If you're going to be celebrating your Thanksgiving holiday anywhere near Indianapolis this year, you have one more thing to be thankful for...an awesome Star Trek convention!

That's right! It's that time again, and Starbase Indy is having their yearly convention just in time to celebrate the holiday twice. The convention starts on Friday November 29th and spans the whole weekend. They have a bunch of guests this year, including three big names from Star Trek. Rene Auberjonois (Odo), Armin Shimerman (Quark), and Suzie Plakson (Worf's mate K'Ehelyr) will be guests this year, along with several actors from Stargate SG1. We love the big DS9 presence, considering that it's the show's 20th anniversary, this year!

We are huge fans of the Starbase Indy folks! They put on a great convention, with tons to do, and a welcoming atmosphere. We attended in 2010 and loved every second of it. I know we mention it with all the smaller cons, but don't forget that the smaller cons like this are totally wonderful for an up close personal experience you just don't get at the mega-cons. This convention, in particular, has a very relaxed, intimate and friendly environment...not to mention FUN! Be sure to stick around after the shows each night and you'll have even more fun at the after hours parties and events.

See Starbase Indy's official press release below:

Star Trek, Stargate actors plus science, music and gaming at Starbase Indy convention Nov. 29-Dec. 1

Starbase Indy's motto is that you can't get closer to the stars without warp drive, and the convention has a stellar lineup again this year as stars from Star Trek: Deep Space Nine, Stargate SG-1 and Star Trek: The Next Generation combine for Starbase Indy: The 18th Generation Nov. 29 to Dec. 1. It's a science fiction convention run by the fans, for the fans.

A free showing of the recent hit movie, Star Trek: Into Darkness, will be at 11:30 a.m. Friday, Nov. 29 in the Convention headquarters at the Indianapolis Marriott East at 7202 E. 21st St. And how about  a Battle of the Bands - Federation vs. Klingon style? Catch the musical fireworks between the groups iL Troubadore and Five Year Mission. This year marks round three of the battle.

For this year’s event, Rene Auberjonois (Odo) and Armin Shimerman (Quark) from Star Trek: Deep Space 9 will beam aboard. Joining them will be Teryl Rothery (Dr. Janet Frasier), Jay Acovone (Maj. Charles Kawalsky) and Musetta Vander (Shan'auc/Shauna) from SG-1 and Suzie Plakson (Worf's mate K'Ehleyr) from Star Trek: The Next Generation.
There's still more, like the Dow AgroScience Ambassadors to give youngsters a hands-on experience, knitting for geeks, panels on making low-budget movies, costuming, strong females, the Power of Myth for Writers, and physics and forensics science.

For gamers, the Indy Knights game wing, The Imperial Remnant, will train recruits in "Revenge of the X-Wing," a fantasy flight game; other sci-fi games are also planned for Star Wars and Star Trek fans.  For interactive play, the Artemis Spaceship Bridge Simulator will give teams of people the feel of what it's like to be on a starship bridge.

Starbase Indy attendees can dress as their favorite science fiction character during the weekend, indulge in some cosplay and participate in the masquerade contest on Saturday night. Other diversions include the Dealers Room with merchandise Black Friday shoppers won’t find, and the Con Suite, where attendees can relax and socialize.

One fan can win a raffle for a Klingon makeover on stage by special effects makeup artist John Paladin. In addition, the Sci-Fi Photo Guys will use professional green screen photography, custom backgrounds (over 100 to choose from), and expert digital editing to put fans in the sci-fi setting of their choosing.

Online registration for all three days of Starbase Indy is $50 through Nov. 22, and $55 at the door. Daily rates are available at the door: $30 for Friday, $45 for Saturday and $35 for Sunday. Children under 12 are free. For more information or to register, go to www.starbaseindy.com or call 317 513-8651.