Chattacon 43 brings costumes, cosplay, characters and comics to Convention Center. FRIDAY-SUNDAY

ADystopian Dance, Star Wars trivia games and debates over Marvel vs. DC comics will help entertain an estimated 1,000 fans expected at this weekend’s Chattacon 43. Chattacon opens Friday, Jan. 19, continuing through Sunday, Jan. 21, at a new location, The Chattanoogan, 1201 Broad St. The Chattanooga Convention and Visitors Bureau expects Chattacon guests to make a financial impact of about $ 400,000 before leaving town.

For t he uninit i a t e d, Chattacon is t his city’s annual speculative fiction fan convention. Speculative fiction bases a story’s settings and characters on imagination, or one’s speculation, instead of reality. It’s more “what could be” instead of “what is.”

Chattacon programming offers everything from scifi fantasy ( Harry Potter potions class, chain- mail workshop, cosplay contests) to fact-based sessions such as Social Media for Beginning Writers and Screenwriting 101.

Special guests for this Chattacon are authors Peter David and Todd McCaffrey, artist Sam Flegal and gaming aficionado Michael Bielaczyc.

In addition to gaming tournaments all weekend, there are special events such as Cheeky Nefertiti’s Parlour Game Night, Castle Panic board game, a scavenger hunt and Midnight Zombicide.

Don’t leave without a souvenir. If your interests steer toward steampunk or you’re intrigued by a magic ring or amulet to help you navigate the Tomb of Acererak, 21 vendors will be set up in Walker Room with items for all tastes. Don’t forget an official Chattacon 43 T-shirt.

For more information or to register: www.chattacon.org.

STAFF PHOTOS BY DOUG STRICKLAND Above, James Neathery of Nashville wears a suit of steampunk armor as he sets up his vendor’s booth at Chattacon 42. His company, Starboard Sky Industries, will be among vendors at this weekend’s Chattacon 43. At left, Bill Harrison talks about some of...