Last month, I attended my first Wild Wild West Steampunk Convention in Tucson, Arizona. Despite the incredibly long drive from my home in Washington state, I was looking forward to meeting new readers, connecting with fellow vendors, and taking in the creativity of the steampunk community.
The weekend started off well. I set up my table, got to talk with some great people, and enjoyed seeing the variety of detailed costumes and unique wares. But partway through the event, things took an unexpected turn. The convention was shut down abruptly due to a reported norovirus outbreak. Vendors and attendees were told to pack up and leave immediately, cutting the weekend short without any warning.
It was a difficult situation for everyone involved. Many of us had put a lot of time, effort, and money into being there, and the sudden cancellation was a real blow. That said, I still wanted to take a moment to look back at the parts of the event that were memorable and positive. I put together a highlight video showing some of the convention before things fell apart—featuring the vendor hall, some of the great costumes, and a bit of my experience while it lasted.
To everyone who stopped by my booth, chatted for a bit, or supported the vendors in any way—thank you. This event didn’t go the way any of us expected, but I hope to be back in the future under better circumstances.
