Step into the Realm of Fantasy
By Jessica L. Knouse • Photography by Melissa Ring
For one weekend every year, the Eisenhower Hotel and Conference Center in Gettysburg transforms into a colorful labyrinth of fantasy and wonder. It’s Mythicon, a convention where the boundary between reality and imagination blurs. The entire venue takes on a completely different persona—one filled with cosplay, creativity and camaraderie. Participants and vendors are invited to (cos)play and celebrate the realm of the fae in the midst of winter. Not only can participants revel in faerie lore, but they can learn how to swim as a mermaid, dive into folklore with renowned storytellers, try their percussion skills at immersive drum circle sessions, explore the intersections of the natural world and magic, and kick up their dancing shoes at Friday evening’s Masque of the Green Man or Saturday’s Frost Faerie Ball.
This family-friendly, multi-day event features a wide selection of workshops, storytelling sessions, musical performances, fire dancing exhibitions and more. It encourages guests to step out of their everyday humdrum and reach into the depths of childhood wonderment to play. “The fountain of youth exists in joy,” says Ken Crampton, co-founder of Mythicon. Whether you are a fan of ancient myths, contemporary fantasy novels or immersive role-playing games, Mythicon offers something for everyone. Participants may don a costume that is inspired by their own imagination—or simply attend in their regular, everyday attire, explains Cat le Fay, Mythicon co-founder. “We try to be very inclusive and create a space where there is a little bit of something for everybody, especially with the climate of the world right now,” says Cat. “When creating this community, if you can play together, you can live together. And if we can create this positive, magical, wonderful space for people to actually share space with each other and have this really great experience together, hopefully they’re going to kind of take that positivity back out into the world when dealing with each other in their regular lives.”
The 2025 Mythicon will be the third iteration of this event, which has evolved from the former “Mythic Ball” and “Frost Faerie Ball” events originally produced by Ken Crampton. In the past 12 years, the event has grown from the humble beginnings at Ken’s studio to the full-fledged, multi-day convention that it is today.
While Mythicon is inspired by the realm of the fae—or faerie—this year’s theme is a celebration of the natural world, featuring the Masque of the Green Man, which is an observation of the lore of this mythical trope. The Green Man is a figure rooted in various mythologies, legends and cultures, often representing the natural world, and rebirth as well as the cycles of life, death and renewal. This theme pairs perfectly with the timing of the event, as midwinter is when we take pause in the darkness of the season to salute the coming of the spring.
Where it’s certain that the air is thick with the magic of possibility, there is also the ability to shop for the perfect cosplay attire. A wide array of vendors participates in the “Mythic Market,” featuring handmade jewelry, custom-crafted cosplay headdresses, headbands, charms, props and more. And participants can take their cosplay to the next level by scheduling a personal fantasy portrait shoot with Melissa Ring Photography, a repeat vendor and Mythicon participant.
“It’s not just a photo booth, it’s a photo story,” shares Melissa. With fantasy photography, you can “be the hero of your own story, by entering the Fae realm and having a custom fantasy portrait made of you or your family. Knights, Vikings, princesses, fae queens and more, all are welcome. Come dressed as your favorite cosplay character or get some help from our magical wardrobe.”
Melissa also takes time to capture moments at the event. “I mean, getting picture with a mermaid who’s splashing in the pool next to you—it’s so cool and happens right in the lobby! You walk in the door, and right there is Atlantis.”
Longtime faerie festival attendee and Mythicon event coordinator Casey Herb explains that Mythicon is like finding a family of like-minded individuals. “I get to help create build the magic, which is beautiful. Last year we put confetti string up and then I helped some young ladies in the ballroom, where we had LED snowflake lights, which were amazing.” Casey’s attention to detail and decorating skills will transform the hotel lobby into a mystical, woodland realm where faeries may romp and play.
For all attendees, the event offers a chance to meet writers, artists and performers who bring these age-old stories into the contemporary landscape. And while it may seem like just another weekend event, Mythicon has become something far more—an annual gathering of people who share one simple belief: that the impossible is just the beginning.
Want to attend Mythicon?
February 7 – 9, 2025
mythicon.me • 540-226-1300
Eisenhower Hotel and Conference Center, 2634 Emmitsburg Road, Gettysburg
To attend Mythicon, guests are encouraged to pre-purchase tickets online at www.mythicon.me.
Tickets will also be available at the door.
Adult Weekend Pass: $120 – $150 + taxes and fees. Includes access to all convention activities, Friday and Saturday night balls and after-party events, and the Mythic Market.
Teen Weekend Pass: $60 – $75 + taxes and fees. Includes access to all convention activities, Friday and Saturday night balls and after-party events, and the Mythic Market. All participants holding a teen pass must have an adult present at the event for the duration they are there.
Adult Three-Day Pass (day events only): $90 – $110 + taxes and fees. Friday Adult Day Pass admits one person age 18+ to all daytime events and the Mythic Market. This does not include the evening events.
Adult Friday or Sunday Day Pass (day events only): $30 – $50 + taxes and fees. Friday or Sunday Adult Day Pass admits one person age 18+ to all daytime events and the Mythic Market on Friday or Sunday. Must buy the pass for the specific day in which you plan to attend.
Adult Saturday Pass: $40 – $50 + taxes and fees. Saturday Adult Day Pass admits one person age 18+ to all daytime events and the Mythic Market on Saturday. Does not include evening events.
Teen Three-Day Pass: $45 – $60 + taxes and fees. Three-Day Teen Pass admits one person age 13 to 17 to all daytime events and the Mythic Market from Friday through Sunday. This does not include the evening events. All participants holding a teen pass must have an adult present at the event for the duration they are there.
Teen Friday or Sunday Pass: $15 – $30 + taxes and fees. Friday or Sunday Teen Day Pass admits one person age 13 to 17 to all daytime events and the Mythic Market on Friday or Sunday. This does not include the evening events. All participants holding a teen pass must have an adult present at the event for the duration they are there.
Teen Saturday Pass: $20 – $35 + taxes and fees. Saturday Teen Day Pass admits one person age 13 to 17 to all daytime events and the Mythic Market on Saturday. This does not include the evening events. All participants holding a teen pass must have an adult present at the event for the duration they are there.
Children 12 and younger may attend at no cost. Individual accommodations are to be arranged by participants and are not included in ticket prices.
