Wyatt and I just spent the weekend at Archon 47 in St. Louis, a science fiction convention that’s been going strong for almost 50 years!
Wyatt and a couple of friends were on a panel talking about the History of Archon, reminiscing about the different fun things that they remember about past cons.
JD’s first was Archon 3, and Wyatt’s first year was number 4.
These guys were sharing stories about being teenagers and discovering a place where other people had the interest in the same “weird” stuff they did! They were talking about how great it was to find a group of people with similar passions and creativity - so much so that they kept coming back year after year.
I've been going to conventions like Archon for several years now, but hearing Wyatt and his friends share their stories from way back made me realize how deep their connection runs. While I’ve always enjoyed community and creativity at these events, for these guys, it's not just about the present—it’s about decades of shared passion. Listening to them reminisce about the fun, friendships, and quirky costumes from conventions past gave me a new appreciation for how these gatherings have evolved over time.
Watching these grey-bearded guys interacting with the audience and hearing about decades of antics, and the guys themselves talking about looking around and seeing all of the “old people” at the convention made me realize that the “elderly” are not all sitting in nursing homes rocking their lives away.
The “elderly” are being creative and designing costumes that they show off at the convention, they are artists making and selling some amazing products in the dealers room, they are authors, painters, actors, and singers performing and sharing their talents. Who says creativity stops with age? These folks are proof that passion and imagination only get better with time.
Elderly People are bringing their grandkids to conventions, and sharing the fun with the next generations. The children of the “elderly” are stepping up and volunteering at the convention.
After one of the panels presentations, a group of us were hanging out in the hallway of the conference center catching up. The guys were still sharing stories about past conventions and the fun they had. They were talking about some of the fun costumes they had created for the Masquerade Costume Contest. One difference I picked up on was that years ago, you’d hear the phrase “we got a room at the hotel, so we can party all night after the Masquerade!” This year, what I heard was “we got a hotel room so we can go take a nap Before the Masquerade!”
Times may change, but the need for a solid pre-party nap? Timeless.
Being around so many creative and active seniors, it always reminds me why I started designing the Caution: Elderly People products—to celebrate the vibrancy of the 'elderly' who are far from slowing down.
So next time you see a grey-bearded artist or an older fan rocking a costume, remember: conventions aren’t just for the young. They’re for the young at heart.
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