26th World Science Fiction Convention

Baycon, the 26th World Science Fiction Convention
Genre	Science fiction
Venue	Hotel Claremont
Location(s)	Berkeley, California
Country	United States
Inaugurated	August 29-September 2, 1968
Attendance	1,430
Filing status	non-profit

The 26th World Science Fiction Convention, also known as Baycon, was held August 29-September 2, 1968, at the Hotel Claremont in Berkeley, California, United States.

The Worldcon was combined with the annual West Coast Science Fantasy Conference (Westercon), sharing Guests of Honor and Chairmen. The chairmen were Bill Donaho, Alva Rogers, and J. Ben Stark. The guests of honor were Philip José Farmer (pro) and Walter J. Daugherty (fan). The toastmaster was Robert Silverberg. Total attendance was approximately 1,430.

The Hugo Awards, named after Hugo Gernsback, are presented every year for the best science fiction or fantasy works and achievements of the previous year. Results are based on the ballots submitted by members of the World Science Fiction Society. Other awards are also presented each year at Worldcon.

This Worldcon was the first one that was attended by large numbers of people in the hippie subculture. A psychedelic light show was presented in the main ballroom of the hotel. Robert Silverberg gave a speech about using LSD to attain a mystical experience. Harlan Ellison read a story he had written about a hippie commune.

Poul Anderson emceed a presentation by the Society for Creative Anachronism.

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