TypeCon2006 Sans Registration Fees

The Society of Typographic Aficionados' annual gathering kicks off today at the Hyatt Regency. Though Bostonist harbors a lifelong love of typography, our wallets lack the $135-$345 of love required to attend TypeCon2006—punnily titled "The Boston T Party," as if they're going to throw crates of Comic Sans into the harbor.

Fortunately, TypeCon is offering some free love in a slew of special events that you can sign up for here, and the schedule isn't too shabby: a chance to print your own letterpress souvenir on one of the Firefly Press's Vandercooks, an A-to-Z walking tour of Boston's public calligraphy, and a visit to the BPL to see designs, illustrations, and marionettes made by William Addison Dwiggins, the early 20th century coiner of the term "graphic design."

We're especially psyched for an evening of typographical short films beginning at 8 p.m. tonight, including an alternate opening credits sequence for the The Da Vinci Code, new work by MK12 (creators of The Terrible Cosmic Death starring President Steve Elvis America), and a teaser for Gary Hustwit's upcoming doumentary, Helvetica.

Bostonist's favorite lettering in the entire Boston area: Mayflower Poultry Co. Will any of the walking tours make it to East Cambridge?