was held in the Keokuk mall.

https://www.mississippivalleypublishing.com/daily_gate/news/doctor-who-and-kirk-dominate-keokuk-this-year/article_3f1a1c58-a844-5a73-97af-7d1065e53546.html

Later this year we also won an award for the most humorous entry in the Keokuk Labor Day parade. Captain Kirk and his motley crew gave the TARDIS a tow down Main Street!

https://www.mississippivalleypublishing.com/daily_democrat/news/labor-day-parade-sees-100-plus-entries/article_333ae2fe-bf35-5b58-ac2f-38bac3d4122c.html


Keokon 7 had a costume walk down Main Street and an overnight lock-in game tournament. It was held at the Heritage Center with several venders. There was a wide variety of panels and activities that were engaging for a lot of people and everyone really seemed to have fun. This was the first Keokon where we actually made anything like a profit, due in large part to the efforts of the new committee chair, Heather Hutcherson. It was also the last Keokon until Keokon 60.

https://www.mississippivalleypublishing.com/daily_gate/news/keokon-attracted-150-fans-including-40-gamers/article_d026b70a-d443-5d01-8012-8ad17dc3bf18.html

Costume Walk
Costume Walk