Total attendance ( including Dealers ) was 116!

Getting off to a slow start, the Convention began Thursday Evening with 20 folks enjoying the Palo Alto preliminary and Sink The Bismarck several times. In fact, Darrin Loomis' guys really made the show as they were always johnnys on the spot with an activity for idle conventioneers even to the point of running TWO GAMES AT ONCE on the same table.

All of the Dealers got to show their wares. Myself carrying several lines came to the conclusion that I was going to be finished with the display just about the time that the Convention closed up on Saturday! I did get all situated later that evening allowing me to enjoy the rest of th Convention.

Friday saw the Mexican Campaign begin in earnest as the Mexicans surprisingly trounced the upstart Gringos eliminating the action at Resaca de la Palma and later Taking Fort Texas. Boardgamers including Steve Huskey and John Koontz grabbed a table and proceeded to examine several games including We The People and Vive Le Emporeur(?), a more playable version of Napoleonic Europe a la Empire In Arms.

Unfortunately, games on went wanting for players as both Thursday night and Friday had fewer people than games to occupy them. Still I would like to have that happen than to have eveyone not have something to do. Actually while some games didn't happen others were played time and again Sink The Bismarck and George Knapp's ALAMO in particularly.

Easy Eight and Tabletop arrived about 6PM with more things for us to oogle over and Battleground to play. Play throughout the evening was brisk and spirited on several tables at the same time.

Saturday saw the numbers increase to the point that the games that had been scheduled were full and many stepped up to fill the void needed particularly those for the younger set. The Silent Auction was great! alot of things to bid on. Lots of 20mm WWII. Some items went cheap while others saw major competition for ownership. The key seems to be to price it lower than Tiffanys and you'll be rewarded.

Ken Van Pelt, Jon Haworth and Lion's Den started early Saturday morning putting together a great entertainment for everyone. As the day wound down major purchases were made, Food began to run out and Events came to their eventual conclusions.

Be Careful What You Ask For, was the Best of Show

But, with both DBA Tourney's, Battleground and Lion's Den's contributions, ALAMO and all of what WAR, WAR and MORE WAR presented throughout the weekend it is almost sinful to single out anyone above the others as the Convention had a Family atmosphere to it with everyone being so important to it's success.

As I alluded to, The Food sold out, the last two partial 12 packs of pop were given away ( We're a Non Profit Organization ). Easy Eight finished their last WWII Skirmish, Formula D entertained the remaining youngsters ( including my two ) and Dealers began to pack up. A small group of hanger ons adjourned to a side room and began making plans for 2000.

My personal thanks to Jacob Kovel, Phil Kilgore, Harold Morgan, Brad Sanders and EASY EIGHT, George Knapp. Dealers who braved the cold and rain and climate to help out. If my results were any indication purchases was well beyond what would be expected by the attendance.

Darrin Loomis, Ken Van Pelt, Jon Haworth, John Davis, Toby Giese, David Yates, Marshall Pelot,Steve Huskey and John Koontz Mark Kyriss and Merle. Without the MASSIVE HELP and ENCOURAGEMENT provided by everyone Spring Maneuvers 1999 would not have happened. Many, many others assisted in material ways by speading the word and providing the means for acceptance in the Wargaming Community. MOCOW, Major Bill Harting, Pat Condray and Dick Bryant . Russ Lockwood Provided Rulers for the crowd and a link to view his MAGWEB, over 60 magazines at your fingertips.

Tom Dye, NEW owner of MINIFIGS, sent me some Napoleonics and samples of his 12mm WWII line also sending Discount Certificates to be used as awards and redeemable at ANY dealer at Spring Maneuvers 1999.

Musket Miniatures were EXTREMELY kind to a fledgling Dealer by giving credit.

Thanks to all who experienced Spring Maneuvers 1999 Especially Steve Burton, and Todd Carter, it really means alot.

See Everyone At SPRING MANEUVERS 2000 February 24, 25 & 26, 2000 Ft. Leavenworth, Kansas.

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