"Who's going to Little Wars 2024?" Topic

Registration and room blocks are open.

I'm looking at making it a full weekend.

Anyone else planning on going?

I have never been to Little Wars. How does it compare to Historicon?

Little Wars is the main con for HMGS Midwest.
It's in Lombard Illinois, so it's closer to you.
Location is good. Games are excellent as are the vendor selection.
Here's the official link: hmgsmidwest.com/little-wars

Perhaps the better question is, How does Little Wars compare to Cold Wars? The answer is, Little Wars is happening!

Good one Bob! I'll be going to Little Wars.

Little Wars is a very good con. Decent vendor hall and loads of great games. Not as bog as H-con but quality is just as good. Worth a trip.

Thanks! I will check it out. And a 6-hour drive does beat a 19-hour drive for sure.

In the planning stage now. Vacation dates blocked off.

I'll be there on Saturday as usual with my 14-year-old grandson in tow.

This will be my first time as I usually go to all the HMGS East conventions. Coming from western Ohio, it is closer then the East conventions.

Even getting the wife to go as the convention site is 10 minutes from her cousin!

Kim

I will be there doing Lion Rampant this year. Mercia Vs.Vikings and Norman on Norman. I am taking a year off from running my large BattleTech game. My son will be in tow helping out. LittleWars was the first miniatures show I ever took him to when he was eight. Now he is 26 and is a terrific painter.

I'm going but probably not staying this year, work stuff. Waiting to hear how to cancel since part of a room block.

I am planning to go.

As stated above, not as large as the the three main eastern conventions, but in my experience and opinion, the percentage of quality games has been higher.

Hope to see you there Saber6.

Tom

I will be there running modern games using the InCountry rules from Enemy Spotted Studios.

Badge and event submission opened on January 1st. Rough numbers for this year project 700 attendees, 250+ events, 25+ vendors, The staff is also working to have local television news coverage, Live Podcasts, the Wounded Warrior Raffle, Table and Theme Game awards, Re-enactors, Paint and Take, Flea Market, and a Painting Contest. Tournaments will also be held, Friday night, Saturday and Sunday.

Returning this year is "Little Wars After Dark" and our GM Lounge.

The theme is First to Fight, and in conjunction with the 1st Infantry Division Museum in Wheaton, free admission and parking for badge Holders. It is 15 minutes away from the sight.

link

I will be rolling out my new Pickett's Charge game with 54mm figures.

I'm going to give Little Wars a try this year in lieu of Historicon. Also convinced two friends to do the same.

pjm

I am close to going. Will likely get a room reserved this weekend.

@kcabai -- can you provide more information about the flea market? How many? What times? Thanks.

Janaury newsletter drops tonight. I will post the link here with the LW updates.

HMGS-Midwest January Newsletter

Happy New Year to my fellow gamers,

The Tabletop Events page is now open for your event submissions and Early Bird Badge purchases. The volunteer page is also open. and we are hoping that we will have the same great response as last year. Remember this is YOUR organization and YOUR convention. help us make each event greater than the last one.

Additional updates about Little Wars include, Flames of War/Team Yankee Tournaments, Convention Sponsors, Preliminary Vendor List, Little Wars After Dark, and the return of the Flea Market.

Finally we have our HMGS-Midwest Annual Financial Report, information on upcoming conventions, and the annual calendar. Stay warm this month and get your painting done!

Kevin Cabai,
President HMGS-Midwest

link

"Perhaps the better question is, How does Little Wars compare to Cold Wars? The answer is, Little Wars is happening!"

I don't think you can compare Little Wars to Historicon. The number and quality of games at Historicon the past two years has been off the charts.

That being said I'd consider attending both.

TRU

"I don't think you can compare Little Wars to Historicon. The number and quality of games at Historicon the past two years has been off the charts."

1: Little Was has grown considerably.

2: Little Wars also doesn't have a lot of the HMGS (formerly HMGS-East) politics and issues that seem to go with it, (missing ballots, questions about member meetings, etc.), that have been repeatedly discussed here in numerous posts.

3: Little Wars also doesn't have a room block that seems to supposedly sell out in less than five minutes causing a lot of grief and frustration. And while the room block can sell out, there are numerous options within easy walking distance.

4: Little Wars also is considerably easier on the pocket book. Although Illinois is tax happy, it's still slightly below Pennsylvania.

5: The Little Wars badge will also get you free admission and parking to the 1st ID Museum, (which is 15 mins away).

6: If you want to take a day off from the con, or stay a day longer, go to the Chicago Museum of Science and visit the U-505.

7: Little Wars location has a wide variety of dining establishments, nearby to include: steaks, seafood, Italian, sushi, a Beni-Hana, German, Burgers, Pub Food, Chinese, Tex-Mex, and more.

8: The number and quality of games at Little Wars has been considerably rising also.

I think you would like it if you tried it.

Oh, and if you like cigars, I can recommend a nice cigar lounge nearby. And if you show up, I'll buy a LGC for you.

Murphy
(Not a HMGS-MW BOD guy. Just a guy that likes what HMGS-MW has done with Little Wars.)

Why no flea market on Saturday morning?

Schogun, probably so it doesn't clash with the hours that the vendors are open and running.

I'm local, so I'll probably attend for one of the days, just to look around; haven't been since Pandemic. Probably won't play in a game, but who knows.

As an aside, anyone know why conventions don't allow demonstration games (where participation is closed, but the concept is judged to be of general interest)? Is it a space issue?

@ Murphy
I'm not really troubled with any of the points you've listed and I try to ignore all the irrational haters. I was just referring to the exceptional quality of the games at Historicon the past couple years (really off the charts post Covid) and the venue is quite excellent despite its minor shortcomings.
As I also mentioned I was considering going to Little Wars to see what it was like.
I'll never understand the impulse to bad mouth one convention to promote another.

The pond is big enough for everyone.

PS. I will have to check out that cigar lounge when I go.

TRU

Now…. I just need to decide whether to fly or to drive?

TRU

"I'll never understand the impulse to bad mouth one convention to promote another."

I've never understood it either, but I also don't think I was bad mouthing H con. There has been enough of that here over the years.
I know of the issue with the rooms on the very opening day of the room block had a lot of people p*ssed off.

I'm hoping that things get settled with the room block at H con. For me the trip there is just too pricey.