26th World Science Fiction Convention

The 26th World Science Fiction Convention (Worldcon), also known as Baycon, was held on 29 August–2 September 1968 at the Claremont Hotel in Berkeley, California, United States.

In 1968, Worldcon, annual World Science Fiction Convention, was combined with Westercon, the annual West Coast Science Fantasy Conference, sharing guests of honor and chairmen. The chairmen were Bill Donaho, Alva Rogers, and J. Ben Stark.

Participants

Attendance was approximately 1,430.

Guests of Honor

Philip José Farmer (pro)
Walter J. Daugherty (fan)
Robert Silverberg (toastmaster)

Awards

The World Science Fiction Society administers and presents the Hugo Awards, the oldest and most noteworthy award for science fiction. Selection of the recipients is by vote of the Worldcon members. Categories include novels and short fiction, artwork, dramatic presentations, and various professional and fandom activities.

Other awards may be presented at Worldcon at the discretion of the individual convention committee. This has often included the national SF awards of the host country, such as the Japanese Seiun Awards as part of Nippon 2007, and the Prix Aurora Awards as part of Anticipation in 2009. The Astounding Award for Best New Writer and the Sidewise Award, though not sponsored by the Worldcon, are usually presented, as well as the Chesley Awards, the Prometheus Award, and others.

1968 Hugo Awards

Best Novel: Lord of Light by Roger Zelazny
Best Novella:
- "Weyr Search" by Anne McCaffrey and
- "Riders of the Purple Wage" by Philip José Farmer (tie)
Best Novelette: "Gonna Roll Them Bones" by Fritz Leiber
Best Short Story: "I Have No Mouth, and I Must Scream" by Harlan Ellison
Best Dramatic Presentation: "The City on the Edge of Forever" (Star Trek episode, original script by Harlan Ellison)
Best Professional Artist: Jack Gaughan
Best Professional Magazine: if
Best Fanzine: Amra, edited by George Scithers
Best Fan Artist: George Barr
Best Fan Writer: Ted White

Other awards

Special Award: Harlan Ellison for Dangerous Visions
Special Award: Gene Roddenberry for Star Trek

Notes

This Worldcon was the first one that was attended by large numbers of people in the hippie subculture. A psychedelic light show was presented in the main ballroom of the hotel. Robert Silverberg gave a speech about using LSD to attain a mystical experience. Harlan Ellison read a story he had written about a hippie commune.

Poul Anderson emceed a presentation by the Society for Creative Anachronism.

Long-time president of DAW Books, Betsy Wollheim (whose father, author and publisher Donald A. Wollheim, was a leader in the development of science fiction as a popular genre) remembers:

The high point of my childhood experience at conventions was Baycon 1968 in Oakland. I remember the excitement of it all—sliding down the fire slides, the big eucalyptus forest behind the Claremont Hotel...the tournaments on the lawn.... And I remember at the age of 16 thinking, "No convention can ever be this wonderful again, so I should never go to another." Famous last words!