**AAR – Historical Miniatures Gaming Society – Pacific Southwest (HMGS-PSW) Sand Wars 2025**
Location: American Legion Post 35, Chandler, Arizona
Dates: June 7–8, 2025
Prepared by: Javier Gardea, HMGS-PSW Arizona Outreach Coordinator/Arizona Convention Manager
**Executive Summary**
Sand Wars 2025 was held over the weekend of June 7–8, 2025, at American Legion Post 35 in Chandler, Arizona. The event brought together historical, fantasy & sci-fi tabletop miniature gamers from across the Southwest region and beyond. With a variety of events, vendor and sponsor participation, and community support efforts, Sand Wars 2025 built on its success over the previous three years and added the meaningful element of veteran outreach and support through hobby engagement.
**Attendance and Registration**
- The convention had over 100 total attendees, equaling or surpassing attendance for each of the previous 3 years.
- Vendors/Sponsors: 17
- Visitors (non-badge holders): 15+ walk-ins
Geographic Reach: Attendees traveled from across Arizona, Texas, and New Mexico
Daily Attendance:
– Saturday: ~75 visitors
– Sunday: ~45 visitors
**Events and Programming**
Approximately 30 scheduled events were held over the two-day convention, including:
- Variety of tabletop wargames (historical, sci-fi and fantasy)
- Shifting Sands Flames of War Tournament
- Paint-n-Take station
- Game demos
- Flea Market
**Vendors and Sponsors**
Vendors: 4 total vendors offering miniatures, books, gaming supplies.
Sponsors: 3 contributing sponsors provided promotional materials, game support, and/or prize donations.
The vendor and sponsor presence added energy and value to the event, and vendors expressed interest in returning for future conventions.
Prize Support graciously provided by:
GMT Games, Silver Key Lounge, Shifting Sands Tournament.
**Sponsors/Vendors:**
Three Old Guys Hobbies and Games, The Tabletop Gaming Society, The Painting Table, Silver Key Lounge, Primetime Cards & Games-Gilbert, Passive Aggressive Games, Copper Town Games, LLC.
Special thanks to American Legion Post 35 for hosting the event!
**Food & Fundraising**
We sold out on Hamburgers & sold lots of breakfast burritos and Meatloaf and Chicken dinners.
Total Raised for Veterans' Families in Need: $400 USD
Proceeds from all meal sales went directly to benefit local veterans' families.
American Legion volunteers and staff provided excellent service and expressed interest in hosting future events.
**Community Impact and Outcomes**
Sand Wars 2025 served as both a gaming convention and a positive community engagement effort. By partnering with American Legion Post 35, the event successfully supported veterans while building a stronger network among wargamers in the Southwest.
**Tentative Save the Date for May 2-3, 2026**
Contract for next year is pending but we are requesting the first weekend in May 2026 for SAND WARS V!
**Conclusion**
Sand Wars 2025 was a big success, both as a tabletop convention and a charitable event. With over 100 combined attendees and visitors across the weekend, a variety of gaming experiences, and $400 USD raised for veterans in need, the event embodied the mission of HMGS-PSW: to educate, engage, and serve through historical miniature wargaming.
Our sincere thanks to all who attended, ran games, sponsored and supported this convention and we look forward to seeing you again next year!
If interested in supporting, volunteering, or running a game(s) at Sand Wars 2026 please reach out to Javier Gardea at: dirtminiatures@gmail.com or call/text 480-389-4645.
Some pics from the weekend of wargaming fun:
