On April 11, 12 and 13, 2003, BattleGroup Boston sponsored it’s 19th annual convention, HAVOC. There were several new aspects this year. The first change was a new location at the Boxboro Holiday Inn. This allowed players and dealers to stay over night at the convention facility.
Another addition was the free admission Friday night game session. BattleGroup Boston was able to open the convention hall on Friday night and had nine scheduled games. There was no cost for admission and over 60 people took advantage to get some early dice rolling in.
The free Sunday Flea Market was also continued for the third year. Opened on Sunday at Noon, tables were provided for anyone who wanted to sell their unused figures and terrain. I picked up some 25mm civilians for 1920’s Gangster games and some plastic soldiers for the kids (ages 3.5 and 5, gotta start ‘em young).
Over 240 people during the three-day event attended HAVOC. There were nine dealers, offering every type of figure, terrain, rules and reference book you might want. There were regulars at our convention, such as, Two Tin Soldiers, GrandMaster and Goblintooth Enterprise. First time HAVOC dealers were On Military Matters and Battle Works with their great line of 25mm and 20mm trench and buildings. If you were looking to spend your cash there was most likely a dealer with what you wanted at HAVOC.
Over 130 games were played at HAVOC covering historical periods from Ancients, Medieval, Renaissance, F&I War, Napoleonics, ACW, Colonial, W.W. I, W.W. II, Korea, Vietnam and Moderns. There were also a Puffing Billy, MageKnight, ClixHeros and MechWarrior tournaments.
The “Dave” Award for best of show was won this year by Martin Baber and Sam Scott for “The Battle For Nijmegen”. This is was the first time that we have had back to back winners of the “Dave”. The team of Baber, Scott and Smith won the award at HAVOC XVIII for “Pointe du Hoc”. The game was played on a 20ft long table with many custom build pieces. The board and 20mm figures looked like an arial photograph. Allied aircraft were present over the battlefield on several wire runners and a simulated para drop took place. Play went very smoothly and was well enjoyed by all. The table is part of a larger game to be put on at the upcoming FALL IN convention with a full 55ft long table.
Other games that were nominated for the “Dave” were: “Bonnyman’s Hill”, Tarawa, W.W. II, Mike Sammarco & Chris Bonni; “Waterloo”, 5 period refight of the battle, Matt Iverson & Al Garnache; “Saturday Matinee”, 1920’s Epic Adventure, Jim Dirmaier; “Geronimo!”, W.W. II, Airborne, Vic Gregoire;“Return To The Valley Of The Gwanji”, Dinasour Hunt, Jennifer Paperman;“5th of Fury at Fox Hill”, Korea, Gregg Belevick
HAVOC XX will be held in April, 2004.
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