Winnipeg has an active fan community and a long fannish history.
Keycon
Keycon is a general science fiction convention, sponsored by WinSFA, held annually in Winnipeg. Keycon 40 was held May 19-21, 2023.
Winnipeg Science Fiction Association
WinSFA is an active fan group in Winnipeg. It is associated with the real Winnipeg in ’94 Worldcon bid that won and became ConAdian. WinSFA sponsors Keycon and the A.E. van Vogt Award (AEVVA). Did you know A.E. van Vogt was living in Winnipeg when he wrote some of his greatest stories?
Decadent Winnipeg Fandom
In the late ’70s, a group of fans revived the Winnipeg SF Society (see below). They edited a fanzine, Schmagg, which published two issues. In 1978, they ran a one-day convention, Un-Con. They also started a hoax bid for Winnipeg in ’94, as a funding mechanism and excuse for throwing room parties.
Read more in Garth Spencer’s article “Remember the Red River Valley, Winnipeg fanhistory 1949-1984” in Opuntia #12.
Chester Cuthbert
Chester D. Cuthbert (1912 – 2009) was an early well-known science fiction fan and collector. He organized the Winnipeg SF Society in 1950 and was president of the CSFA in 1951. Cuthbert corresponded with science fiction writers and fans all over the world. He was truly extraordinary.
Read more about Chester Cuthbert:
- Cuthbert guide at the University of Alberta, has multiple articles by and about Chester Cuthbert
- “One Fan’s Beginnings”, by Chester Cuthbert, in Opuntia #21
- “What ConAdian Did For Me”, by Chester Cuthbert, in Opuntia #22
- The Chester D Cuthbert Collection: Reeling In The Years, by Randy Reichardt