Why Pennsic should not be your first event!
How to make Pennsic a successful event.
By
Lady Cillene O Caollaidhe, Shire of Eisental, 24 June 2023
I cannot even state the overwhelming feeling and rush of your first war! Hopefully it is a pleasant experience. Just a quick note: I am not an English major. I have a traumatic brain injury, so please go easy on my writing skills.
Background: Pennsic XXV was my first event. I just heard of the SCA a few months previously. My roommate, Jane, talked me into going. We had 3 sets of quickly sewn garb and a borrowed a nylon tent. The last Thursday was our first day. Driving down I79 South we were agog at the number of trailers, cars, and tents on our right. Excitement abound in our car. Upon arrival we hit troll. After trolling in we stood at the intersection and stopped and dropped our jaws. There at the pay phone (which is not there anymore) was a tall and handsome man with a Mohawk down his back, in a loin cloth, chatting away. Several people walked passed and chuckle while other females stopped and ogled with us.
Finding our camp took forever because we had no idea where we were going. Our arrival and the camp itself was not very positive. Apparently, the camp itself did not know we were camping there. This is not a good thing. Trust me. The camp was so overcrowded we were literally next to one another in the back. We were not the only unregistered campers to show up. There were about 15 of us total. It was a sea of pimple tents. We set up our tent, thankfully with help, since it was our first setting up a tent. We shoved our stuff inside and took the car back. What a drive. The parking lot is HUGE! They have buses that travel the site. Know your bus routes. They have a bus tracking app. Google it.
We used to get, and hopefully will again, booklets that contains lots of wonderful information. Classes, Pennsic University, activities, court times, battles, maps, and more.
We got back to our tent and garbed up and took off. Merchants! Food court! Looking at the various camping groups. There is so much to see!!!
We ate, shopped, and got back to camp. We chatted with some other people in which Pennsic XXV happened to be their first event too. At o-dark-thirty, the four of us took off to wonder and hit the bog. At camp we heard of the parties at the bog. There are now FB pages listed the various parties. Remember your ID if you want to get into a party. During the evening we came back to camp due to the chatter of the impending tornado.
The tornado passed close by Coopers Lake. There we stood in our tent holding it up as the rain hit us in our face. I did mention previously that was borrowed a nylon tent. What we didn’t know was the tent was very old and threat bare. I was amazed it withstood the pounding rain. Luckily, for some odd reason, I brought garbage bags. As Jane held up our borrowed nylon tent I gathered some of our stuff and shoved it into the garbage bags. Our bedding was hit the hardest. After the rain passed we got out and people were like, why are you so wet. Even though our arrival was not appreciated, we were yelled at because we did not ask for help. Point to read from this? Even though the camp was not happy with our unknown arrival, they were upset we did not ask for help.
We went out traveling again once the tornado had passed. After a grand night of ogling, drinking, and talking with new friends, we returned to our camp. That night we slept on the ground in our damp sleeping bags. Even though I bagged everything, most of our stuff was already damp/wet. Upon waking up Jane was a grump because she had huge blisters on the back of her heels. Why? Because she did not wear socks in her boots. I never ever met anyone more miserable and grumpy than Jane with blisters. We drove to my grandparents Friday morning. Thankfully they lived 45 minutes away. Our surprise arrival was received happily even though we were covered in mud and looked like poor street urchins. We had to rinse our clothes before washing due to everything being wet. After a filling lunch, warm showers, and hours of laundry, we made it back to site around 6pm. We had comfy outdoor pads to sleep on and clean/dry clothes, blankets, and pillows.
Friday evening I went out without Jane because she was not able to walk due to her blisters. I had a grand evening of walking amuck, drinking wisely, and talking. Saturday I walked around myself since Jane was not able wander. Blisters. No socks. Need I say more? I brought her back a bread bowl and that cheered her up. Thankfully, the rest of war went well, until the walk back to the parking lot when I realized I lost my Pennsic XXV medallion.
Now that you’ve read about my first Pennsic, let me help you make your Pennsic smoother.
I will go through my steps when preparing for Pennsic.
Time Off and Money
Since I am on disability, I do not have to worry about taking off/getting vacation time from work. Do you? The most important thing to prepare for is money. Gas to get there and back. Tolls there and back. Snacks and beverages for ride to and from. Troll gate fees. Shopping. Camping with a group? Site fee? This is what some groups charge for use of a kitchen, shower, fire wood for fires, etc. Food plan? Make certain you budget for everything. There is an EMS on site, but do you have insurance for emergencies?
What's new for Pennsic 50?
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Adult 2 Weeks gate fee is $250.00. Adult 2 Weeks preregistration deposit is $215.00. Adult 1 Week gate fee is $210.00. Adult 1 Week preregistration deposit is $175.00. Minor preregistration/gate fee is $30.00. Infant preregistration/gate fee is $10.00. There is a $25.00 discount at the gate for SCA members and a $10.00 discount for paid preregistrations. |
Car Maintenance
Get your car serviced for a trip. Maintenance is very important. Breaking down on your way to Pennsic is not fun. Pennsic 28 or 29 my friend’s car broke down. She was following me. Thankfully it was just 1.5 hours from site. She broke down on the turnpike so I had to go to the next exit to get her. This means I had to go to site, unload, and turn back and get her and her gear.
Directions
Have your route planned? How to get there and back? Know of a back-up route in case of accidents or whatever? Thankfully we have cell phones and the internet with access most everywhere.
Going from Coopersburg to Cooper's Lake Event Venue and Campground via Exit 226, north of Allentown, to exit 57, for I79, is $22.90 with an E-ZPass and $46.70 with an E-ZPass. This is a 328 mile trip that takes about 5 hours, depending on stops, traffic and construction.
Going from Coopersburg to Cooper's Lake Event Venue and Campground via Rt 80 and taking the turnpike to the Wilkes-Barre exit is $5.80 with an E-ZPass and $12.20 with an E-ZPass. This is a 325 mile trip that takes about 5 hours and 20 minutes, depending on stops, traffic and construction.
Packing your car
Make certain your tent goes in last or close to last. That goes up first. I used to pack my car first up goes in last. This will make life easier. Make certain your Tetris skills are spot on! Pack smartly. If it’s smashable smash it in wherever it fits. Utilize all spaces in the car. Trailer? Truck? This makes life easier.
Packing for the event
· Sneakers, sandals, boots, garb shoes, comfy shoes, broken in shoes, inserts even. More than one pair of shoes. Shoes that can get muddy. Lots of socks. Comfy socks. Warm socks.
· Natural fibers are your friend!!!! Camp garb, stuff that you can just hang out and relax in
· Pants, shorts, garb pants, garb skirts, belt
· Underwear, bras, sports bras, garb kirtles, jammies
· Blankets, pillows, comfy sleeping gear (air mattress, foam mattress, cot…) It can get down to the 50s some nights and 100s during the day, rugs
· T-shirts, tops, garb tops
· Jewelry, garb bling, baskets, plastic bins to pack your gear in, hats with brims
· Feast gear (cups, silverware, plates, bowls), lightweight mug you can carry or put on a mug strap on your belt
· Cloak, coat, rain coat, umbrella
· Tent, tent poles, tent stakes, ropes, hammer, mallet, chair, tarp, cart, and drink lots of water while setting up!
· Craft supplies, armor, weapons, duct tape
· First aid kit, medications, sunblock-apply often
· Batteries, flashlights, Cpap? Adapters for your Cpap battery, disability services to register for battery charging
· Lotions, shampoo, soap, towels, wet naps, razor, brush, face wash/wipes, toothbrush/past, floss
· Laundry bag & detergent, (you can wash in camp and hang dry to save money just don’t leave it out overnight due to the dew, trash bags
· Bug spray-I prefer lavender, cinnamon for tent floor-ants and spider repellent
· Food if not on a food plan, personalized snacks
· Notebook, pen, for classes and notes
· SCA membership card for discount
· Cooler for food/drinks
· Torches, solar powered are great since open flames are not always permitted, lanterns for inside your tent
· Pennsic Medallion must be worn at all times. I get mine adorned. There is a leather shop on the Coopers store side that puts a wooden lady out with the previous years of adorned medallions. $5. I actually do my own now. Carry your ID, credit cards, ATM card, and money on you at all times. If you do not have a secure camp, don’t take anything expensive that you can’t keep on you. Sadly. I carry a small bag for all my important stuff and a satchel (made of plaid) for other stuff. I don’t take much bling. Honestly, it gets too hot during the day and at this point in my life I don’t even bother anymore.
· Parties. Please exercise good judgment when attending. Be wary of people offering you unopened drinks. You DO NOT want any unpleasant physical surprises. Don’t drink to excess, don’t end up a casualty of alcohol poisoning. Know your limits. Buddy up, go with friends who can safely escort you back to your camp.
· Pets - NO PETS ALLOWED. Don’t EVEN consider bringing your pet dog or cat to Pennsic, they’re NOT allowed. No “emotional support” pets, permitted. Veterans with PTSD, yes. Legitimate service dogs ARE allowed, but dogs must be registered at Gate when you check in. Go to the official Pennsic War website for more information on Disability Services
This is just a basic list, but personalize and double check and google ‘what to pack for Pennsic’ for ideas. It’s better to be prepared. I like to have enough so I don’t have to do laundry.
When should you arrive at Pennsic 50? (Stolen from ‘Pennsic War’ FB Page)
Remember, the big changes this year are:
Make good choices! |
