Balticon 45: Add Your Photos!

That gentleman in the gorilla suit or the lady in a steampunk gown you spot on Shawan Road this weekend? They're not headed to a costume party.

They're headed to , the annual science fiction convention that opened Friday and runs through Monday.

Jonette Butler, the convention's chairwoman, said as many as 1,600 are expected to pass through the doors of this weekend.

The convention boasts a full schedule of screenings, panels and special events at all hours of the day. Special guests for the weekend include Benjamin Bova, Phillippa Ballantine and Timonium's Steve Geppi, founder of Diamond Comics and the Geppi Entertainment Museum in Baltimore.

The convention is more than just fun and games. Scientists will talk about the reality behind science fiction and budding authors will read from their works.

"Reading is important. Science fiction is important," Butler said. "So much that exists now was taken by scientists from a science fiction novel and made reality."

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