Final Reminder!

Hi Everyone:

Just a final courtesy reminder for any last-minute planners out there -- Ludophilia 7 is THIS Thursday through Sunday.  Here are the critical details.  If you have any questions, please ask.

When? - This Thursday, May 18, through Sunday, May 21

What Time? -  Doors will be open 8:00am through 11:00pm Thursday through Saturday.  8:00am through about 2:00pm Sunday.

Where? - Country Inn & Suites, 600 Tracy Trail, Crystal Lake, IL  60014   http://tinyurl.com/ludo7hotel

How Much? - Admission is 10$ per person per day (or $30 for all 4 days).  Come and go as you please.

Games? - I'm bringing 200+ games, and usually many people bring some of their own as well.  If you have a favorite you want to share, bring it!  Check the library list at http://tinyurl.com/ludo7lib

Beer? - Yes.  Brewmaster Bill will be bringing a nice selection of his professional grade homebrew, but it's definitely considered good form to bring something to share if you'll be partaking.

T-Shirts? - If you gave me your order, pick up your shirts at the door for $15.

Food? - Everyone's on their own, as usual.  There are several things within walking distance or a very short drive.  (Culvers is basically right across the parking lot.)  I don't think I'm planning on doing a group pizza order this year.

Fun? - Definitely.  Don't come to compete, come to try new games or play old favorites with friendly folks.

How Big is This Thing? - Don't expect a giant formal convention.  Expect 30-40 friends and friends-of-friends in a super informal setting.  Many people come only for a day or two, but probably at least a dozen will be there the whole time.  I expect to have 6-8 tables set up for playing.  Thursday will be the quiet day with probably only 2-3 tables running.  Friday and Saturday night will probably be busy with all tables full, if it's anything like recent years.

Hope to see you this weekend!

Brad.

Final Brewmaster Lineup!

Our Brewmaster reports...

The beer lineup for Ludophila is set. 

Crash and Burn Coffee Porter

Crash and Burn Vanilla Bourbon Porter

C4 IPA (made with 4 hops that all start with C)

C4 Black IPA

Ludophila Wee Heavy

I also have some regular Crash and Burn and a Saison that I will bring if I can figure out how to keep all the kegs cold without 4 tons of ice.

Are you excited NOW?!  I sure am!

Hope to see you all there.

T-Shirts Ordered!

The t-shirts order was submitted this week, and I already approved the "proofs".  They're guaranteed to arrive by May 9th, plenty of time before we get together.

I think the only thing left to do at this point is to pack all the games, which  I won't be doing until the weekend before...

Only 3 weeks to go....

Hi Everyone:

The countdown begins!  I can't believe it's only a month until Ludophilia 7!  (I also can't believe we've been doing this 7 years now...)

T-SHIRTS

Right up front, here's the t-shirt design for this year (front and back)  -- looks great again, thanks to resident artist Alex Johnson.

  

Please respond by this coming Saturday, April 22!  If you want one or more shirts, please email me with sizes and quantities.

The price will vary depending on total number ordered -- If we order 10, it'll be $21, 15 would be $17, and 20 would be $15.  Help support a lower cost by putting your order in now!

OTHER INFORMATION

I really hope you all are planning to drop by for some boardgaming and socializing at least one day during the weekend of May 18-21.  We'll be playing 8:00am until 11:00pm Thursday, Friday, and Saturday; 8:00am until 1:00pm (at the latest) on Sunday.  But feel free to come and go as you please.

Don't forget we're back at the Country Inn & Suites in Crystal Lake this year -- www.tinyurl.ludo7hotel

Also, check out the blog at www.ludophilia7.blogspot.com and the game library listing at www.tinyurl.ludo7lib

Admission to cover our room costs is just $10 per person per day for free access to the games and camaraderie.  You can pay at the door (just find me when you arrive) or mail a check to me at Brad Johnson, 1517 Driftwood Ln, Crystal Lake, IL, 60014.  If you pay $30 for 3 days, Sunday is free!

By now, anyone who has attended knows that the group loves its craft beer.  Our official brewmaster, Bill Dyer, is exceedingly generous with his professional-grade homebrew, but I strongly recommend that anyone who wishes to partake please be sure to bring a contribution to share as well!  It's definitely more fun to have a nice variety of quality beverages to choose from.

See you in a month -- Watch for one or two more reminders as the time draws near...

Thanks,

Brad.

Game Library!

Here is the link to the Ludophilia Game Library. Check it out to see what is available - make your preferences known!

Ludophilia Game Library

Inducement...as if we need to provide even more.

Here is a little something that might encourage you to make it by to Ludophilia this year:

Our Brewmaster reports - "There will be coffee porter at Ludophilia. Plus some bonus Vanilla Porter."
Note: this is in addition to the already planned Wee Heavy that will be the official brew of Ludophilia VII.

Got your attention, didn't we?

Preliminary Designs

A terrific preliminary design, for this year's Ludophilia.

Put the game title you wish to see listed on the games in the comments (other than Dune and Amoeba Wars)...

The Official Announcement!

From our Founder, Brad Johnson:

I'm happy to announce the 7th annual Ludophilia Boardgames and Craft Beer Fest!   Read on for some important details....

WHAT IS LUDOPHILIA?
For any of you who have missed it until now, Ludophilia is the name we've given to our annual 4-day boardgaming (and craft beer sharing) extravaganza in the far northwest suburbs of Chicago!   It's much too friendly and informal to be called a "convention".  It's just an excuse for friends and friends-of-friends to get together in a large-ish hotel conference room with a few hundred board games and have the chance to strategize, socialize, and relax uninterrupted.  Everyone brings favorite games (and beverages) to share, and then it's open house at the hotel Thursday through Sunday!  Set up your own lodging plans if you want to stay overnight, and everyone is mostly responsible for their own food and drink.

SAVE THE DATE
The weekend for Ludophilia VII will be Thursday, May 18th through Sunday, May 21st, 2017.  Please mark your calendars NOW!  I'll be sending out a few reminders and additional information as the time draws nearer.  

We typically play from 8:00am until midnight-ish Thursday through Saturday, but we'll most likely be packing up around lunch time on Sunday.

BACK TO OUR FAVORITE LOCATION

We're moving back to Crystal Lake, at the Country Inn and Suites, 600 Tracy Trail, Crystal Lake, IL  60014.  Phone: 815-477-3500.  We're in their largest conference room, the Lincoln Room, slightly bigger than last year's room.  Also, more tables and chairs, so we won't be fighting for table space like we were last year.

If you will be staying at the hotel as I will, you can call 815-477-3500 or 800-830-5222 for reservations, or look online at https://www.countryinns.com/crystal-lake-hotel-il-60014/ilcryst.  Be sure to ask for the room block for "Ludophliia" for a special rate of $98+tax.

ADMISSION COST
Once again, I'll be keeping the admission cost for everyone the same as it's been: $10 per person per day. This is strictly to cover our costs. If we collect the same amount as we have the last 2 years, we should be able to cover the cost of the room within our buffer.

You can start registering now by sending check or cash to me at :
Brad Johnson
1517 Driftwood Lane
Crystal Lake, IL 60014

So send just $30 now for full access to the entire 4-day weekend!  I can also accept cash and check during the con, but booking early is the best way to make sure we keep this thing running.

STAY TUNED

More details will follow!  Please keep watching your email and our blog (to be up soon) at http://ludophilia7.blogspot.com/.

I sincerely hope that you all can make it to Ludophilia VII, May 18-21, 2017.  Whether you can come for one day or the whole weekend, I think you'll find it to be a good time.  It's been really excellent for the last 6 years with so many fun people coming from all over the country (and Canada!) for some focused boardgaming!  If you have any questions or you'd just like to let me know your plans, please don't hesitate to email!  Also, if you have a friend whom you'd like me to add to the invitation and notification email list, please send me their contact information!


See you in May!

Brad.

We have dates and a location!

Alright Ludophiliacs, we have dates and a location for Ludophilia VII "An outbreak of fun"

May 18-21, 2017

We return to the Crystal Lake area - at the Country Inn & Suites, 600 Tracy Trail, Crystal Lake, IL 60014. Those of us that have been there remember the hotel as well run, and the charming staff giving us our favorite quote ...."Its wonderful that you are helping out those people with this disease!"


Standby for further details on group rate at the hotel, and the game library!

Date and Place TBD

Ludophilia VII - TBD