As Han Solo would say, “You’re all clear, kid!”…Programming Submissions for Halcy-Con 2025 are now LIVE now through May 28. See all the details and submit your proposal at our Programming Submission page.
Suggestion Box Feedback
Thanks to everyone who submitted ideas in the Suggestions Box!
Here are some of the most commonly desired items, as well as some that are a little more niche but that would be delightful things to be able to add to Halcy-Con! If you’re been contemplating submitting programming, I hope this will inspire you to do so. Remember that Halcy-Con exists because of the amazing Starcruiser community and the ideas, experiences, and expertise that you bring to the table. We want to showcase you and your talent!
Immersive Experiences:
First off: To everyone who wanted more of a chance to play immersively, who requested things like Halcy-Con scavenger hunts and puzzles, who loved the “Hide the Haynaneya” game last year, or who expressed a desire for a place to just hang out in character – Con-wide plans for all of that have been in the works since December! Read our FAQ for more information and follow The Crescent Station on socials if you want to get the flavor between now and the con.
Alongside that, we also want your immersive games and experiences! What we’ve got planned at the con-wide level should by no means be the only opportunities for that kind of play. I would love to see more proposals for in-universe games, activities, and challenges. That might be things like Hintaro, Pazaak, and Dejarik (and I do believe Sabacc for Charity is planning on expanding their selection this year), but it also might be custom-crafted games and narratives designed by you.
Another frequently-requested type of programming is information about other immersive experiences. Many Halcy-Con attendees want to know where they can find more of what they love! Where else, all across the country, can you find immersive experiences? How do you get into things like Nordic LARPing? They also want to know about the nuts and bolts – how these experiences get built, retrospectives on past events and attractions, what the future of immersive can look like, and how the Starcruiser has and continues to shape that future.
And, folks want to know how to experience these things more fully! Programming about character-building, character interaction, acting for immersive experiences – all of those would go over very well and be in high demand, so if you’re someone with experience in those arenas, I hope to hear from you!
Droids:
We had a huge interest in more droid-based programming! Some folks would love to know how the custom droid builders do what they do; some want tips on droid-building on Batuu; and some want droid activities like races! I love all these ideas – they just need someone willing to take point on them. Maybe someone could even organize a Westcrescent Droid Show? Droid Agility Trials?
Arts & Crafts:
The survey showed a lot of enthusiasm for more arts & crafts! Which, considering how much this community loves swag, is not a surprise. More than one person mentioned wanting a swag-making activity, something everyone could craft at the con, in addition to a swag-swap.
I would actually love to be able to organize something like a craft fair – where a bunch of different crafts could be set up in the same room, and attendees could go around and make several! But that would take some serious coordination. Anyone willing to take point?
Cosplay
People want practical tips! How-tos for everything from closet cosplay to sewing to accessorizing. I know we have a lot of talented cosplayers in this community, so what advice could you share on how to look like you belong in a galaxy far, far away?
Saja Content
Last year’s early morning meditations were a big hit! People would love more of that and other Saja-esque programming. We sort of had a Saja-focused mini-track last year, and there’s definitely enough interest for that in 2025.
Halcyon History
We had a few suggestions that sort of ran slightly different flavors of this, but: Projects on preserving the Halcyon’s legacy, presentations or panels on fandom history, and a breakdown of the full cruise’s plotline.
I’ll also say this – last year we very much wanted to do an interactive exhibit where anyone could contribute by marking out the course they charted through the Starcruiser’s 45 amazing hours. We just ended up not having the bandwidth for it, and I don’t know that we will this year, either. But if anyone does have that bandwidth, I may send you to talk to Kit for inclusion in Exhibitions!
Other Stray Bits and Bobs
So these are things that were a little more idiosyncratic suggestions, but that I think are awesome ideas, and I would love to see someone take them on!
- A meet-up for folks who only got to go on the Starcruiser once.
- A panel of teachers and educators discussing how they use immersive theory in their pedagogy.
- A panel on fandom photography – and I’d also love to see a presentation on photo-taking tips or tips for posing!
- Kid-friendly programming. We cannot, for reasons of insurance and other legalese, designate anything as “for kids” or have a “kids track”. But I can imagine many games, crafts, and activities that could certainly be welcoming to younglings.
- A Resistance Training Camp session.
- Making Star Wars music – and dancing to it!
So. You’ve got your ideas. Now what?
Proposal Guidelines
We open for programming proposals on April 30th and close submissions on May 28th. Please check out the Sessions Page for information on the different types of programming we are soliciting proposals for, and the Programming Submission page for detailed guidelines and links to the proposal submission form.
The proposal submission form will ask you for a title and program description for your programming, as well as a bio for you and anyone else leading it. If you’re doing something more in-depth, like an interactive/immersive event, a workshop, or a game, you’ll also need to give us as much detail as possible about how you envision it operating, to help the Halcy-Con team make assessments about how it might be implemented and where it might best fit, both in space and in the schedule.
If you’re not sure what sort of programming the thing you want to propose is, please ask! Likewise if you’re proposing interactive/immersive programming of some kind and are interested in weaving it into the con’s overall narrative of The Crescent – get in touch if you’d like to talk it out!
I’ll also be hosting a Live at 12pm EDT on Saturday, May 10th – drop in to that if you want to ask questions in real-time!
Cass
Halcy-Con Programming Coordinator