An event that drew hundreds of sci-fi fans, gamers, graphic novel enthusiasts and many others to the Yukon Convention Centre over the course of a weekend will not happen in 2016.

The Yukon Comic Culture Society announced last week it will postpone its signature YukomiCon event in light of the weak Canadian dollar and the challenge of raising funds for it given the current economic doldrums.

“The board has decided we would like to focus on fundraising in 2016,” society president Paul Scholz said in a statement. “We’re sorry to disappoint fans and supporters of YukomiCon, but we won’t be going away.

“We have some other great events in the works for the upcoming year, and YukomiCon will be back and better than ever in 2017.”

Last year marked the second year the society hosted YukomiCon, with more than 800 people turning up for a wide range of events.

Many dressed for the occasion, including the Yukon’s now-MP (elected last October, two months after YukomiCon) Larry Bagnell who appeared in costume as Captain Canada.

Celebrities like Marina Sirtis of Star Trek: The Next Generation, Adrienne Wilkenson of Xena: Warrior Princess and Sailor Moon’s Toby Proctor spoke to crowds and signed autographs.

Numerous other special guests hosted workshops on everything from cosplay to illustrating and publishing among many more.

While all that was happening, board game enthusiasts competed in a variety of game tournament.

Though YukomiCon has been the society’s major event for the past two years, the group has held other activities throughout the year.

They have included monthly board game nights as well as Draw and Drink events.

As Scholz stressed, while YukomiCon won’t be happening this year, the group will continue its regular programming.

That will be complemented by a number of smaller events, including a production of the Kill Shakespeare: Live Graphic Novel at the Guild Hall, June 2-4.

Kill Shakespeare’s co-creator, Conor McCreery, was a guest at last year’s YukomiCon.

April 30 will see a special board game drop-in event at the Whitehorse Public Library to mark International Tabletop Day, celebrating table top gaming.

“We’re very excited about strengthening the year-round presence of the society and geek culture in the territory while raising funds for the society and for YukomiCon,” Scholz said.

Full scheduling information will be available on the society’s Facebook page and its website www.yukomicon.com

Anyone interested in getting involved with the society can also contact the board at info@yukomicon.com

While the organization had applied for $6,000 from the city’s festival and special events grant to go toward hosting YukomiCon (with the total cost of the event expected to be $73,200) this year, it withdrew its application earlier this month.

Council will vote tomorrow evening on whether to approve festival and special events funding for 10 other events scheduled between July and December ranging from the Klondike Road Relay to the Adaka Cultural Festival.

Grant funding would total $23,600, with in-kind assistance valued at $24,901.54 for the various events.