Fans of Stargate began descending on the Metrotown Hilton in beautiful Vancouver, British Columbia as Creation Entertainment launched their annual Official Stargate Convention on Thursday.  The four-day event gives fans a chance to see some of their favorite Stargate actors in a “super-sized” format — as holding the convention in the city the franchise films in allows for more guests to drop by.  Almost 20 celebrity guests are scheduled to appear before the weekend is out.

The con kicked off with an appearance by Peter Williams (“Apophis”), marking his first trip back to Vancouver since wrapping production on Stargate Continuum.  Williams currently is living in the Caribbean and has spent his time working on acting projects there and in Jamaica with local talent.

Asked by a fan about his feelings about his time on Stargate SG-1 as a whole, Williams said, “It was educational.  It was humbling.  But it was a godsend.  It’s shown me many things.  It’s taken me around the world.  I love sci-fi.  And I love seeing the fans!”

Williams was followed by an “attack of the Dans” as both stunt coordinator and “Sgt. Siler” actor Dan Shea and Dan Payne took the stage next.  It was a lighthearted question and answer session by two men who clearly enjoyed hanging around each other.  Their discussion eventually degraded into a push-up contest — sans shirts — with Dan Payne emerging as the victor.

Actor William B. Davis greeted fans next.  Davis, who portrayed the Ori Prior Damaris on SG-1, is most widely known for his iconic role as C.G.B. Spender — otherwise known as the Cigarette Smoking Man — on The X-Files.  A veteran actor for many decades, he detailed and entertained the crowd with several stories about his time on both series, and noted that the contact lenses he wore for his role as a Prior left him virtually blind.  Also a writer and director, Davis still enjoys acting but noted he feels most at home directing stage projects.  He also teaches acting at a Vancouver-based school he owned and operated.

Last up for the day was fan favorite Cliff Simon (“Baal”).  Simon, a native of South Africa, immediately mentioned how proud he was of last year’s Oscar-nominated film District 9, noting “it was great seeing a production done in South Africa with such high artistic and production values.”

Simon also discussed his views on everything from the Baal clones to costuming.

“I loved all the costumes,” Simon said. “I’d go in for a fitting and be blown away.  Real leather.  Everything.  The cloaks they had me wear were like forty pounds.  Very heavy and very hot!”

When asked if he could switch roles with anyone from the SG-1 cast, Simon jokingly chose  Christopher Judge (“Teal’c”).

“I’ve always wanted to know what it’s like to be a black man,” Simon said.

Keep it locked on GateWorld for more info from this year’s Creation Vancouver convention!  We’ll be updating the gallery soon with plenty of pictures from the event, and updating you on all the breaking news as it happens!