Drop your shoe phone and put down your secret decoder ring: Spycon 8 is coming to town.
For the eighth year, fans of all spy, detective, police, adventure and mystery television programs, books and movies will gather to present game show takeoffs, a photo caption contest, a writer`s contest, raffle and fan lectures.
The convention will be held Friday through Sunday at the Quality Hotel in Palatine, and it`s not just for ”The Man From U.N.C.L.E” fans, though it all began there.
”Fans of all TV spy and detective shows attend the convention, and then there are always crossover fans,” said Susan Cole, Spycon president. ”The idea originally revolved around `The Man From U.N.C.L.E,` but it spread out from there.”
Panels will feature writers and fans discussing the spy and detective genres.
Jon Heitland, author of ”The Man from U.N.C.L.E: Behind the Story of a Television Classic,” will sit on several panels and run ”The Ultimate U.N.C.L.E. Quiz” for convention participants.
Lee Pfeiffer, co-author of the recently released book ”The World of 007,” also will speak in a panel discussion.
A charity auction will be held Saturday afternoon, with proceeds given to The Neediest Kids Fund in Chicago. Last year`s auction raised more than $1,500.
A dealers` room will be open to display and sell spy and detective memorabilia. Space is available for dealers at $40 per table.
On Saturday night, a banquet/murder mystery will be held. Banquet tickets are $22.50 per person, with limited seating.
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Spycon 8: Friday through Sunday at the Quality Hotel, 920 E. Northwest Hwy., Palatine. Room rates are $47, plus tax, per night for 1 to 4 people per room. Convention membership is $25 at the door for a three-day pass. One-day and dealers` room-only passes are also available. Call 708-705-6225 for more information.
