ShireCon 5 - September 15-16, 2023

Important Information:

  • Con Hours: Friday 5pm to 10pm, Saturday 7:30am-10pm
  • Vendor Arrival: anytime after 5pm Friday
  • Friday 1 session: 5:30pm-9:30pm, Saturday 3 Sessions: 9:00am-12:00pm, 1:00pm-5:00pm, 5:30pm-8:30pm
  • Badges: $30 prereg, $35 at the door

***** Key News! *****

We are in a New Location This Year!

We have double the space! This will be our first year at the fully restored Colonial Theater!

Unscripted & Unchained has previewed the 2023 convention - give his YouTube video a watch!

What is ShireCon?

ShireCon is a one-and-a-half-day gaming event in the Berkshire Mountains. Set in the small town of North Canaan, Connecticut, this board and roleplaying convention gathers tri-state area gamers together for a short weekend event in the beautiful autumn weather of New England! The convention's small location is a great getaway for those coming from the hustle and bustle of larger communities.

What is Happening at ShireCon?

The Friday/Saturday convention features roleplaying games and board games primarily, although other games are allowed as pickup games at open tables. We're not trying to be a multi-media convention that features video games, cosplay and LARP events. These are simply not what this event is about (nor do we have the room for such things). If you're looking for both old school and new RPG gaming, or complex multiplayer board games, this convention is for you!

Who is Attending ShireCon?

You, we hope! But a few notable industry guests plan to visit the convention:

Erik Tenkar

Erik 'Tenkar' Steine is a podcaster, blogger and Kickstarter watchdog that lives in the NYC area. His daily podcasts and blogs on old school gaming and opinions on Kickstarter projects are heard and read by thousands of devoted fans. Erik and his wife Rachel will be in attendance at the con, likely running a game of Swords & Wizardry Light in the morning slot and spending time talking with attendees in the afternoon.

Tim Callahan

Tim Callahan has written numerous published adventures for Dungeon Crawl Classics, Mutant Crawl Classics, and Hyperborea, including "Advent of the Avalanche Lords," "A Fallen Star for All," "The Beasts of Kraggoth Manor," and, most recently, "Cheating Death" for Goodman Games Lankhmar line. He has also co-written "Peril on the Purple Planet" and contributed to the forthcoming DCC Annual.

Joe Bloch

TBA

Jeff Talanian

TBA

Levi Combs

TBA

Chet Minton

TBA

Ian McGarty

TBA

Events at ShireCon

Detailed Events and Badge Registration are found at: Table Top Events

The doors open at 5:00pm (Friday) and 8:00am (Saturday) for early registration, scheduled games run during four time slots: Friday 5:30pm to 9:30pm, Saturday 9am to 12pm, 1pm to 5pm and 5:30pm to 8:30pm. The raffle will take place at 12:30pm. The doors close the night of the con between 9 and 10:30pm. Vendors will be able to arrive by 5:00pm Friday or 7:30am Saturday to set up their table.

Events

Timeslot * Event Name Game System Location
Friday 5:30pm Super Groovy Secret Planet X Playtest! AD&D 1E Ballroom
Friday 6:45pm Against the Darkmaster - demo Against the Darkmaster Ballroom
Friday 5:30pm Ascension of the Bear Hyperborea Ballroom
Friday 5:30pm Horror from the Mound Weird Frontiers DCC Ballroom
Friday 5:30pm Neon Lords of the Toxic Wasteland Neon Lords of the Toxic Wasteland Ballroom
Friday 5:30pm Root of Evil Hyperborea Ballroom
Friday 5:30pm The Warlock's Laboratory OSR (new system) Ballroom
Friday 5:30pm Carnal Creatures of the Ythaqqan Plateau Hyperborea Balcony
Friday 7:45pm The Lost Dominion Alternity Theater
Friday 5:30pm Troy City Mysteries Razer RPG Theater
Friday 5:30pm Into City-State Majestic Fantasy RPG Theater
Friday 6:30pm MTG Draft MTG CCG Theater
Saturday 9:00am BURN 2d6 Myth & Magic BURN 2d6 Ballroom
Saturday 9:00am Operation Manticore Alternity Ballroom
Saturday 9:00am Shadowdark: The Kid's Table Shadowdark RPG Ballroom
Saturday 9:00am The Mausoleum Maze of Mondulac The Mad S&W Light Ballroom
Saturday 9:00am Troubleshooters Please Report to [REDACTED RRRREDACTED]. Paranoia Ballroom
Saturday 9:00am Bramst-O-KER’s Paranoia Lasers & Treason Ballroom
Saturday 9:00am Portal Jumpers OD&D Ballroom
Saturday 9:00am Muppets D and D episode 1 D&D 5E Ballroom
Saturday 9:00am Adventurers of Vagari Terram Desolantia RPG Ballroom
Saturday 9:00am Escape from Zanzer Tem's Dungeon Basic D&D Balcony
Saturday 9:00am Super Groovy Secret Planet X Playtest! AD&D 1E Theater
Saturday 9:00am The Horror from the Hillock Hyperborea Theater
Saturday 9:00am Castle of the Mad Archmage AD&D 1E Theater
Saturday 1:00pm Seekers of Skybreak DCC Ballroom
Saturday 1:00pm The Lost City OSE Ballroom
Saturday 1:00pm Against the Darkmaster - demo Against the Darkmaster Ballroom
Saturday 1:00pm Umbra Fae and Fate RPG Adventure Umbra Fae and Fate RPG Ballroom
Saturday 1:00pm The Winding Tower Swords of the Serpentine Ballroom
Saturday 2:00pm Golden Age of Khares Golden Age of Khares Ballroom
Saturday 1:00pm Muppets D and D episode 2 D&D 5E Ballroom
Saturday 1:00pm Adventurers of Vagari Terram: The Red Carnival Desolantia RPG Ballroom
Saturday 1:00pm The Haunted Halls of Evening Star AD&D 2E Balcony
Saturday 1:00pm Weird Heroes of Public Access Theater
Saturday 1:00pm Scourge of the Demon Wolf Majestic Fantasy RPG Theater
Saturday 1:00pm The Spattered Patina of the Barbarous Blades DCC Theater
Saturday 1:00pm Ogre-GEV Brawl OGRE Theater
Saturday 5:30pm The Fourth Succession War Battletech Ballroom
Saturday 4:00pm Against the Darkmaster - demo Against the Darkmaster Ballroom
Saturday 5:30pm Ascension of the Bear Hyperborea Ballroom
Saturday 5:30pm Tavern Brawl Tournament Tavern Brawl Ballroom
Saturday 5:30pm Dark Sun "Unchained" AD&D 2E Balcony
* check TTE to confirm start times and length.
Final events at TTE

ShireCon Vendors

We have more vendors attending this con this year than last!

BRW Games

Adventures Dark and Deep and Castle of Mad Archmage series

The Game Reserve

A game and card shop in Middleborough, Mass

Surprise Vendor

TBA

ShireCon Location

The convention is located at the Colonial Theater, 27 Railroad St. in North Canaan, CT 06018

The venue is easily accessible from New York State and Massachusetts via several connecting roads and highways.

Coming from Boston?

Massachusetts Turnpike, Westbound, Exit 2 in Lee

Get on Route 7 Southbound in Stockbridge - this eventually takes you right into North Canaan

Coming from NYC?

Use Route 22 North into Amenia, NY

Take Route 343 into Connecticut (Sharon)

Take Route 41 North into Lakeville

Pick up Route 7 in Falls Village

Continue on Route 7 until you reach North Canaan

Coming from NYC by Metro North?

Get off the Last Stop on the Harlem Valley Line at Wassaic (Amenia, NY)

Arrange for your own transportation from train station to venue!

Coming from eastern Connecticut?

Use Route 4 West to Torrington, CT

Stay on Route 4 West to Goshen, CT

Take a right onto Route 63 North at the traffic circle

Take a left onto Route 126 into Falls Village

Pick up Route 7 in Falls Village

Continue on Route 7 until you reach North Canaan

Coming from the west?

Route 44 is a good route into Connecticut from the west

Venue Details

The venue has ample parking for 75 vehicles in a public parking lot behind the building (signage will indicate where parking can be found). The facility has for four bathrooms, two each for men and women and each stalled for two to three occupants at a time. Several restaurants (and a brewery) are within walking distance of the event.

The theater has two spaces: upstairs, a ballroom for room for vendors and 10+ tables. Downstairs, a theater wkith room for 6+ tables and more vendors.

Places to Eat Nearby

Several restaurants are within walking distance. See the list below for more details.

Industry Kitchen

Across from the venue; (860) 453-4317

[walking distance] Lunch and dinner - visit Industry Kitchen

Romas Pizza

Olde School Deli

[walking distance] Lunch and Dinner

Great Falls Brewery

[walking distance] No food, but great beer!

McDonalds

18 E Main St, North Canaan, CT 06018; (860) 824-5281

[no delivery, 1 minute drive] Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Dunkin Donuts

3 E Main St, North Canaan, CT 06018; (860) 824-7576

[no delivery, 1 minute drive] Breakfast and Coffee

Where Can I Stay if I want to Stay Overnight?

There are several hotels and Bed & Breakfasts within 10-15 minutes of the venue. The list below represents only a few choices - others may be found with an online search.

Interlaken Inn

74 Interlaken Road, Lakeville, CT 06039; (800) 222-2909

10 Minute Drive to the Venue, - visit Interlaken Inn

Inn at Iron Masters

229 Main St, Lakeville, CT 06039; (860) 435-9844

15 Minute Drive to the Venue, - visit Inn at Iron Masters

Locust Tree Bed & Breakfast

131 E. Canaan Road (Route 44), North Canaan, CT 06039; (860) 824-8035

10 Minute Drive to the Venue, - visit Locust Tree Bed & Breakfast