jducoeur

I think it's likely that you'd encounter people you know there -- I'd guess that something like half of Carolingia attends Arisia. (No idea how many will be at the Ball: I may make it to some of it, but my last panel is in the middle of the Ball, and I'm no sort of costumer.) Patri used to run many of the balls; I'm not sure who does it nowadays, but Barbara and family still tend to show up.

I'll warn you that the con is noisy and crowded and occasionally a bit insane, but it's quite a bit of fun. Buy your membership in advance, because they've been known to sell out at the door.

And Steampunk is *very* in. I was on the "Steampunk in Comics" panel last year, and it was jammed silly...