Another year and another Historicon. With Covid restrictions now out of vogue, HMGS has their convention docket back in full swing. With the previous decision to cancel Cold Wars, I expect this to be a big event.
My plan was to drive up on Thursday and head out Saturday evening. I was unable to get a room at the event hotel. Looking at the hotel prices in the area, I was surprised how expensive the rates were. A buddy of mine found a bed and breakfast very close that was far less expensive, so we had our rooms.
We drove up on Thursday, with a stop for lunch along the way. We arrived in Lancaster, checked in to unpack at our rooms, then headed to the convention. We arrived in time to register and get into the vendor room for an early recon. We then walked around and looked at the games being run, then hit the evening flea market. It was mostly full and had plenty of people shopping. It was a little too crowded for my tastes, so I went around and looked at more games and came back later when the crowds came down. A group of us then went out for dinner and back to our respective lodgings for the night.
I was back at the event on Friday morning, in time to check out the flea market again. I then checked out the games, ran into more gaming buddies and started my long research in the vendor room. I did not pick anything up at the flea market but started my purchases in the vendor room. Another lunch break with some buddies and back to shopping! More charges on the credit card, another dinner and game walks.
As usual, the event had Painting University and Presentations. There were plenty going on, but I had already attended the listed events or had not interest, so I did not partake this time around. With this being the first event that I had a chance to chat with gamers I had not seen in years (thanks Covid), that took a large portion of my time. That and shopping!
We hit the event on Saturday and it was more shopping and more chatting. With that, we headed back home, catching dinner on the way. It was a nice event, as always. It looked like the event was well attended.
There is a challenge with a greying of the hobby and that was evident, as I did not see that many younger players. With that said, I did not see that many really old players. I suspect the latter was older people being more hesitant to be around so many people, with Omicron surging (hopefully not for more serious reasons). It may be time for HMGS to do more to bring in more popular sci-fi and fantasy games, to bring in more young people…….
- Jorg…..