Last weekend, Ullsvik Hall was filled with enthusiasts of all kinds. Plattecon XXXIX: Year of The Endless Night ran Feb. 27 – March 1 this year, drawing in vendors, cosplayers, and gamers of all kinds from across the tristate area. Plattecon is the most consistently hosted convention in the area, saving congoers from long trips to Madison or Milwaukee to get their fix. This year brought in over 300 attendees.
Plattecon attendees had access to a huge library of free games to play and a selection of “Play to Win” games that they had the opportunity to take home following a raffle drawing. Through the weekend, the tables in the main convention room were taken by groups trying out new games or playing their old favorites. Smaller event rooms were reserved for specific games with longer time commitments, including Battletech, Civolution and various RPGs.
Other event rooms held competitions. Some were light-hearted and low-stakes, like Pokémon Pictionary and “Um, Actually,” though some contestants took their trivia more seriously than others. Other competitions had higher stakes, like the Friday Night Game Jam and Mario Kart Tournament. The most popular events this year were the Costume & Cosplay Contest with 19 entries and five categories to win and the Miniature Speed painting Competition with nearly 30 entries and 10 prizes. Despite the competitive spirit, the energy was friendly and welcoming, with contestants congratulating each other for their success and helping each other out.
There were plenty of opportunities to buy new swag at the convention. There was a silent auction where attendees could make some money from their pre-loved games and add to their collection on a budget, in addition to the various vendors selling art, trinkets, and games. There were also official Plattecon XXXIX t-shirts and play mats for sale at the front desk.
When asked about volunteer opportunities next year, Fen, the coordinator of this year’s Plattecon, shared that they are always accepting help for the front desk, the free games table, monitoring the video game room and event running. It was clear that the volunteers this year were working overtime, making it even more appreciated when attendees run their own events.
The event was an overall success, with many attendees returning from the previous year and planning to come back for the currently untitled Plattecon XL in 2027.