Sci-Fi Valley Con proudly presents Con-Quest, a unique charity event hosted by the Gearbox Union. This interactive adventure blends fun with philanthropy to benefit children’s hospitals around the globe—and it all happens right here at our convention.

How to Participate

• Donate $5 to receive a GBU Con-Quest pouch, five raffle tickets, and a one-day questing pass.
• Start with the map in the Sci-Fi Valley Con flyer and visit participating tables for fun challenges.
• Complete quests like acting like a zombie, dancing like a unicorn, or quoting your favorite superhero to earn GBU Con-Quest bottle caps.
• Exchange bottle caps at the Mega-Table for additional raffle tickets and boost your chances to win donated prizes.

Every day offers new quests, variable trade values, hidden secrets, and more.

Start Your Quest

Begin at the Gearbox Union Con-Quest Mega-Table, located at Tables D1–D7, upstairs outside the ballroom. Collect tickets, uncover secrets, and enjoy surprises throughout the convention!

For Vendors, Artists, and Guests

Want to participate as a quest stop? We’d love to have you! Join the charity raffle and run a simple interactive activity at your table—great engagement for attendees and a great cause for kids.

To sign up and become a quest location, please email GearboxUnion@gmail.com. We’re excited to see your creative ideas in this year’s Con-Quest!

Don’t miss this distinctive way to explore Sci-Fi Valley Con—engage in fun interactions, help support children in need, and get ready to quest, collect, and conquer at Con-Quest!

Prepare to dazzle and be dazzled at Sci-Fi Valley Con’s annual Costume Contest! Whether you’re a die-hard fan of Sci-Fi, a lover of Horror, a Fantasy enthusiast, or an Anime aficionado, this is your chance to showcase your best costume and compete for prizes and bragging rights.

Contest Details

Dress in your most creative attire inspired by any realm of your choice—Fantasy, Science Fiction, Anime, Steampunk, Horror, or your favorite Movie, TV Show, or Book. Show off your craftsmanship, flair, and passion for all things fantastical!

Prizes and Categories

Trophies will be awarded for 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place in each age division. Adult entries are also eligible for special awards including Best-of-Show and Judge’s Choice.

Registration and Contest Times

Age Categories

• Juniors: 0 – 12 years old
• Teens: 13 – 17 years old
• Adults: 18 – 100+ years old

Entry Form Details

When signing up, you will be asked to provide:

• Costume Title: a unique name that captures its essence.
• Costume Inspiration: genre or source (e.g., fantasy, science fiction, anime, steampunk, horror, movie, TV show, book, etc.).
• Details for Judges: the craftsmanship, materials, and story behind your creation.

Join us for a night of spectacular costumes, thrilling competition, and community fun. Whether you’re competing or cheering, the Costume Contest is a highlight you won’t want to miss—shine in your best look and maybe take home a trophy!

Get ready to make a difference while indulging your passion for collectibles and fine art at the Sci-Fi Valley Con Charity Auction! This special event combines the excitement of bidding with the joy of giving, all in support of a fantastic cause.

Benefiting Extra Life

All proceeds go directly to Extra Life, supporting the Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals. By participating, you’re not just bidding for beautiful items—you’re helping improve the lives of children in need.

A Treasure Trove of Art and Collectibles

Prepare to be amazed by the array of fine art available at our auction, generously donated by talented artists attending the convention. From stunning paintings and intricate sculptures to unique collectibles and memorabilia, there’s something to catch every collector’s eye.

Auction Schedule

• When: Saturday, October 17
• Time: 3:30 PM
• Location: Event Room

We encourage all attendees to bring their checkbooks (or payment method) and join the spirited bidding. Whether you’re adding a unique piece to your collection or hunting for the perfect gift, you’ll find plenty of wonderful options—while supporting a worthy cause.

Get Involved

The Charity Auction is open to all Sci-Fi Valley Con attendees. Join us in the Event Room to bid on your favorite items in a live auction format. It’s the perfect opportunity to acquire rare and beautiful pieces and make a significant impact through your contributions. Mark your calendars and bid high for the kids!

Prepare for a whirlwind of artistic talent and charitable giving at Charity Quick Sketches! This dynamic event brings together some of the convention’s most talented artists for a fast-paced drawing session where creativity knows no bounds—and every piece supports charity.

Fast-paced Art for a Good Cause

Join us on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday for an exhilarating hour where our artists speed-sketch as many pieces as possible. Each creation—from beloved superheroes to original ideas shouted out by attendees—is immediately auctioned right after it’s finished. It’s your chance to win a unique piece of art created before your eyes!

Interactive and Exciting

Can’t find a print of your favorite character on the exhibitor floor? Request it live! Participate in the excitement by bidding on these one-of-a-kind sketches with raffle tickets—all proceeds go to charities.

We Provide, Artists Create

Sci-Fi Valley Con supplies all necessary materials so artists can focus on making amazing work. Bring your enthusiasm and get ready to bid!

Event Schedule

• Friday: 6:00–7:00 PM
• Saturday: 2:00–3:00 PM
• Sunday: 1:30–2:30 PM
• Location: Event Room

Watch art happen in real-time and take home something truly special. Whether you’re an art fan or just love supporting charity in a fun way, don’t miss Charity Quick Sketches!

• When: Saturday, October 17
• Time: 10:00 PM – 2:00 AM
• Location: The Holiday Bowl
• Address: 181 Bowling Lane, Altoona, PA
• Special Bowling Rate: Only $20 per lane per hour (up to 6 people per lane). FREE shoe rentals!

Cap off your Saturday, October 17 at Sci-Fi Valley Con with a night of fun and festivities at our official After Party! Join us at the Holiday Bowl, located at 181 Bowling Lane, Altoona, PA 16601, for an evening packed with excitement and entertainment. The party kicks off at 10:00 PM and goes until 2:00 AM—plenty of time to bowl, sing, and celebrate with fellow con-goers.

Special Bowling and Karaoke Night

Get ready to strike at our special after-party bowling rates—just $20 per lane per hour. Bring your friends or team up with new ones (lanes accommodate up to 6 people), and don’t worry about extras because shoe rentals are absolutely free! Whether you’re a seasoned bowler or just looking to relax after a busy day at the con, this is the perfect strike.

Sing Your Heart Out with Karaoke

Not into bowling? Grab the mic and show off your vocal chops! Karaoke is a fan-favorite every year and a fantastic way to mingle, make memories, and take the stage with your favorite tunes.

Connect and Celebrate

The After Party at the Holiday Bowl is a tradition attendees look forward to every year—A relaxed, fun-filled environment to unwind and connect with friends new and old. Don’t miss this chance to wrap up your Saturday night with some friendly competition and a lot of laughter.

No registration necessary—just show up and join in on the fun. We can’t wait to see you there and close out an incredible day with a strike!

• When: Saturday, October 17
• Time: 1:00–2:00 & 4:00–5:00 PM
• Location: Outside on the Lawn

Step back in time and immerse yourself in the thrilling world of medieval combat at Sci-Fi Valley Con! Whether you’ve dreamed of being a valiant knight, a cunning rogue, or simply want to try a new action-packed hobby, our Dagorhir demonstrations are not to be missed.

Enjoy a spectacular display of full-contact foam weapon combat where historical fantasy meets modern sport. Fighters in period-appropriate attire engage in exciting battles using safe foam weaponry—delivering an exhilarating experience while prioritizing safety at all times.

The presentation is led by members of the Wolves of Asgard and Iron Mountain units from Johnstown. They’ll introduce the basic rules, demonstrate combat techniques, and explain safety measures and gear. The Gearbox Union will be on hand to boost the energy as enthusiastic crowd supporters!

After the demo, you’re invited to pick up a sword and join the fray. We’ll have plenty of foam weapons for a firsthand experience of Dagorhir (waivers required; minors must have parental supervision).

Step outside, embrace a legendary pastime, and prepare to shout “Lay on!” as you dive into the world of medieval combat sports at Sci-Fi Valley Con.

Sci-Fi Valley Con is a haven for gamers, featuring an extensive array of tabletop gaming events hosted by Snake Eyes Gaming and Sentinels’ Keep Gaming Society. Whether you’re a seasoned player or brand new to the scene, there’s something for everyone.

Gaming Variety

Our convention boasts a diverse selection of games, including:

• Dungeons & Dragons
• Warhammer 40,000
• Warhammer Age of Sigmar
• Blood Bowl
• HeroClix
• Magic: The Gathering
• Disney Lorcana
• Star Wars Unlimited
• Pokémon

Gaming Demos and Casual Play

Whether you want to learn a new game from our resident experts or just need a spot to play your favorites, we’ve got a seat for you! Stop in, grab a table, and join the fun!

• Friday through Sunday — All day, in the Game Room!
• Card Games: Disney Lorcana, Magic: The Gathering, Star Wars Unlimited, Pokémon
• Miniatures Games: Blood Bowl, HeroClix, Warhammer 40k, Warhammer Age of Sigmar
• Various Board Games

Warhammer 40k: Bug Hunt - Weekend Event

For three and a half centuries, Alexander’s Reach has been the sector's biggest trade hub and a goldmine of Imperial data. Three weeks ago, it went dark. We only caught one garbled burst before the silence hit: “Alert! ...detect... ...nid... ...asion imminent.”

Here’s the job: get into the main data center, grab the master data slates, and bring back anyone still breathing. But keep your heads on a swivel - that transmission wasn't encrypted. Every pirate and warband in the sector heard it, and they’re coming. We’re also looking at a potential bug-hunt. If you see anything with more than two legs, eliminate it.

Join us in the Game Room for a weekend-long battle of attrition! Players will take control of a unit to complete objectives and earn points in a fast-paced “Drop-in, Drop-out” format. Play as many times as you like. A special prize will be awarded to the player with the most points at the end of the weekend. Newbies welcome!

Magic: The Gathering – Casual Commander

Grab your deck and join casual Commander play! Four-person pods will fire on demand. Promos will be given to winners.

• Saturday: 11:00 AM – 7:00 PM
• Free admission — decks available for purchase if you don't have one

HeroClix – Battle Royale

Draft a booster and play a group battle of HeroClix! Four-person pods fire on demand for a 50-minute round. Promos added to the prize pool.

• Saturday: 12:00 PM – 3:00 PM
• Sunday: 1:00 PM – 4:00 PM
• $5 admission / $15 admission — depending on the booster chosen

Test your knowledge and compete for awesome prizes at the Sci-Fi Valley Con Trivia Tournaments! Join us on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday for geeky categories spanning sci-fi, fantasy, comics, movies, TV, games, and more. Trophies and Best Buy gift cards await the top trivia masters!

Tournament Schedule

• Friday: 3:30 – 4:30 PM
• Saturday: 5:00 – 6:00 PM
• Sunday: 2:30 – 3:30 PM
• Location: Event Room

Bring friends or play solo—face off against challenging questions across fandoms and flex your trivia skills. Don’t miss your shot to be crowned one of the biggest geeks at Sci-Fi Valley Con and win great prizes!

Dive into the world of creative craftsmanship with our exciting lineup of hands-on workshops at Sci-Fi Valley Con! Whether you’re painting, building, crafting, or learning new creative skills, there’s something for every fan and maker.

Painting and Building Workshops by Snake Eyes Gaming

Join Snake Eyes Gaming all weekend for our popular Paint and Take workshop and the debut of our Build and Battle workshop! Located in the Paint and Hobby Room, these workshops provide everything you need—miniatures, paints, and tools—along with expert guidance for a nominal fee.

Paint and Take: Sit down with friends for a relaxing miniature-painting session in the Painting Workshop Area. We provide the miniature and all the tools—experts will be floating around to help!

Build and Battle: Fancy building your own miniatures? We will have various Gundam, Pokemon, and Warhammer models to choose from! You choose a model. We provide the supplies and the expertise to guide you through the process! Please note: people under 18 must be accompanied by an adult for this activity.

Hours: Friday: 2:00 PM – 8:00 PM   |   Saturday: 10:00 AM – 7:00 PM   |   Sunday: 10:00 AM – 3:00 PM

Cost depends on the miniature chosen and includes the miniature plus tool use. Stop in at any time!

Miniature Painting Competition

Two hours. One miniature. Endless possibilities. We invite you to step into the painting arena for a unique, timed challenge. With a mystery model and a shared set of paints, you’ll have just two hours to bring a character to life from start to finish. Whether you choose a gritty, realistic style or a vibrant, flamboyant look, the artistic direction is entirely up to you!

• Cost: $15 entry fee
• Location: Paint and Hobby Room
• Registration: Participants must register Friday.
• Sessions: Saturday: 1:00 PM – 3:00 PM and 4:00 PM – 6:00 PM
• Categories: Youth, 15 years and under, and Adult, 16 years and up. Maximum of 20 participants per category.
• Models and Supplies: Models and supplies will be provided to each participant. You may NOT bring your own models or hobby supplies.
• Judging: Winners will be announced Sunday afternoon at 2:00 PM in the Paint and Hobby Room.

After each session, models will be labeled and protected by our judging staff until winners are announced. You can pick up your model after announcements are made. Prizes will be awarded for 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place in each category. Prizes based on attendance.

3D Printing and Foam Smithing by Snowtiger Designs

Explore cutting-edge 3D printing and the art of foam smithing with Snowtiger Designs. Visit their booth at Table D9 for live demos and hands-on workshops throughout the convention. These sessions are great for anyone interested in learning more about 3D technologies and the techniques of foam smithing used in cosplay and prop making.

Whether you’re leveling up your painting skills or diving into new creative tech, our workshops offer unique opportunities to learn from experienced professionals and take home your own creations. Stop by and unleash your creativity at Sci-Fi Valley Con!