Cooper's Lake Event Venue and Campground
205 Currie Rd, Slippery Rock, PA 16057
1-12 Aug 2023
The following dialogue is from my journal posts on the Book of Faces during my trip to Pennsic in Augusts for the 50 year event there. These posts were made daily from my tent at Cooper's Lake. Ive added them here in a consolidated format for the historical record of my travels. All photos are from my library, taken by me.
Pennsic L - day 1 - My liege and I made our way north from our Cumbrian home of Easaraigh to the lands of Aethelmearc for the annual Pennsic War today. The trip was pleasant. The good Earl was determined to not have any close calls on fuel for the horses, so stops were frequent. The weather this year is mild and almost cool with low humidity so far. A boon to say the least. We did encounter some gremlins in Columbus when cool air stopped blowing from the trucks AC for a bit. Benen thinks the town hates him and blames it for any number of maladies. A tried and true ‘Turn it off and on again’ was the solution and cool air was flowing without much fuss. This is the fiftieth Pennsic War this year. Looks to be a big turnout. Well over 7,000 through the gate already. There is a big 50, painted on the hill above the fort. Not the Roman numeral ‘L’. An ‘L’ would have better. The 50 reminds me of one of those ‘over the hill’ birthday parties with black balloons and such. Anyway. There’s a rant there about causation and the failure of public education to properly train classics like ‘Roman Numerals’ that worked fine for hundreds of years before anyone even thought about the numbers five and zero being used as an alternative. But, I digress. We were able to get tents up and partially unpacked before stopping for the eve. We are in the usual spot. Next to the roar Sauron’s anus and the Ice Cream shop. Both of us being tired but sated after dinner, we closed the day we casual banter behind the tents in the cool night air. We’ll finish setup tomorrow. Rest will come easy tonight.
Pennsic L - Day 2 - This morning started with an entertaining episode of Mutual of Omaha’s Wild Kingdom out here behind the booth as our guest host, Earl Benen, demonstrated his ability to coax and corrupt innocent robins to hanging out with him for breakfast. Mama robin had to work up extra courage to feed young robin, who we will call ‘L’. I spent the rest of the day watching my steps as young ‘L’ kept popping out giving me the ‘What’s Up?’ look. ‘L’ eventually found his way to safety away from underfoot so we could get to our business at hand. Was a long work day putting fixtures together and unpacking for open tomorrow. Booth looks presentable now and has been upgraded with ‘high beams’ lighting now. It will be ‘sunglasses at night’ cool this year without a doubt. Tomorrow is opening day. First pitch at 10am and the fun begins. The day closed out with a small group of friends behind the tent telling tales of sharks, Salties, Alligator ‘not’ hunting, bear like dogs, Jurassic chickens, and giant Australian cats giving dogs the ‘Rodeo’ treatment. Good times.
Pennsic L - Day 3 - Today was a busy day in the booth at the corner of Woad and Broad. We opened today to a line of folks waiting on us and from that point there was a steady flow all day. Benen and I figured we had two or three moments where Benny Hill music played while we spun plates for the amusement of the throng. We were successful in the endeavor though and stuff was sold and people were happy. It warranted a juice box and cookie for the good boys running the booth that afternoon. While it may not be common knowledge this is a union shop and while loitering may be frowned upon in some places, it’s a sure way to get put to work in this shop. Saw some interesting signs today that brings home the idea that for every sign there is a reason (‘Do not put order sticks in any part of your body’ raises questions and laughter equally). Nice quiet evening tonight chatting behind the tent. Oh, and for those of you who don’t know, cinnamon roasted cashews and pecans are pretty fricken awesome.
Pennsic L - Day 4 - today was a fairly simple day of just working. We had a brief rain shower that to the bite out of a warm ish day. I folded and help push our meager wares to any who were caught in the web of beautiful art and Latin wit shown in the booth. I met many interesting folks and even came across a former member of the shire formerly known as Ezaret. I was given two ‘strikes’ today from a good knight visiting Benen today. I’m not sure what the strikes were so not sure what a third offense might be. Should be and entertaining surprise if it ever happens. We sat for dinner and chatted up new SCAdian gentleman from Trimaris at his first Pennsic. Young enthusiasm is always cool. Had an idea today for a game using the Renarts Latin phase shirts and people that would be like a version of Cards Against Humanity. Seems like a fun idea. Good evening folks.
Pennsic L - Day 5 - Today and served a shift as retainer for TRM this morning. Not much going on, but was able to help setup a pavilion on the melee field. Was a sunny and warm day. Back home, my local group, Shire of Easaraigh, held an event with ‘me’ as a contributing theme. Looks like everyone had fun. Played more bingo today with a KISS rapier fighter and several elves being spotted. Booth was fairly busy again. Closed the day with more behind the tent philosophy and star gazing. Been a long and good day.
Pennsic L - Day 6 - Stuck to the booth today. Some folks are curious about what I’m doing. I’m helping Earl Benen operate the Renaissance Arts & Design booth here at Pennsic. He and Countess Rosabelle create some of the best and most awesome art for shirts in the free world. I go along to help make the booth run and provide some peace of mind for them. It’s a cool deal. I get to go to Pennsic, hang out with my peer, and meet all the cool folks that come through the booth. It’s a lot of hard work but made easy by good company. Had a short bit of rain this afternoon that made things muggy this evening. Sticky. Ew. Closing the day out behind the tent. Staring at stars. Good night folks. And remember… Whippet. Whippet. Good.
Pennsic L - Day 7 - Didn’t fight today. Should have. Totally failing to understand the weather here. What I thought was going to be a completely wet and soggy start to the day, wasn’t. By the time I realized that I was wrong, it was too late. Did manage to get some shopping done today. Merchant area was really busy. Over 11,000 on site now. Things are hopping. Lots of traffic in the booth today. Had dinner with House Stahlgeist tonight. Nice group of people and food was good. Sir Tristan sold a souvenir Pennsic 50 rock today as part of a brilliant marketing strategy. We now have a pile of rocks ready for production. Rain settled in later in the day. Site is damp, but the night air has that post rain coolness about it. Nice and comfortable. Lots of happy people can be heard throughout the camp.
Pennsic L - Day 8 - worked the booth and did some shopping today. Got some nice linen for something later. We figured out that once the event population went over 11k, the shortest line at the ice cream shop was between 6:15 and 6:45. I was able to deduce today that the anomaly of the shirtless utilikilt barbarian that doesn’t find a T-shirt in the booth they like probably needs to attend a Shirtless Anonymous meeting and get into a 10 step program. We have been thinking about a telethon or a maybe a community outreach program for the shirtless. New bingo today, after judges review, was a pirate in double thick crocs (akin to the shoes from Bill and Teds future). Weather was awesome today. Tomorrow, the madness comes. Cave Canem, Ya’ll.
Pennsic L - Day 9 - long day today culminating in the Midnight Madness event where all the merchants stay open late and everyone at Pennsic comes out to ‘crawl’ the merchant booths. Extra staff comes aboard to help and away we go. At the end of the night, many of our shelves are empty and we tired, happy few retire to our cots worn and weary. As a participant, it can be magical with music and laughter everywhere in the lit up thoroughfares of the merchant quarter. As a merchant, it is a rapid fire assault on you and your team trying to answer, respond, and fulfill every customers need. Overall it is fun, just taxing. Going to sleep hard tonight.
Pennsic L - Day 10 - Today I finally got on the field to fight. It was the field battle today. After dressing out, I got to follow behind the ladies in white to the field. It’s a long tradition that I don’t know much about. So, I won’t try to explain it. There is singing and horn blowing. It’s all very cool and a fun experience. I fought in five engagements. My takeaway is that one field melee is pretty much like the rest. There were a considerable amount of fighters participating (2000 rough estimate). That was the only real difference. Went to Meridies court. Came away with a couple of small bits of flair related to military service (1 for fighting with the kingdom and 1 for being an Army veteran mundanely). The day was finished with a philosophical chat behind the tent with a nice visiting knight, Benen and I. It was a good day. Tomorrow brings packing day and preparation for the trip home. There’s a gentle rain in the tent tonight. Should be some good sleep here shortly.
Pennsic L - Day 11 - departing is such sweet sorrow. Some last views of site on my way out. The mark of my temporary residence, soon to be erased as the sun shines on it again. My last vision of the site as we head down the road. Today was a steady day followed by the rapid load out queued by all the extra hands that came to help. We sold millions of t-shirts. Well, not millions but many, many wonderfully colorful and comfy shirts of exceptional quality. We sold handmade leather pouches and bags of incomparable quality and price. And, when all else failed, we sold genuine Pennsic 50 rocks. Everything we could sell was sold. The trailer was much lighter on the way out. Tonight we rest in a hotel to recoup a bit before completing the journey to our Cumbrian home. This year I heard many wise words. I saw many, many strange and bingo-worthy people. I had fun. Can't ask for much more than that.
Pennsic L - The Epilogue - The fiftieth year of the Pennsic War was a big and festive event. My small part in the venture was marked in my memory as a period of comfort and comradery. In my role as sidekick and travelling companion to the incomparable Earl Benen - merchant, peer, oracle of knowledge - I got to hang out and just be relaxed. Pennsic 'L' was not without controversy. We had the site token outrage and the 'L' vs '50' stupefaction. But this was just smoke and bad theatre. I have many fun memories. I witnessed a peer cosplay Snow White (sans dwarves, apples or crones). We put forth a cookie and juice box worthy effort from Day 1. There was a nod of satisfaction. I dined with the great Stahlgiest house. I found that the differences between blue and purple is shady. I experienced practical queueing theory via the ice cream stand as population increased as the event drove on. 11,384 SCA and associated fans of Pennsic came to the Slippery Rock encampment to celebrate. I saw true entrepreneurial skill when a lowly rock was elevated to premier Pennsic swag with the application of Sharpie ink and googly eyes. I fought my first melee in the field battle. I saw the dangers and excitement of ~2000 rattan wielding fighters in mass engagement. We filled our bingo cards daily with the strange and unexpected personages that crossed our path. We saw many worthy people and shared philosophical discussion late into the evenings. While many may see Pennsic as a big party, I see it as a quaint social gathering from my view on the corner of Broadway and Woad Way. Yes, it was big. But, like a small town, it can be quaint when you want it to be. What is it's worth? I think I am still figuring that out. For now, Pennsic is a vacation where I work, relax, and share company with very good people. That is plenty for me.
Well met friends. Safe journey to thee!
Baron Eoin Mac Cana called 'Clyde'
Squire to Earl Benen MacTire
Warden of the Northern Plateau
Shire of Easaraigh
Kingdom of Meridies
