Historicon 2019 Recap

Did you miss the biggest historical wargaming convention of the year? Not to worry--Little Wars TV is bringing you all the coverage from Historicon 2019! We'll show you a bunch of our favorite games from the weekend and talk about the first year at a new venue in downtown Lancaster, Pennsylvania. If you want to see more convention coverage, we'll be airing a number of interviews in the coming weeks, including one with the newly elected HMGS president.
For more of the best historical wargaming videos on the web, visit us at www.LittleWarsTV.com
To learn more about HMGS and their upcoming convention schedule, stop by their headquarters at hmgs.org

[@brianbright7501]

I think what makes you guys the best is the chemistry between you all. You all look like good friends on and off the camera. I so look forward to seeing each video you guys make. Makes me want to move and join LIttle wars!!!!! You all are once again the GREATEST!!!!

[@stanleymelvin1519]

I guess im randomly asking but does anyone know a way to log back into an Instagram account?? I stupidly lost my password. I appreciate any tricks you can offer me!

[@ariangenesis3955]

@Stanley Melvin instablaster =)

[@hamm6035]

There is no channel as refreshing, interesting, funny, as yours. I am so happy I came across you. Thanks!

[@MrCaptbear42]

It was great to meet you guys. I didn't have time to speak to one or two of you as I would have liked but WOW what an amazing convention. My self and two life long friends attended and gamed and gamed. We arrived Wednesday and gamed 0900 to 2300 each day.... we were exhausted by the end but it was a blast. Loved the venue, food that was available and best was drink carts with wine and BEER! to help take the edge of some bad die rolls....LOL Thanks Miles and Kieth for putting on two of the best games I played in all weekend. Only game close was David with ESR Napoleonics. I could go on and on, so stoked from a great weekend of tossing dice and pushing miniatures. Thanks for documenting and putting on great games. Barry...

[@IronIvanKeith]

It was my pleasure! Glad you enjoyed the game and hope to see you again at Fall In (though it's at Valley Forge, not sure what that'll do for everyone's attendance).

[@diegogiurgola982]

I am very jealous of you guys! Here in Italy there is nothing comparable to this event, wow! Thank you for your coverage, I am more than ever interested in historical wargaming! Also, bloopers are so awesome!!!

[@deathguarddavegoogley2022]

I’m coming to Historicon from the U.K. for my 50th birthday in a couple of years. Can’t wait! Glad to see the venue is a good one.

[@starbugmechanic5236]

I have traveled through time from the futuristic year TWO THOUSAND!

[@e-4airman124]

thank you so much. i am really getting into this Little Wars TV

[@TonyAguilarFigure-atively]

Great video. Had a great time at this new location and was pleased that the parking situation wasn't a big deal. A/C in tourney area was COLD which is unusual but quite welcome. Even though I spent almost the entire time since Wednesday evening in the tourney area, I did manage to take a look around on the other floors for the games some of which you mentioned. One of the best shows since 2006 when I first attended. Looking forward to next year.

[@LittleWarsTV]

Agreed--most of the guys here agreed this was the most fun we've had at a convention in years. Just having easy walking access to the market and great food/drinks makes a huge difference.

[@militarywargaming7840]

This is excellent presentation and reporting well done gentlemen.

[@philRminiatures]

Wish I'll go there one day, wonderful video, event, and tables...the firing ship is awesome...Many thanks for sharing!👍👍

[@DeerHunter308]

Years (1975?) ago I was starting to get into WW II 1/284 war gaming, then life got in the way. I will look up you web site and plan on attending 2020 Convention.

[@Rusty_Gold85]

Bloody amazing how much money is put into wargaming in every aspect . Its quite a rich diverse Hobby

[@mcflyfraser]

Now I can't wait for your other videos :)

[@baliusd]

I have to agree, It was a great convention and I look forward to going again. Greg's Gettysburg game was awesome and I'm glad the To Capture the King game won an award!!! I wish I had got to play!

[@HerooftheTable]

This is a convention that I would love to make it to someday.

[@tswims92]

Great looking tables. I hope y’all had a lot of fun. The venue sounds great too. Still alittle sad it was moved from Fredericksburg a couple of years ago, but hopefully I will be able to make it to this new venue eventually.

[@LittleWarsTV]

In our upcoming interview with the new HMGS president, he talks about his goal of moving a show back down toward Fredericksburg to spread out the shows geographically. I think it would be a good idea.

[@NewYork-tu5uq]

The sad thing is I went to that same hotel for a wedding not a few days after 😫😫😫

[@douglassouthwell2088]

I said I would come back to Historicon if they moved out of the black hole of the Host. They moved and I came back. It was a great location for a convention. I had a lot of fun and even my son had fun. There was so much food to be found in the surrounding blocks, or even in the con it was great. Never felt unsafe any place we wondered in the local area. Unless something comes up, I plan on coming back next year.

[@StaleBaguette]

Danm, I never knew there was a historicon, I better hop on that.

[@rorylyons1091]

John Bolton just loves wars don't he, he's even on the hmgs staff.

[@ivorevans13]

I hope you guys made it up to the third floor to see that amazing 28mm Pegasus Bridge table, possibly the best table of the entire event imho 😀

[@LittleWarsTV]

Yes and it was awesome! The Pegasus Bridge game won an award, as well.

[@PerposterusGossamerPossum]

Khorne cares not from whence the blood flows. Only that it flows. Looks great you had a great looking bunch of boards, so many awesome models. Bringing glory to the hobby.

[@rossmcmahon4964]

Blood for the blood god! Skulls for the skull thrown!

[@casbahowl8128]

Enjoy your little toy soldiers nerd

[@rossmcmahon2584]

@@casbahowl8128 Bruh... of the 13 videos listed in your playlists, 8 of them are Warhammer. I am assuming you know what Warhammer is at it's core, right? Also lol, its my brother from another

[@basicminiaturepainting]

Awewome video i so need to go to one of these conventions

[@tonymarano2664]

You do!

[@generalnick2.072]

you deserve more subscribers

[@dalewood3676]

Well done Gents!

[@BodyGuardOfLies1]

I have only recently found your channel and so am playing catch up with you videos. The thing that struck me about this vid apart from the interesting content and obviously wonderful weather was the lack of masks. I hope the world returns to normal soon.

[@LittleWarsTV]

Good lord yes. It's downright nostalgic to watch these old videos and see a convention full of people having fun without masks. Let's hope we've turned the corner on a better 2021! We're intending to go to the rescheduled Historicon this November.

[@jeremybain3830]

Oh my God that was a Bob Semple tank mini?! lmao

[@johnwayneeverett6263]

paris game was best....wow

[@redmist1122]

I had to back out last month from attending due to family emergency...but I'm glad you were able to provide an overview of the convention. I hope to make Cold Wars. Will Cold Wars be held n the same place? Thanks again.

[@LittleWarsTV]

Cold Wars 2020 is going to be back at the Lancaster Host, which supposedly will be fully renovated by then. It's the last year HMGS is under contract for a show at the Host.

[@redmist1122]

Oh, ok. thanks for that update.

[@nickkobe9729]

GAME!!

[@charlesrichardson6027]

Nice job. It looked like there was a little more diversity then I've usually seen. A good sign. And while not historic... having a Star Wars (and Zombie?) game will hopefully bring in many more folks.

[@casbahowl8128]

Charles Richardson exactly, diversity is our strength! Nothing is good unless we have less white men clogging up the tables.

[@brunneng38]

I didn’t attend this year because of the new venue (as didn’t a lot of randoms I know from gaming stores who usually go). Heard too many stories about parking. Maybe next year.

[@LittleWarsTV]

Always some growing pains with a totally new venue, and there are some things that could be improved next year, but parking wasn't really an issue at all. We did hear a few predictable complaints from a handful of people who had to walk two whole blocks to reach the Marriott (God forbid!), but even if you didn't get into the main garage attached to the venue, ample parking could be found if you were willing to walk a block or two.

[@richmcgee434]

How's the area for street parking, though? I've had car break-ins at cons in the past, and a friend of mine had his just outright stolen from the curb - thankfully recovered within hours, but still not a good experience.

[@richmcgee434]

Fair enough. Maybe next year then. The show itself has always been a joy to attend, it's mostly the Host and then the long drive down south that put me off in years past.

[@brunneng38]

Tony Marano Well I’m glad I posted this and got some feedback. If secure parking isn’t an issue I’ll definitely come up next year.

[@benjialvarez5560]

You should do a battle of Stalingrad

[@1teamski]

Was not happy to say the least, that as a member of the HMGS that there was no discount to the $30 single day admission charge. Needless to say, I didn't renew. What is the purpose of membership?

[@johnwayneeverett6263]

tony steve thanks next year i want to have a table set up .....can you help with info for a table set up ........thanks

[@LittleWarsTV]

If you want to set up a table to run a game or a table to sell stuff at the vendor hall or flea market, you can register ahead of time on the HMGS website. They post regular updates about when registration is open (usually a good 3 months before the show) and there are instructions on their site.

[@RobertWF42]

How are the game sessions organized at Historicon? Do you sign up to play a specific game ahead of time, or can walk-ons just show up & start pushing lead after a brief rules explanation?

[@LittleWarsTV]

Games are posted ahead of time online (about 450+ games were run this year) and players can register and sign up for game sessions ahead of time. Maybe half of the slots are typically booked in this manner. The rest of the games are open for players who walk up and ask to join. And from experience I can tell you that about 30% of players who do pre-register for a game are "no shows" so for all except the most popular tables you can usually find your way into a game. Rules are usually taught at the game for anyone who doesn't know how to play (this is common, guys are usually trying out new games they have not played before).

[@RobertWF42]

@@LittleWarsTVWonderful, thank you. First reaction upon seeing this video: The minis are exquisite! Second reaction: . . . and I don't have any minis I can bring to the con that compare!

[@WARdROBEPlaysWWII]

A mine?!

[@gorganhorn6872]

2:31 famous last words…

[@soliisoul3172]

Curious-has anyone extended such venues to school teachers in an effort to expose students to the world of history? I've always admired the subject and thought the creative exposure of wargaming could serve greater interest in not only attracting younger generations, but increased involvement to the gaming community. Visual stimulation is sometimes the best educator. No 79R, but rather a 13A who loves the channel.

[@LittleWarsTV]

HMGS does have an initiative to get teachers involved in running wargames for their classes. They offer small grants to buy some supplies for the games, too. It would be nice to see that initiative expanded on a wider scale, but it's an excellent concept.

[@carabus0354]

Forgive me for saying this but is there any other footage of the show? You cannot cover 4 days of content in 6 minuets... I ask because I'd like to see more.

[@LittleWarsTV]

We have lots of other convention-based videos that will be rolling out next week and over the following month. Interviews, a great segment from the War College, and footage with some award-winning GMs.

[@carabus0354]

@@LittleWarsTV That's excellent, I shall keep an eye out. I don't get over to the States to go to these events from the UK.

[@richmcgee434]

Interesting. Haven't been in years and years, but I've watched the decline of the Host and the multiple location shifts with quite a bit of concern. The new venue certainly looks nice online, although it's rather expensive for something in Lancaster with the attendant Pennsylvania driving issues and downtown parking woes. Wonder how the dealers liked the setup and how business was for them.

[@garettfrigon2810]

Any chance of a 2021???

[@LittleWarsTV]

Sounds like 50/50. We are hopeful!

[@paulcurlin2789]

Bare feet on the gaming table 00:05 ? No thank you :-)

[@charlesnope9921]

My very first thought about the video hahaha

[@johnwayneeverett6263]

where are the perry bros...

[@sirus976]

Quick question how do you partake in a game in hostoria con also where is the convention?

[@LittleWarsTV]

It's held each July and is currently in Lancaster, PA. You can pre-register to play in the games or show up and walk into many games as they are starting.

[@sirus976]

@@LittleWarsTV so I just walk up when they are setting up to partake

[@tateroyal9811]

3:30 bob semple tank

[@paulcurlin2789]

Very jealous of the minis and games, though.

[@kennethp1423]

I did a demo game next to the bugle guy. Was annoying. Not a little bit, but a lot. I’m sure he thought it brought flash and flavor to his game. And perhaps he’s right. But I was like 4 feet from his sound full eruptions. It wasn’t cool.

[@brunneng38]

kenneth p No one told him to shove that bugle up his ass? And was it more annoying than playing a civil war game against a guy using a faux southern accent?

[@LittleWarsTV]

We heard the bugle from across the room, don't worry. While these kinds of gags are fun, there's no question that the gaming area is loud enough already without the introduction of bugles and drums going at regular intervals.

[@johnholly469]

Perhaps a polite request that he stop using the bugle should have been made? I'd bet he would have stopped (I briefly spoke with him before his game and he didn't seem like a jerk--just having a bit of fun).

[@marvinveeder5623]

Did you say anything to him?

[@johnholly469]

Marvin Veeder as I said, I spoke to him briefly before he started the game. No bugle calls until after I left.

[@ARIES5342]

Lead poison ok but you are gonna draw the line at asbestos? Maybe wargaming is not for you? You probably eat vegetables and properly hydrate yourself! Adam