been to a lot of sf cons in the 80s,
(mostly in the north west which was where i was living at the time)
never been to one that became a street faire.

back in the day, conventions were primarily about "how to" panels.
there was a dealer's room, but it was always a secondary, even tertiary function.

even the art shows weren't primarily art auctions, though of course that function did exist.
people did go to have a good time, but not so much to shop or party.

there may have been dj'd dances, but there was more home grown filk singing and underground media.

ren faires of course were open air from the beginning, but they were more reinactment villages.
a sciffy con could be an alternative world or worlds,
but that would involve a lot more of creative construction then what appears to be principally a themed outdoor market.

A Steampunk DJ! Great idea.

This was in Lakeland?

V.

Bartow. They set aside five blocks of Main Street for the event. A newspaper article yesterday estimated 30,000 people attended.

wow...

V.

whoa

Nifty, eh?