a) Most gamers who went there had a great time
b) Most dealers willing to comment had a great Thursday and adequate Friday sales. Many did not discuss Saturday/Sunday, either casually or officially.
c) The Fredericksburg Convention Center decided that despite Historicon being their largest convention to date, wargamers weren't going to use the restrooms onsite and closed one of them and did not have staff dedicated to cleaning the other(s). Hilarity ensues.
Before I continue, some pics I stole from @TheGonkDS on Twitter.
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| Some Urban Battletech Goodness |
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| A Before or After Shot of the Kid's Alamo Game |
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| The Much Ballyhooed Anglo-Zanzibar War |
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| Walking space in the Dealer's Hall |
Facility: The Fredericksburg Convention Center appears new, clean, and noisy. Someone comparing to "only" the dull roar of GenCon should not be considered a compliment. The AC covered the 100+ degree days adequately but the bathrooms were a horror to exceed those from the Host.
Food: Described as"ballpark fare" at major league prices. A few gems on the menu, but otherwise on par or worse than the Host. It seemed "no outside alcohol permitted" just caught the guys coming in from Wegman's with single bottles. There were plenty of guys with well stashed coolers, just don't tell the booze police. And as somebody whose familiar with Wegman's for over a decade, it gets old fast. I'm more encouraged by two words in my con vocabulary: Sheetz and Wawa.
Hotels: Adjacent hotels were close enough that some chose to go back to their rooms rather than visit the Black Hole of Calcutta called the rest rooms. No Frogger across Rt 30 down here. Worst complaint was the lack of stock fridges in the rooms.
Dealers: The only noticeable absence on the vendor list was On Military Matters. The dealer hall looked spacious. On a side note, the flea market sounded like a work in progress at a new site. They're still working on the Host all these years. Perfectly understandable.
Traffic: Many had zero problems, while others were crucified by the fickle mistress that is I-95. If and when I go down next year, I have a route that will completely avoid it, with only a 30 minute longer drive.
All in all, the con was a success, and if the FCC is responsive to the legitimate HMGS demands, I can foresee a summer drive to Virginia becoming a fixture of our family vacations.
Next year's theme bring some excitement to my middle aged heart. The Scots at Wars. Should the Gnome Wars games... interesting.
Food: Described as"ballpark fare" at major league prices. A few gems on the menu, but otherwise on par or worse than the Host. It seemed "no outside alcohol permitted" just caught the guys coming in from Wegman's with single bottles. There were plenty of guys with well stashed coolers, just don't tell the booze police. And as somebody whose familiar with Wegman's for over a decade, it gets old fast. I'm more encouraged by two words in my con vocabulary: Sheetz and Wawa.
Hotels: Adjacent hotels were close enough that some chose to go back to their rooms rather than visit the Black Hole of Calcutta called the rest rooms. No Frogger across Rt 30 down here. Worst complaint was the lack of stock fridges in the rooms.
Dealers: The only noticeable absence on the vendor list was On Military Matters. The dealer hall looked spacious. On a side note, the flea market sounded like a work in progress at a new site. They're still working on the Host all these years. Perfectly understandable.
Traffic: Many had zero problems, while others were crucified by the fickle mistress that is I-95. If and when I go down next year, I have a route that will completely avoid it, with only a 30 minute longer drive.
All in all, the con was a success, and if the FCC is responsive to the legitimate HMGS demands, I can foresee a summer drive to Virginia becoming a fixture of our family vacations.
Next year's theme bring some excitement to my middle aged heart. The Scots at Wars. Should the Gnome Wars games... interesting.
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