I recently heard from @Mike Baker at www.siegeofaugusta.com and he informs me that things are developing well for the Siege of Augusta gaming convention. He is hopeful that HMGS-Midsouth will provide an official presence at the show. I would like to inform the membership of this show’s details and in order to help our friends out I will be creating a new sub-page here called “Regional” where all regional conventions, game days and other news can be maintained.

The Siege of Augusta Gaming Convention
Augusta, GA
January 21st, 2011 thru January 23rd
Doubletree Inn, Augusta GA

More details can be found via this packet: siegeofaugusta

Tags: Siege of Augusta

Mike Baker wrote to tell us about the convention known as “Siege of Augusta.” He writes:

Siege XIX

www.siegeofaugusta.com

Siege of Augusta 2010 is coming.

January 22-24, 2010 in Augusta, Georgia
at the Doubletree Hotel (formerly the Sheraton)
2651 Perimeter Parkway, Augusta, Georgia 30909
Reservations: (706) 855-8100

We are looking for game hosts, sponsors, and volunteers. While we are billed as an historical miniatures gaming convention (being sponsored by the Historical Miniatures Gaming Society-Mid South), events are not limited exclusively to historically-based games. If you want to host a role-playing, fantasy, science fiction, or other event, you are welcome to sign up and attend. The only genre that we do not host is live-action role-playing (LARP) games due to space considerations. We look forward to ALL GAMERS attending this year’s Siege!

HISTORY of the SIEGE OF AUGUSTA
The Siege was the brainchild of Dr. James Birdseye. Jim decided to start the Siege because he was new to the Augusta area and wanted to meet other gamers.

The first convention was held at the Ramada Inn on Washington Road in January 1992. Because the Siege was too large for the Ramada from the get-go, Siege II was held at the Landmark Hotel on Broad Street. Although many of the “grognards” enjoyed the Landmark (could it be due to the “gamier” aspects of downtown Augusta?), that facility was soon outgrown and for the fifth installment (1996), the convention was moved to the Augusta Doubletree) where it continues for Siege XIX (2009).

Although ably assisted by various persons throughout the years, Jim was the driving force behind the planning, organizing, and running of the Siege of Augusta. Everyone, whether player, event host, dealer, or guest, owe him a great debt of gratitude for his vision and hard work to have started The Siege and in keeping it running through all of these years. Jim has now passed the baton to others to continue the convention-we hope that the seed he first planted in 1992 continues to grow. We also hope that he will enjoy attending the Siege as a player as much as he did as it’s Director.

Jim’s dream was realized as the convention proved to be fruitful. During the 90s, the local gamers met on a monthly basis at Augusta State University; at times there would be 30-40 gamers attending. Although the group has dissipated over the past 5-6 years, renewed interest and commitment to reform the group has begun; many of the locals are now meeting regularly at the 2 locations of the Augusta Book Exchange in Augusta GA and Common Grounds Coffee House in Barnwell, SC.

Although the convention is one of the “crown jewels” of HMGS Mid-South (a historical miniature gaming society), it has never been strictly limited to historical miniatures, but rather, the convention has been open to a multitude of gaming genres. We like it this way because regardless of whether you are pushing around an orc or a fusilier, you are a part of the miniature gaming community. +

Tags: Siege of Augusta