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Co-chair Louise Behnke is pointed out in the crowd by (from left) Tyler Tucker, dressed as Renji; Jonathan Bolte in chainmail vest; Sarah Bloy, as a citadel guard from "Lord of the Rings"; Robert Laib as Nekozawa; and others at last year's Geek.kon. - File photo

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Don't be surprised to see Queen Amidala, Draco Malfoy or Frodo wandering around campus this weekend.

Whether decked out as one these popular science fiction/fantasy characters or not, more than 1,000 aficionados of everything from computer games to science fiction will head to the University of Wisconsin-Madison for the second annual Geek.kon.

For those who think the world of geekdom is only about computers, the free Geek.kon conference shows numerous other facets of geek life.

Geek.kon again will include various types of games, screenings of anime and sci-fi films, music, costuming, vendors and panel discussions.

"You can know very little about computers and still be considered a geek just by reading primarily science fiction or fantasy books or comics or watching Japanese cartoons on cable at night," said Geek.kon spokesperson Erin Burke. "Of course, it helps to know a good deal about computers and how to post on forums because that's where you get a lot of your ideas from and where people suggest things to you."

Burke, who also volunteered at the first Geek.kon, said organizers added a whole new floor of activities at Vilas Hall this year that will feature two role-playing game rooms and two collectible cards game rooms.

"A lot of the programming is similar to last year but also different," said Burke, a 2003 UW-Madison graduate and artist. "For example, the sci-fi viewing room this year is going to have a theme: 'Remember Your Childhood.' We were able to get permission to show (old television) shows like 'Thundercats' and Terry Pratchett's 'Discworld.'" (Pratchett is an English fantasy, science fiction and children's author who has sold more than 55 million books worldwide.)

Special guests scheduled to appear include Madison's own Matt Sloan and Aaron Yonda, the well-known creators of the video series "Chad Vader" that has been an Internet sensation, and the local Studio Anti Thesis, a group of artists and writers who create small-press comics.

Also appearing are comic musician Luke Sienkowski, aka The Great Luke Ski, who was declared "Most Requested Artist of the 21st Century" at DragonCon 2004 (the largest sci-fi and fantasy convention in the country); Sarah Monette, author of fantasy and horror novels and short stories; and a video chat with actress Felicia Day that will include portions of "The Guild," her Web series about people who play MMOG (massive multiplayer online games) and actually meet each other in real life. Day starred as "Vi" on the TV series "Buffy the Vampire Slayer."

Joss Whedon, creator of the popular "Buffy" as well as the Internet musical series "Dr. Horrible," (starring Neil Patrick Harris of "How I Met Your Mother" and "Doogie Howser, M.D.") will be the subject of a panel discussion Saturday from noon-2 p.m.

Paul Wiesner, creator of the MadisonDorks Yahoo! group, will moderate the Worlds of Whedon panel, and said the goal is to "spread the gospel," and possibly introduce fans of "Buffy" to Whedon's other work.

Last year the panel drew about 50 people and will again be geared to participation.

"We're all just fans," said Wiesner, 35, who works at University Book Store. "I've been to a lot of panels where you just listen to the panelists talk. And I've been to panels where people on the panel guide the discussion but people are free to raise their hands and ask questions, and that's what I prefer it to be."

Geek.kon, Wiesner said, is "just an opportunity to get together with other like-minded dorks and have a ball."

As the co-chair of Odyssey Con, a similar convention held in April in Madison, Wiesner also will be working to promote it at Geek.kon.

Burke said part of the purpose of Geek.kon is making such connections.

"Lots of people are trying to set up these conventions and we'll discuss tactics, planning a budget, how to work with large organizations like the university," she said. "Others have helped us out."

The idea for Geek.kon came from Louise Behnke, president of the UW Sci-fi Club, and Jackie Lee, president of the UW Anime Club.

"They had both gone to conventions before and that's kind of a big thing for the fandom -- for a lot of people to get together and share their experiences," Burke said. "It's more personal than discussing this stuff with people over the Internet where you only see the user name and maybe an avatar (an online icon that represents a computer user). They got together and eventually they got enough students to want to help put something on and that's when they started to get serious about doing a convention."

Many in last year's crowds, especially the younger attendees, were drawn by the "cosplay" (where people dress in elaborate costumes and assume the personality of their character) costume contest, Burke said.

The winner dressed as "Star Wars" character Padm Amidala, queen of planet Naboo.

"She was in a full red velvet gown with gold lining," Burke said. "She also had her 5-year-old daughter dressed up as Marie Antoinette with a powdered wig and everything. (Cosplay) is very big and some people are making a good living making these costumes."

The anime viewing room and role playing games also were very popular. "We had a big draw for the beginning Dungeons and Dragons game," Burke said.

With the additional space at Vilas Hall, space should not be an issue even if attendance surpasses projections, Burke said.

"We do have a lot of stuff going on but I think we'll be all right," she said. "And we're already set for 2009."

Last year's inaugural Geek.kon drew nearly 2,000 -- more than triple the 600 who pre-registered -- but the weaker economy is expected to hold down attendance this year.

"I think it will probably be somewhat less than last year just because of gas prices," Burke said. "A lot of people last year came from surrounding states like Minnesota and Illinois and Indiana, so we expect a little bit of a dropoff."

Even though attendance might be down for the free convention, Burke said more volunteers are needed. According to UW policy, volunteers must be 18. For details and a full schedule of events, go to www.geekkon.net.