GeekFest wristbands on sale now

By BRUCE VASBINDER

Special to Leader-Press

The sixth annual GeekFest, a celebration of all things gaming, fantasy, anime, technology and science fiction, will be held August 14- 16 in the Mayborn Science Theatre and the Anderson Campus Center on the campus of Central Texas College (CTC). Featured attractions include gaming tournaments for cash prizes, “humans vs. zombies” game, costume, cake and anime contests, seminars and workshops, vendors and the traditional showing of “Rocky Horror Picture Show” with a live interactive cast accompanying the movie. Wristbands for GeekFest are on sale now through August 13 during normal operating hours at the Mayborn Science Theater. Wristbands are required for all GeekFest patrons over the age of 12. With the wristband, patrons receive admission to all programs and dome activities including “Rocky Horror Picture Show” and “The Lego Movie,” the vendor area and transportation between buildings. Advance wristband purchases are $20 for a three-day all-inclusive pass or $50 for a VIP pass which includes a t-shirt, VIP badge, swag bag and reserved seating for dome events. Both early bird wristband purchases include opportunity prize tickets. Wristbands will also be sold at the door opening day for $30 for a three-day all-inclusive pass, $15 for a one-day pass. Discounts are available for door purchases for military personnel and family members. VIP passes will not be sold at the door. GeekFest opens Friday, August 14 at 6 p.m. with a family-friendly “Harry Potter Yule Ball” in the Anderson Campus Center (Bldg. 156). Costumes are encouraged for the event. Also on Friday more adult activities are scheduled at the Mayborn Science Theater (Bldg. 152) starting at 6 p.m. with music, LAN and console gaming and a showing of “Rocky Horror Picture Show” at 10 p.m. The show features a live shadow cast by the Austin Queerios. Seating begins at 9 p.m. Saturday’s festivities begin at 8 a.m. with the Humans vs. Zombies competition and a Quidditch demonstration and tournament for all ages at 10 a.m. Numerous workshops, costume contests for kids and adults, anime contests, a cake decorating contest, prize drawings, robotics demonstrations, film screenings, Magic tournaments and gaming tournaments will be held throughout the day. Movie presentations include “The Princess Bride” at 6 p.m. and “Rocky Horror Picture Show” featuring a local shadow cast at 10 p.m. in the Mayborn Science Theater. Also on Saturday will be the second annual 5K Glow Run/Walk around the CTC campus. The race starts at 7:30 p.m. and all participants are encouraged to wear their brightest glow gear. Race registration is $20 for anyone 12 and over. Participants will receive a t-shirt (if registered before August 1), a glow necklace and bracelet. Sunday activities will be from 12 – 6 p.m. and include workshops, gaming and a showing of “The Lego Movie” at 4 p.m. Several of the workshops and seminars on the agenda include cosplay, Dungeons and Dragons, Heroscape, LARPing, role play gaming, comic books, Star Trek trivia and a variety of different Star Wars and Harry Potter-themed subjects. A variety of new seminars have been added this year including podcasting, short and sweet science fiction, Doctor Who and game design. Also, many anime, comic book and other artists will hold displays of their works throughout the weekend. For a complete schedule of events, workshops, film screenings and more, visit online at www.starsatnight.org/geekfest.