Pennsic War

SCA's biggest annual event. Held in Pennsylvania for about two weeks in late July/early August. [More content needed]

http://www.pennsicwar.org/

Advice for An Tirians Going to Pennsic

(A "Keeper posting" from the Lions Gate e-mail list; July 2007.)

Someone asked:
> Since its my first time I would appreciate other people sending me
> their words of wisdom.
> What was your favorite thing about the biggest event in our known world??
> Anything an An Tirian should pack??

Everyone should go to Pennsic! I went for the first time last year (2006) and had a terrific time. I want to go back, but it ain't gonna happen this year.

They tell me that the weather was unusually cool and crisp last year and normally it is very warm and muggy. Linen is your friend. Wear a hat. Drink lots of water. Prepare for at least one thunderstorm. Keep your bed and luggage up off the ground. Take very comfortable shoes. Shower lines are shortest (non-existant) late at night.

My favourite part was the shopping. There is *much* shopping at Pennsic. MUCH. I thought after two days worth of continuous shopping I'd pretty much covered all the merchants. Then I discovered a whole n'other section across the road... Mark items/merchants you like in the merchant book so you can find your way back.

Pack lightly and leave lots of room for the results of lots of shopping.

The classes are right up there as well. Truth be told, all I really did at Pennsic was take classes and shop. They don't do pre-registration. First-come, first-gets-the-handout. Most instructors will allow anyone who wants to to join the class. Go prepared with small bills to buy the handout and/or any materials (if it's a hands-on class). Handouts are less of an issue these days as instructors seemed very willing to e-mail a PDF of the handout to you when they got home.

Stop by the general store and try the chocolate milk. It's darned good in coffee too.

Visit the A&S display session. Many inspirational projects.

Stop by the dance tent and listen to the live musicians. (There's a dance/ball pretty much every night.)

Have lunch in the food court and make friends with the people sitting next to you.

Attend the "Whose Line Doth It Be?" improv comedy show. And see all the musician performances you can -- especially Isampitta and Wolgemut if they're there.

Take the shuttle bus (it's free) that runs around the entire camp at least once so you can get a better idea of just how big the place is. And to see all the cool "I can't believe they took a fridge to a camping event" campsites.

Go to Grand Court and see the massive display of Royalty.

Don't lose your Pennsic token. Don't leave it unattended either.

Oh yeah, they tell me there's fighting around the event somewhere as well. :-)

E.B.