Here's the schedule:

Fri, 24 Oct 1:55pm - opening ceremony
2pm - 6pm, Session 1
8pm - midnight, Session 2

Sat, 25 Oct 8am - noon, Session 3
2pm - 6pm, Session 4
6pm - ?, Flea Market
8pm midnight, Session 5

Sun 26 Oct 9am - 1pm, Session 6
1:15pm, Awards Ceremony - closing remarks
2pm - HMGS South General Membership Meeting

There will be a number of significant events at this year's Hurricon. Howard Swanson and Jeff Lista will be running the Armati Tournament in 25mm (as well as 15mm)! Bring your own lead for this Ancients competition. The winner of the tournament will be rewarded appropriately.

Which brings us to a special note - a number of games will have prizes awarded. Richard Borg is running an ACW tournament on Friday (and hopefully Saturday) where the winners will receive new flag sheets from Regimental Colours ACW line (to be released at Hurricon) worth $20. A $10 Editions Brokaw/Historical Products Company gift certificate will be awarded to the game MVP of each game run by the Gainesville Garrison! Regimental Colours will donate new Russian flag sheets for additional Zorndorf scenario prizes.

We haven't figured out what we'll be giving for prizes in our painting competition. That's right, this year's Hurricon can feed off last year's success and expand! Expect under 25mm & 25mm/greater categories, armies and individual figures, special equipment (elephants or tanks, etc.), and I don't know what else. Expect more specific guidelines and categories in the next Rebel Yell.

Games, games, and more games! We already have commitments for both 15mm and 20mm WWII, Ironclads, ACW, Napoleonics, Seven Years' War, Medieval, and French Foreign Legion. Expect us to nail down some miroarmour, French-Indian War, possibly some Ancients, Axis & Allies (boardgame), and Warhammer 40K (alternative). Needless to say, Hurricon is shaping up nicely.

We also have dealer commitments for 24 tables and flea market requests for another 10. I don't think there will be any problems for the discriminating shopper to find what he (or she) wants. There's room for about another 12 dealer tables, so get your requests to Rhett soon in order to guarantee that you'll get tables in the main playing area.

Our special guest this year is John Hill, author of Squad Leader, Johnny Reb, and most recently, Johnny Reb III. He'll be running ACW games throughout the convention to introduce players to his rules and make them aware of the intricacies of combat during that era. Thanks in advance to John for coming! Also, let me give a special thanks to the Gainesville Garrison for their commitment to Hurricon

Finally, we're looking for some additional help at Hurricon. Our stellar volunteer from last year has again agreed to run the front desk, but we need an extra set of hands on each day. As the Convention Director, I am authorized to offer appropriate bribes for the individual(s) that volunteer to assist. Of course the front desk volunteers' convention dues will be free as well as possibly a one year HMGS South renewal, as well as possibly a couple of meals. I'm paying to get into the convention because I will be in the game room (mostly). The poor front desk people will get only limited time playing (possibly one session each day). The front desk is the most visible position and is the most important in getting the gamers into the con, collecting monies owed, and acting as the Sergeant at Arms (and head salesperson). If you can assist us in this most demanding billet (this won't take any of your time before the convention - you show up at the con and assume your duties) please call.

Look for a good convention come October 24th - the weather will be just superb (it's Florida, for Pete's sake), the games are here, and the gamers are here. For the family, Busch Gardens is only ten minutes away (and the hotel runs a shuttle) and Adventure Island is eleven minutes. Whether you like high-speed rides, the Wild Africa animal park, or the water park, there's plenty to do and it's all right here! Welcome to Tampa...