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GARY CON!!!
Gary Con XVIII is scheduled for March 19–22, 2026, in Lake Geneva. Join everyone attending around 9:00 am in the Main Lobby of the Grand Geneva Resort, where Luke Gygax will talk about what Gary Con means to him. We’re planning on having a Special Guest or two join us for the official opening of Gary Con XVIII, so don’t miss it! After the opening ceremony, head down to the Forum Foyer for the first card pulling from the Deck of Gary Things around 9:45 am, followed by the official opening of the Exhibitor Hall around 10:00 a.m.
This annual tabletop gaming convention celebrates the life and works of Gary Gygax, the co-creator of Dungeons & Dragons. Gary Con is an iconic gaming convention that is centered around tabletop role-playing games and how they bring people together. You may end up playing at tables with iconic game designers and publishers, allowing you to cause chaos in their setting; you might run into Melf (Luke Gygax) in the lobby bar, or snap a picture with some of the celebrity guests who attend Gary Con. You’ll never know what adventure lies ahead until you make the journey.
Since its inception, Gary Con has been a memorial convention in honor of E. Gary Gygax and his contributions to the tabletop role-playing hobby. Over the years, they have recognized and remembered all those who have given so much to the community we enjoy. The Gary Con Memorial Service is on Sunday at 9:00 am and will be a time to remember game designers, family, and friends who no longer sit at our tables. Many years ago, when Gary Con fell on Palm Sunday, several attendees asked Rev. Derek W. White if he would come hold a service at Gary Con; thus, the worship service at Gary Con began. He has continued holding a memorial service and celebrating the Eucharist/Communion annually for any interested attendees.
The Wall of Remembrance is set up near Gary’s table and is available for our attendees to transcribe the names of lost adventuring companions. This is a place to help us reminisce about the joys those who have been lost have brought to our lives and reflect on the lasting impact of their influence on us. The Tower of Gygax is a unique series of events, each offering the chance to sit in on a two-hour adventure session run by an industry notable and/or community guest DM. They will keep things rolling with challenging encounters, using the 1st edition AD&D ruleset. There will also be a large group of exhibitors selling everything game-related possible. It’s a place of community where lifelong friendships are forged, new players are welcomed, and the spirit of gaming thrives.
If you’re passionate about tabletop games, Gary Con is your chance to connect with a community that shares your enthusiasm and to experience the joy of gaming in its purest form. There was no way to tell, back when Gary Gygax invented and sold the game privately, that it would become such a worldwide phenomenon. When Hasbro, the giant toy and game company of the time, approached Gary and Gail, his great wife, with an offer, they decided to sell the rights. They were to remain forever on the outside of the vast fortune the game has internationally gathered in over the years, especially now, as the electronic digital versions, as well as musical albums that can enhance the gaming experience.
Lake Geneva also receives a solid return as it is known worldwide as the home of the game and the place where it was invented. The many tunnels under the downtown area (built by speakeasies back during prohibition) also enhance the attraction and value, although the business owners there seldom let anybody down into those.
