Misfits Chernobyl in 2011 at Chicon!

Misfits presented their Worldcon bid party at Worldcon in Chicago this year!

Tim Wick wrote this blurb for the Chicon (Worldcon in Chicago) parties page: "I would like to inform you that The Minnesota Society for Interest in Science Fiction and Fantasy (MISFITS) will be holding a room party at Chicon. The party will be Chernobyl in 2011, our bid to hold a Worldcon at a location that turns science fiction into science fact. Although we are still negotiating with officials in the Ukraine, we are certain that the entire convention will be held in the nuclear plant at Chernobyl given the fact the plant will be shut down later this year. Of course, this gives us the advantage of several hearted pools. Come to Chernobyl in 2011 - the con that glows on you!"

The party was headed by president Erin Lorenz and vice President Tom Hogan, with help from other local fans such as Mike Sanford (MISFITS Database manager), Mike Fanslow (who supplied the t-shirts for Chernobyl in 2011/t-shirt art by our favorite artist, Chris Jones), Mary Bertelson, Laura Thurston, Janice Anderson, Jerry Bronner, George Richard, and Joyce Scrivner. People were impressed that a new fan organization running their first ever Worldcon party was so successful! And other people were impressed as well - here is what Kurt Baty and Scott Bobo had to say in the Worldcon newsletter (Chicago Moon Times) the next day:

"Now, warmed up to tackle Thursday night, we turned on the heat, visiting Chernobyl in 2011. Everyone was simply glowing (green) even the drinks (blue) with the assistance of well-placed black lights. While leaving, we picked up our Biohazard specimen bag survival kit equipped with radioactive Twinkie (half-life unknown.)"

Tom Hogan and Mike Sanford were the sturdy bases on which the party was founded - this means they drove all the supplies including 250 Twinkies, and the infamous Tidy Bowl special #2 drink supplies, from Minneapolis to Chicago, just misplacing the hotel after they arrived in the city. (In later retelling they said they called the hotel at every turn, even the hotel staff had problems with directions!) They were also instrumental in removing art work from the walls, shifting beds and other minor chores (under Erin's critical eye.)

Joyce spent most of the party holding presupporters at bay until they were stickered in the halls of the Hyatt, and inside the room Erin poured and poured various blue (and purple) colored drinks which glowed under the black light. The posters and assorted colorful propaganda were very popular - especially the Chernobyl t-shirts (modeled by all Misfits members except Joyce who somehow crept around in a Matrix shirt.) I can still recall Tom and/or Mike and/or Jerry revealing the words of wisdom on their backs to all and sundry - especially the young svelte females ones. Fifty one t-shirts were sold mostly due to Mike, Jerry and Tom's enthusiastic promotion.

The alcohol (and most other potables) expired at midnight - along with Erin's accent, I think. The Twinkies were gone by 1am, and the bubbles and squirt guns (all appropriately labeled with Chernobyl stickers) had vanished by 2am. However Erin still had to pry a room full of fans out so she could clean up and (re)make her bed at 4:20am. (She did proclaim this would be the only party Chernobyl in 2011 had at Worldcon this year, to much booing by people who asked about the next night.)