This one’s completely new to us here at SFScope, but apparently the fans of Joss Whedon’s Firefly and Serenity call themselves Browncoats. And the reason that’s important is that the Browncoats are planning their third convention, which will be in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, 28-30 September 2007. The first two Browncoat Balls (for so they are called) were held in Chicago in 2004, followed by San Francisco, in 2006. With the 2007 convention looming, there is also a bidding process open for the 2008 convention, as they’re aiming to make it an annual event.
The first Browncoat Ball was held with the goal of “establishing an affordable, annual, non-profit event created for fans by fans, capable of bringing Browncoats from geographically diverse locations from all over the world together to celebrate Firefly and our fabulous fandom. The vision for the Browncoat Ball is that it will be held in a different city each year.” They go to some pains to make clear that they are not affiliated with Whedon or “anyone of relevance,” and that they are purely fan groups.
The registration deadline for this year’s ball is 15 September. On www.browncoatball.com/2007, there is complete registration and hotel information, as well as a schedule of events. There is very little typical “programming” planned for the weekend; instead, as Publications Chairman/Webmaster Nathan E. Lilly says, “the primary objective of the Browncoat Ball is to get to know fellow Firefly/Serenity fans (otherwise known as Browncoats).”