Golden tickets in the famous 1971 film only got the winners tours of a chocolate factory. Today, golden tickets get five lucky first-time attendees full room, board, and conference admission at KansasFest 2017 thanks to a generous community member contribution. We got 77 entries for these coveted spots, and one member of our planning committee noted:
This is going to be heartbreaking. So many quality stories here, I feel like I want all these people to go. Then again, if they all go, it’ll be crazy huge and have no room for me. So… 5, picking only 5.
The dice randomly chose 5 winners:
41st entry: David L.
27th entry: Kurt H.
67th entry: Evan K.
19th entry: John P.
55th entry: Lutz B.
The winners will receive a private email with details. If you think you won but didn’t get an e-mail, contact us.
Registration opens for everybody, golden ticket or otherwise, on March 31. Do consider coming anyway even without the free ticket. Compared to any other full-week vacation it’s cheap, and most attendees report it to be an amazing, not-to-be-missed, sometimes life-changing experience.
(Warning: Picture from 1994. Products shown may vary from actual products.)
KansasFest 2017, the 29th annual Apple II convention, is scheduled for July 18 – 23 in Kansas City, Missouri. Antoine Vignau and Olivier Zardini, the French Brutal Deluxe Software programming team known for countless original Apple II programs and archiving efforts, will join us with a keynote presentation to celebrate the 40th anniversary of the Apple II.
Vignau and Zardini founded Brutal Deluxe Software in 1992 focusing on 16-bit software. The team created programs, such as the Convert 3200 graphics tool, and adapted games like Bille Art, The Tinies, Cogito, Blockade, and LemminGS. The team remains active and has since released numerous titles, including Cadius (disk image utility), Merlin 32 (cross-assembler), You, DustHead! (disk head cleaning utility), i’m fEDD up (disk archiving), MountIt (disk image tool), and Fishhead (file copier). They also created comprehensive archives of cassette tapes, French cracking and underground groups, machine serial numbers, and unique documentation. This year, Brutal Deluxe published demonstrations and tools for playing quadraphonic and octaphonic sound on the Apple IIgs. A quarter-century of continuing Apple II innovations and personal perspectives on the European computing scene are sure to delight and inform KansasFest attendees.
KansasFest is an annual convention offering Apple II users and retrocomputing enthusiasts the opportunity to engage in beginner and technical sessions, programming contests, exhibition halls, and camaraderie. KansasFest was originally hosted by Resource Central and has been brought to you by the KFest committee since 1995. Any and all Apple II users, fans, and friends are invited to attend this year’s event. Registration details will be announced on the KansasFest Web site, and registration will open on March 31. For photos, videos, and presentations from past KansasFests, please browse the “Sessions” and “Multimedia” sections of our site.
It’s a crazy week of non-stop coding, learning, sharing and fellowship with other Apple II enthusiasts! (1) We’re expecting 70-80 (or more) people this year!
Due to a generous contribution by a member of our community, we are pleased to announce there will be 5 free slots open for first time attendees. All you have to do is get to the conference.
Your registration, double-occupancy room (2) and cafeteria expenses will be paid for. You’ll get to participate in all sessions, the Garage Giveaway and enjoy lots of quality time with your fellow Apple II enthusiasts. Bring your Apple II, enter the contests, work on projects… have fun!
Conference t-shirt, pillow and linens and participation in optional, off-site activities (Tuesday evening dinner, movie night, trips to local arcades) are not covered, but pretty much everything else is. (3)
All we ask is that you make the commitment to show up and participate. Any cancellations will be awarded to a runner-up.
We want five new attendees at KansasFest 2017! Will one of them be you? Request a Golden Ticket now and drawings will be March 15.
Small Print
OK, we admit there are also a few Atari fans, and other vintage gear heads who foolishly invested in some other alt-computer platforms back in the day.
You’ll be roomies with someone. It’s a college dorm, so plan on your own twin bed. If you know someone attending the conference, you can request a specific roommate. Otherwise, you’ll be randomly matched with another person.
We’ll be happy to sell you a t-shirt. Really. Pillows, linens (sheets and towels) are optional. You can buy a set from us at the conference, or bring your own. You can keep the linens at the end of the conference, or donate them to a homeless shelter we’ve partnered with.
Mike Whalen has created an audio diary of KansasFest 2016. The people who gather from around the world to celebrate the Apple II make KansasFest special, and the diary shares personal stories and histories.
Pat Kern has shared photos,a wonderful “Year Book”, and four slideshows. The photos and slideshows have been available for awhile, but the “Year Book” has only recently been discovered and shared.
Pat Kern has shared photos and a wonderful “Year Book”. The “Year Book” includes great stories, biographies, and pictures. This year was known as “DIY KFest” since 1995 was the first event without a corporate organizer. Also, this was the first year with event t-shirts.
Did you see our new cart? James Littlejohn turned a broken golf cart into the “KFest Kart of Awesomeness”. Many folks, especially attendees with mobility challenges, enjoyed rides to the cafeteria and elsewhere around campus.
