Every year, for more than 20 years, Tom Filsinger has hosted an event for fans of games that he calls GalactiCon. The event is held to promote his creation "Champions of the Galaxy" and to bring together the people in the community who enjoy games and comics. In a recent Q&A session with Filsinger, he expressed his excitement for the event.
Q: For those who've never been to a "GalactiCon" before, what makes the event stand out?
A: It's a celebration of our game community and it's tons of fun. Our fans are loyal and know how to have a good time. If you're a fan of games, comic books or wrestling, you'll love something about GalactiCon. Admission is free; we just want people to hang with us. There'll be game tournaments, trivia contests and an auction to support the Falconer Schools chapter of Future Business Leaders of America.
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Dusten Rader
Q: How many years has the event been running, and what's changed since its inception?
A: It started really small in the early '90s, more like a party than a con. People met at my home for years. I have great memories of those early days.
Q: What's new with "Champions of the Galaxy" this year, and will there be any surprises for fans who make it to the event?
A: Everybody will get a free gift. I want to thank my fans for their continued support and enthusiasm. We have some awesome new releases that fans are pre-ordering online so they can pick them up at the con. You can't beat that.
Q: Other than your creation, "Champions of the Galaxy," what other games will be featured?
A: My company also produces "Legends of Wrestling Wrestling Game" and "CHIKARA Wrestling Game." Great stuff. Any wrestling fan would love it, and if you don't believe me come to GalactiCon and play a few matches.
Q: What made you want to feature "She Devil" as this year's live character?
A: She Devil has pretty much been our only live character. She's a model, and she's worked with me before. Her name is Ashley Popplewell, and she's from Indiana. She's a great person and loves the game as much as anyone else. She'll be playing tournaments and signing her game card.
Q: What other special guests will be featured?
A: This year is special because we have bestselling author Marty Gitlin signing his incredible book: "The Great American Cereal Book." It's the most definitive book ever written on the phenomena of American breakfast cereal, a coffee table book with lots of color photos. I think Quisp and Quake would make a great tag team in my game.
Q: Any additional thoughts?
A: I want to thank the Jamestown community for over 20 years of support for my game company. Our game fans come from out of town and support the local vendors, which is a good thing. The whole experience is a labor of love, nothing less.
GalactiCon is scheduled for Saturday from noon to 8 p.m. and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Jamestown Community College Student Union. For more information visit filsingergames.com/cotg/galacticon.php.
HIGHLIGHTS
21st Annual Great Blue Heron Music Festival Is Friday Through Sunday: Once a year more than 700 volunteers and 8,000 festival-goers make their way to Sherman to celebrate the arts and outdoors at the Great Blue Heron Music Festival. The festival will feature more than 100 performers, a dance tent, drum circles, hiking, biking, swimming and more in the rolling hills of Amish country. Musicians featured at the festival include: Donna the Buffalo, The Town Pants, Big Leg Emma, Mosaic Foundation, Toubab Krewe, Smackdab, Sim Redmond Band, Jim Avett, Lake Street Dive, Ken Hardley, The Bogarts, Tiger Maple String Band, Cindy Haight, Marla Harris, Paul Liuzzo, Jay Peterson, Reese Campbell and more. The Great Blue Heron Music Festival is located at 2361 Waits Corners Rd. in Sherman. For more information visit greatblueheron.com or call 761-7190.
Concerts at the Gazebo Kick-off Event: The Busti Hamlet Development Group kicks off their "2012 Concerts at the Gazebo" on Saturday. The first concert of the season features John Cross and the Babalu Band starting at 7 p.m. at the Busti Gazebo. The concert series will continue every Saturday through Aug. 25. For more information, or a list of performers, visit bustihamlet.com.
Chef Gino Micciche Book Signing Is Saturday: Local Italian chef Gino Micciche will be at Off the Beaten Path Bookstore from 1 to 3 p.m. on Saturday. Micciche's third book in his cooking series, "Pranzi," (Italian for dinner), is filled with recipes that will delight your family. The author's recipes are original and authentic; the ingredients are fresh and easy to purchase locally. Micciche will be bringing delicious samples from his newest book for those who are curious. Also available will be Micciche's other books "Zuppe" and "Pasta." The bookstore is located at 28 Chautauqua Ave. in Lakewood. For more information visit booksoffthebeatenpath.com.
HAPPENINGS
To include an upcoming show or event in this column, email drader@post-journal.com or call 487-1111 ext. 253 by Tuesday.
Tonight
Brian Hanna: 6 to 9 p.m., Pine Junction at 9757 Bailey Hill Road in Findley Lake.
Blue Grass Jam: 7 to 10 p.m., Celoron Legion, 26 Jackson Ave. in Celoron. Area bluegrass musicians are welcome to sit in and play.
Friday
Brian Hanna: noon to 1 p.m., Downtown Jamestown Farmers Market.
Tiny B: 6 to 8 p.m., Jamestown Savings Bank Arena.
Saturday
Doc and Bill: 9 a.m., South Dayton Farmer's Market.
Coyote Band: Woodside Campground at 8248 Griswold Road, Cassadaga. Performance includes a patriotic theme.
777 Firecracker Blast w/ DJ's Unlimited: 8 to 12 p.m., Celoron Legion, 26 Jackson Ave. in Celoron. Providing music, dancing and fun.
Hotel California Eagles Tribute: 8 p.m., The Floating Stage, Lakeside Drive in Bemus Point.
Shally and the Riffriders: 8 p.m., Pine Junction at 9757 Bailey Hill Road in Sherman.
Kris Meekins: 10 p.m. to 1 a.m., Webb's Captain's Table in Mayville.
Sunday
Stars of Pop: 2:30 p.m., The Floating Stage, Lakeside Drive in Bemus Point. Tributes to Justin Bieber, Selena Gomez, Katy Perry, Lady Gaga, Taylor Swift, Joe Jonas and Miley Cyrus.
Rob Vance: 3 to 6 p.m., The Cooler Cafe at 114 W. Main Street in Sherman.
Wednesday
Brian Hanna: 9 p.m. to 12 a.m., Webb's Captain's Table in Mayville.