| PREPARE FOR WAR! A Guide to Pennsic for the Complete Beginner |
Very Helpful Things to Know
Courtesy &
Etiquette
- Encampments
- Noise
- Modern Items
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Fantasy
Items
- Pets
- Cleanliness
Safety
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Theft
- Violence
- Sexual Situations
Flames and Campfires
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Flame-Powered Light Sources
- Campfires
Health & Hygiene
- The
Heat: Sunburn
- The Heat: Dehydration
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The Heat:
Overheating
- Dealing with the Cold
- The Plague
Merchant Madness: Tips On How To Shop Wisely
Pennsic 25 site token
(1996)
(click to see enlarged view)
There is a way to reach someone (or to be reached) at Pennsic if absolutely necessary. In the event of emergencies or highly urgent matters, you or your family may call the Cooper’s Lake Campground phone number: (724) 368-8710. From there you will be passed along to the SCA’s on-site Information Point.
You will be able to leave a brief message with a phone number. However, unless you can provide Information Point with the name of the group your party is camping with, there will be no way to hand-carry the message to your party.
Feel free to give this information to your close friends and family members. It will probably be a great comfort to them to know that you can be contacted. But remember to caution them against using this method except in cases of extreme emergency.
There are many, many unwritten Codes of Conduct in the SCA, and there’s a whole imaginary page or two reserved for camping events. Since Pennsic is a greatly enlarged camping event, campground courtesy and etiquette should be in effect that much more strongly. The following notes on campground etiquette should be applied to all camping events as much as possible, regardless of what you see other people doing around you. The best course is to set a good example.
An excellent question to ask yourself when camping—whatever the decision you’re trying to reach—is: “What if everyone did it?” I call this the Ethical Question.
Campground courtesy demands that you respect an encampment’s “walls”—however minimal they might be—by entering a camp only through its designated entrance. It’s also polite to “knock”: stop just short of the entrance and say “Hello, the camp!” loudly enough to be heard. Someone should answer. Tell him or her who you’re looking for, ask if that person’s around and whether you may enter to speak with him or her. Don’t be discouraged if the person who answers isn’t familiar with the person you’re looking for—most people will try to help you as much as they can. If no one answers your call at the entrance or if the person who answers your call isn’t comfortable with letting you in at that moment, try leaving a message or come back later to try again. Don’t just wander in anyway.
Wandering into someone’s camp when they’re not around or without their permission is a bit rude—it’s like walking into someone’s house when they don’t answer your knock at their door.
Some groups really don’t care who wanders through their camp, but others are very strict about it. Rules in a stricter camp may become relaxed enough for you to wander in at will if you are or become familiar with everyone in an encampment, or if you’re in and out often enough that most of the group is familiar with you. Whatever the situation, just be polite. If you must know, ask the camp what they’d prefer, but the general rule of thumb is to follow the encampment etiquette of “knocking” and getting permission before entering.
Radios and “boom boxes” tend to occur at camping events, especially Pennsic. Even the most stringent period-police-type is apt to bring a radio along if only to keep track of the weather. It’s common to hear period music coming from an encampment, often at high volume, created either by live musicians or by a “bard-in-the-box.”
Be courteous with the noise you create, be it by radio, live music, or your voice. Remember that tent walls are really thin and that sound travels very far and very clearly in a tent city. Most people will not appreciate hearing heavy metal or an argument blasting away a few tents down. Many people will, however, enjoy listening to period jigs, ballads, pavannes, etc.—but not necessarily at all hours of the day and night. Keep your noise volume to where just you and your immediate associates can hear it instead of including every tent in a two-block radius.
Like other camping events, Pennsic has a “noise curfew.” Quiet hours are from 1:00 to 7:00am. On top of that, your group may have designated quiet camping areas or internal noise curfews. Be aware of the noise rules around you and be prepared to abide by them.
As always, you should make every attempt to keep visibility of modern objects to a minimum. If you can’t keep them in your tent, disguise them.
- Cover your cooler and/or lawn chair with a blanket, and presto! you have an instant period-looking seat.
- Keep your cooking stuff out of plain sight of the road or public walkways.
- Leave nonessential modern objects in the privacy of your own tent.
Cameras and video cameras are obvious items to tote around at Pennsic, but be courteous in your use of them. Taking pictures of people and/or their encampments without their permission is a step on the rude side. Ask first. Most people are happy to be camera-hogs, but if they say no, just leave it at that. If you yourself are asked to pose for a photograph, bear in mind that it’s perfectly all right to say no. But again, be courteous. Everyone appreciates politeness.
A good tip for using your camera equipment at Pennsic: Don’t tote it around all the time. Instead, block some time for specific photo runs. Go out, take the pictures, and put the camera away again. It sure beats carrying yet another item around all the time!
Try to avoid wearing modern clothing at all times. You will see some people in modern clothing here and there. These people are generally either campground staff or modern campers, fighters in the process of armoring up or down, folks who have just arrived and arestill setting up camp, or people on the way into or back from town. In my opinion, if you’re headed into or returning from town or the bathhouse or the swimming hole, you can still cover your modern clothing with a tabard or light cloak.
Of course, like any event, it’s generally considered polite to avoid discussing modern topics anywhere on site. You never know if someone within earshot is trying to maintain his or her period atmosphere, and bursting someone’s bubble with unwelcome modern conversation isn’t very nice. Of course it happens, but you can certainly choose not to add to the poor examples.
Pennsic tends to be very relaxed about a lot of silly modern items, like Nerf™ weapons and plastic lawn ornaments. Of course we’re still all in this to have fun. I’m just encouraging you to put the modern stuff away when you’re not actually using it.
At any event, fantasy costuming is strongly discouraged. It may be fun for the individual, but it ruins the atmosphere for those who are trying to experience “The Dream.” Again, be courteous to those around you. Don’t spoil their good time with your fantasy costume—it’s not appropriate garb for an SCA event. The main exceptions to this general rule at Pennsic are the fancy-dress parties hosted by some groups at night.
As per the Pennsic rules and regulations, pets are not permitted on site. Any dog wearing a blue bow belongs to the Cooper’s Lake staff and belongs there. Personal-assistance animals (i.e. seeing-eye dogs) are permitted.
Keeping your campsite clean and tidy is a direct benefit to you and a courtesy to your neighbors. It’s amazing how much better you’ll feel every day just by taking 10 minutes to put away all your clothes and make your bed. When it comes to cleaning up, there are a few things to keep in mind:
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Do not wash dishes, clothing, food or yourself in the bathhouse sinks or at the water spigots. The same goes for the lake, any stream and the swimming holes.
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Dig a sinkhole for wastewater in your camp. A proper sinkhole is about 1.5 feet wide by 2 or 3 feet deep. Fill it in again before you leave the War.
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Place all garbage in plastic garbage bags and tie them tightly.
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Pennsic recycles! Dispose of recyclable items appropriately.
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Use the dumpsters for all garbage disposal. Dispose of your garbage often.
For the most part, Society members respect each others’ property and understand that the Golden Rule is very much in effect at Pennsic (and that’s not “He who has the gold makes the rules”). Theft is not a rampant problem. In fact, with approximately 10,000 people living cheek by jowl in largely unsecured tents with some very, very expensive equipment lying around loose, theft is surprisingly rare.
However, theft does occur. In general, it’s best to keep honest folks honest and to minimize temptation.
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Don’t leave your valuables lying around in plain sight. Tuck them under a blanket or other obscuring item in your tent.
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If you have something truly valuable that you can’t bear to risk losing, either leave it at home or purchase a locked trunk or chest to keep it in at Pennsic.
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It stands to reason that you shouldn’t leave your money around in plain sight. Stash it in a not-too-obvious place in your tent or, better yet, carry it with you in something you’re unlikely to lose. Traveler’s Cheques are the ideal way to go, since pretty much anyone will accept them and no one but you can use them.
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Don’t leave all your money in one place. This protects you from losing it all at once to not only thieves, but to flood or other unforeseen circumstances. Keep some reserve money well hidden and well protected from the elements (I like to leave some Traveler’s Cheques in my car in a well-protected, out-of-sight place).
Violence (off the battlefield) is also uncommon at Pennsic, but certainly not unheard of. When alcohol and sharp pointy objects—not to mention the ability to use them—come together in the same place, Situations—that’s with a capital “S”—can occur.
Drawing steel on someone is a Major Offense that will get you kicked out of Pennsic and the SCA before you even know what’s happening. If you doubt your ability to control your temper in any given situation, leave your cutlery in your tent. If you must express your feelings physically, fistfights are moderately more tolerable than knife-fights, though they’re certainly not encouraged, either.
For the most part, SCA members will police their own and will prevent or break up potential Situations. But, on occasion, things can get out of hand. Be smart, be cool, and don’t let it happen to you.
The SCA in general—and Pennsic in particular—can present an uncomfortably casual attitude toward sexual encounters. Tent-hopping is common and there are, unfortunately, some who view Pennsic as a giant “meat market.”
For the most part, SCA members are polite and chivalrous about such matters and will take “no” for an answer. Never feel pressured to do something you don’t want to. If you are willing to take advantage of the “free love” feeling, be careful! The Chirurgeon’s tent sometimes has free prophylactics ready for the taking. Take advantage of them if you need them. Better yet, plan ahead and bring your own protection if you think you’re going to have that sort of encounter.
If you ever find yourself in an uncomfortable situation with a person who is making increasingly inappropriate advances, remember that you are surrounded by people who can help. A single shout can bring five burly gentles who are more than happy to come to your rescue, whether you’re male or female. There is no shame in it! Be safe.
By the same token, don’t abuse this “911” call. People do not appreciate the “cry wolf” syndrome.
On the other side of the coin, making unwanted advances is NOT COOL in any situation, within the SCA or without. Actually attempting to force your will on someone is a Major Offense. Don’t do it!
Where there are camps, there are fires. And where there are tents, there are fire hazards.
Your tent fabric may say “Fire Resistant,” but that really doesn’t mean much. When it goes, it goes, and in a place like Pennsic—where tents are pretty close to each other—when one tent goes, a lot more usually go with it. Be smart and safe!
Pennsic (and Cooper’s Lake Campground) has some pretty stringent rules about the use of flame-powered devices and fires. To wit:
- Flame-powered light sources must be spill-resistant (i.e. screw-top canister).
- No hand-carried torches are allowed.
- Elevated flame-powered light sources should be stable and located at a distance equal to their height plus one foot from any structure or flammable ground cover.
- No open flames permitted inside tents.
Let me just go over a few of these in more detail, lest you misunderstand or choose to ignore these rules:
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Candles and candle lanterns within tents are right out. It’s a danger to yourself and to others to have open flame (or even enclosed flame) light sources within or near a tent. However romantic or period candles may be, don’t do it. If a fire marshal catches you with one, you’ll get seriously bawled out at the very least. But mainly, don’t do it because that’s the responsible course of action. It’s all very well and good to say, “Hey, I’m a careful, responsible person, so it’s OK if I go ahead and use a candle in my tent, because I know I’ll be extra careful not to knock it over.” Ever heard the phrase, “Famous last words”? Just don’t do it, no matter how careful you think you’ll be. It’s a Dangerous and Dumb Thing to do. (Period atmosphere tip: Purchase battery-operated "candles" and use them in your tent as a light source. You can even get flicker-bulbs.)
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“Elevated flame-powered light sources” include the ever-present tiki torches (you know, those oil-lamp-cans on sticks that people use on beaches?). Essentially, make sure that if a tiki torch is knocked down violently in any given direction, it will land at least one foot shy of any flammable object (such as a tent rope or wall).
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Obviously, carrying torches or candles around with you is just as dangerous and dumb, and just as prohibited, as having flames inside your tent. There are lots of ropes, sticks and tent stakes just waiting for the unwary pedestrian to trip on them. Usually these pitfalls are near tents where the presence of open flame is the most dangerous. Bring a flashlight or portable lantern. These are modern devices that are absolutely acceptable.
To further create an environment that is oriented toward fire safety, it is strongly recommended that each encampment have the following fire safety equipment:
- One 10-BC extinguisher for every five liquid fuel flame-powered devices in camp (i.e. camp stoves, kerosene lanterns, etc.).
- Two fire buckets with water or sand for every fire pit.
- Fire blankets.
By the way, remember that your internal light source will cast your shadow on the wall of your tent for all the world to see. Be careful what you do.
When it comes to campfires, you have no business building or maintaining one unless you have experience or are under the watchful eyes of someone with the experience you lack. General campfire safety rules as regards Pennsic (these are not official Pennsic rules):
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DO NOT just pick a spot and build a fire. Fire safety demands a fire pit ringed with stones or cleared of flammable material to a certain distance. You are allowed to dig a fire pit at Pennsic, but you must fill it in again, so keep the dirt and turf nearby for safety and for filling the pit again later.
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Pay attention to the proximity of tents and public walkways to your fire pit or ring. Could a spark reach something flammable? Could someone trip near your fire?
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Official Pennsic Rule: DO NOT cut shrubs or trees. Firewood is available in the Camp Store.
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DO NOT use your fire or fire pit as a trash receptacle. The only items that should EVER be added to a campfire are wood and possibly some organic food trash. NEVER put plastic, glass or metal items in a fire. Even paper products are iffy—they are often coated with plastics or impregnated with other noxious chemicals. Dry, uncoated paper is also hazardous in that it tends to get carried aloft by the fire’s thermal convection while still burning, and can land anywhere—like on someone’s tent—to start a fire of its own.
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Keep a large container of water or sand or dirt near your fire at all times in case it gets out of control.
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Keep your fire small and contained. Most of the time, there’s absolutely no need for a roaring bonfire.
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Avoid an unnecessarily smoky fire by using only very dry wood. Be aware of how much smoke your fire is producing and where that smoke is going—you could be annoying or damaging the health of your neighbors.
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DO NOT go to bed while there is ANY fire burning in your fire pit. Make sure the fire has completely died down to white ash or black charcoal—nothing should be flaming or glowing. This obviously leads to the concept of not adding any wood to the fire if you’re planning to turn in soon. Left unattended, open flames or glowing coals can very easily lead to a spreading fire.
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If you intend to use your fire pit again, don’t drench it with water. You will create a wet ash-puddle in which you will be unable to light another fire.
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When you’re completely done with a fire (i.e. not going to build another fire during that event), douse it. Sprinkle enough water to quench all embers and charcoal, but don’t flood the pit. Remember that another person is likely to need to fire pit within a few days. Use a stick to stir the embers and ashes to get them all wet; turn charcoal over and wet it down on all sides. When nothing hisses anymore as you pour water over it and you can comfortably lay your hands on all material, it’s sufficiently doused.
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Remove any material except ash from your fire pit and dispose of it properly.
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If you have dug your own fire pit, you must fill it up again. Do so carefully and thoroughly. Replace the turf you removed as well.
Pennsic has four major health hazards: The heat, the water, the plague and—believe it or not—the cold.
Probably one of the most prevalent dangers at Pennsic is heat. The Pennsic sun is uncommonly fierce. A goodly part of Pennsic (most notably the battlefields and merchant areas) have no trees for shade, which is coincidentally exactly where most people are going to spend the bulk of their time. People spend a lot of their day shopping or watching the battles, and are consequently standing in the sun for hours and hours on end.
Sunburn (and worse, sun poisoning) is not fun. It can even be dangerous.
You can never have enough sun block. Always remember that a key-neck tunic or low-necked bodice exposes different areas of skin than a modern T-shirt does, or that a single layer of lightweight, light-colored fabric does not protect your skin from the sun. The areas to watch out for are:
- Neck and shoulders.
- Top of the chest and back.
- Arms (even under your sleeves!).
- Face.
- Tops of the feet (trust me on this, especially if you’re wearing sandals).
- Any other areas of skin that are not covered by medium- to heavy-weight dark fabric.
Apply your sun block often during the day. No matter what the bottle says, you will sweat or rub the lotion off in the course of the day.
A sunhat is ideal for shading your face, neck and shoulders. You will see a great many people in a variety of garb periods wearing a straw sunhat around Pennsic. This is not a question of being period—it’s just smart!
Veils are also excellent for protecting your head, neck, shoulders and forehead.
Don’t be fooled by cloudy days. Days with a total, high cloud cover are even more dangerous than sunny ones simply because people figure they don’t need their sun block and sunhat. Wrong! The clouds only block the sun’s light, not its ultraviolet rays, which are the real danger. Put your sun guards on whenever it isn’t raining.
Dehydration probably poses the biggest health hazard to fighters and non-fighters alike. It is the first step towards the progressively serious conditions of heat exhaustion, heat prostration and heat stroke. No matter who you are or what you’re doing at Pennsic, you are a prime candidate for dehydration and its nastier cousins if you don’t pay attention.
The early warning signs of dehydration are increasingly serious degrees of headache, nausea and dizziness. Sound familiar? If you’ve ever had a hangover, it should. A hangover is nothing more than early-stage dehydration. You can avoid dehydration—and every potential hangover—by drinking plenty of water. If you begin to feel the warning signs of dehydration, find a place to sit down, rest and drink plenty of the right kinds of fluid (see below).
The things you should be drinking a lot of at Pennsic are water, juice or sport drinks. Juice and sport drinks (such as Gatorade™) supply you with the two critical ingredients for avoiding dehydration: water and electrolytes (salts). When you sweat, you’re losing both water and salt from your system. You must maintain a certain salt level in your body in order to use any water you drink. If you’re drinking plain water, you’ll want to replace your salts by noshing on some chips, pickles, pretzels or other salty products. In general, water is better for you than juice or sports drinks. Drink lots of water and the occasional juice or sports drink, or dilute the latter with more water.
Things you should not drink during the hot, Pennsic days: caffeine and alcohol. These products are both diuretics—they actually draw water out of your body. Essentially, these beverages have a negative effect when it comes to staying hydrated. Do not drink iced tea and call it done unless the iced tea is decaffeinated. General rule of thumb: If the container doesn’t say “caffeine free,” it probably isn’t.
You should also avoid drinking fluids that are ice cold. They can shock your system if you’re already starting to overheat and may make you throw what you drink right back up. Fighters and other athletes are all too familiar with the results of chugging too much liquid too quickly or of drinking liquid that’s too cold.
Milk also doesn’t mix well with physical activity or hot days.
If someone approaches you at Pennsic and tells you that you need to sit down and drink, do it. No matter how you feel at the time, he or she is probably right. And besides, even if you don’t really need it at that moment, the drink certainly won’t hurt you. On the other hand, if you spot someone looking a bit pale and non-sweaty during the high heat of the day, make that person sit down and drink.
It’s very easy to overheat at Pennsic. Garb is often heavy, multi-layered and all-covering, which doesn’t leave much room for your sweat to evaporate. Pay attention to your body’s temperature and slow down if you’re getting really, really hot. Uncomfortably hot is one thing; dangerously hot is another.
The inside of your tent is not a safe place to seek shelter from the heat or the sun. Unless your tent is completely in the shade, it is a dangerous oven. Do not take daytime naps inside your tent if it is in the sun. It is extremely hazardous to your health.
Most people know how to deal with cold days, but do you know how to deal with cold, damp nights? Besides arranging your bedding so that you’re off the ground and under layers, the single most important thing you can do before bed is to remove every single item of clothing you wore that day and replace them with clean, dry garments. Even if your tunic feels dry to you, it’s still damp with your perspiration, and damp clothing equals cold clothing.
Another thing to remember is that the two areas of highest heat loss in the human body are the head and feet. If you’re really cold, put on a hat and warm, dry socks. You’ll warm up quickly!
Another little-known tip is a trip to the bathroom. A full bladder is a lot of liquid that your body is spending energy on keeping warm. You have no idea how much warmer you’ll feel after a trip to the johns!
You’ve probably heard this mentioned already. The Plague refers to the high occurrence of general illness at Pennsic. There are a lot of contributing factors, and being aware of them can help you avoid becoming sick yourself:
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Physical and/or emotional exhaustion.
Remedy: Get plenty of rest and take the social time-outs you need. -
Poor washroom hygiene.
Remedy: Take advantage of the antibacterial hand cleanser in the port-a-johns and/or carry your own with you. -
Dust and smoke.
Not much remedy here; just be aware that you’ll probably suffer from congestion, which will weaken you to other illnesses. You might consider bringing over-the-counter antihistamines or decongestants. -
Poor nutrition.
Remedy: Make sure you get your three meals a day, no matter how little appetite you have from the heat, and make sure you’re following a balanced diet. Seriously consider supplementing your Pennsic diet with vitamin pills. -
Poor dishwashing habits.
Remedy: Make sure you wash and sanitize your dishes promptly and thoroughly after every use. Use very hot water and plenty of soap for washing, very hot water for rinsing, and consider using a very mild bleach solution (about 1 teaspoon per wash basin) for sanitizing as a final step before allowing your dishes to air-dry completely (towel drying leaves moisture, which can encourage bacterial growth). Wood is much more difficult to clean thoroughly; consider avoiding wooden dishes at Pennsic. -
Poor trash habits.
Remedy: Remove all trash to the proper campground receptacles regularly and at least once a day. Flies will carry all sorts of nastiness from garbage to your food. Treat all meats, particularly chicken, like a hazardous material. Don’t let the raw meat or its packaging get in contact with any other foods or food prep utensils. Dispose of scraps and packaging directly, and wash your hands thoroughly with antibacterial soap immediately after handling. -
Pennsic water.
Remedy: Avoid drinking it. It’s not outright dangerous, but it is has an extremely high mineral content, which may give you digestive trouble or make you ill. -
Poor bedtime habits.
Remedy: Don’t get roaring drunk and fall onto your bed still dressed and above the covers to pass out. You’ll really, really regret it with the cold, damp Pennsic nights.
Nature has bugs. It also has an assortment of small, furry creatures. You should be aware of the following non-human life forms with whom you will most likely be sharing campground facilities.
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Ants abound and will get into your tent and food. Keep everything well sealed!
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Flies are everywhere and carry all sorts of nasty ickiness. Keep your campground clear of refuse.
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Mosquitoes are a biological inevitability. They’re generally not too bad during the day, but they’re horrendous at night. Bring plenty of insect repellent.
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Wasps (particularly yellow jackets) and hornets are common at campgrounds. If you’re susceptible to anaphylactic shock, bring your kit. Always check your beverage container before drinking when wasps are in the area (getting your tongue stung is most unpleasant). Wasps are attracted to sugar, fruit, meat, perfumes (including soap and shampoo fragrances) and certain bright colors. If they’re persistent in approaching you, it’s probably because you look or smell like a flower to them. DO NOT react violently to the presence of a wasp; brush it away gently or kill it outright. It doesn’t know you from a tree. If you flail wildly at it and rouse its aggressive tendencies, it may sting someone else—who may be violently allergic. You can reduce wasp presence in your campground by taking the same precautions as you should with flies. You can reduce your personal wasp attraction by avoiding perfume and perfumed soap or shampoo.
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Honeybees are not wasps. What’s the difference? Honeybees tend to be smaller, more rounded, darker in color and fuzzier than yellow jackets (other wasps are pretty obviously wasps). Honeybees have a hooked stinger that they leave behind when they sting, thus killing themselves in the process. They can only sting once—then they die. Wasps, on the other hand, have a straight stinger and can sting you as often as they please. The result is that honeybees tend to be really passive and gentle, while wasps tend to be much more aggressive. Try to leave honeybees alone as much as possible (they’re cute, really), and just be careful with the wasps.
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Ticks are an increasing problem across the country. Dog ticks are generally large and easy to spot, and are pretty harmless in terms of blood-borne diseases (although that’s changing). Deer ticks are about the size of the head of a pin and are really, really dangerous—they’re the major vector for Lyme’s disease. Check yourself very thoroughly from head to toe every night before bed. Better yet, have a friend check you over. Don’t be shy, just be safe. Do not attempt to remove an embedded tick yourself unless you have experience. Seek the help of someone else with experience or a Chirurgeon. (By the way: If you see a “bulls-eye” mark or rash area on you or a friend, get medical help immediately. This is the first sign that you’ve been bitten by an infected deer tick. Getting onto a course of antibiotics immediately can eliminate or dramatically reduce your chances of developing Lyme’s disease.)
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Crane flies (also called mosquito hawks) look like giant (really giant—a one-inch leg span!) mosquitoes. They’re not. They do not bite or sting. They eat mosquitoes. They will likely take up residence between your tent and your rain fly with the mosquitoes. Leave them alone.
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Dragonflies also do not bite or sting. They also eat mosquitoes. Leave them alone, too.
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Praying mantises are large and scary looking, and eat all sorts of bugs. Leave them alone.
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Bats are as common as the bugs. Bats are your friends. They eat the bugs. Leave the bats alone.
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Mice and moles will burrow under your tent. Mice may make a bid for your food. Take the same precautions as with ants, but keep things in chew-proof containers.
- Skunks, raccoons and opossums are possible. Treat all three with extreme respect. Raccoons will probably run away from you (OK, maybe not run, exactly); skunks never will; opossums will probably glare at you sullenly or play dead. Guard your food against these raiders and don’t keep any food products in your tent unless they are completely sealed inside a cooler. The last thing you want is a nosy skunk working its way into your tent after that candy bar you brought in as a late-night snack. If you do encounter a skunk, don’t panic. Keep your distance and politely make your presence known. Only skunks that feel startled or threatened will use their infamous weapon. Even then, they’ll give you plenty of warning. Once a skunk knows you’re around, it will probably wander off relatively soon.
Note: When interacting with the native wildlife, consider the word "native"—these critters live at Pennsic year round. They’re the residents; you’re the guest. They were there first, and will be there when you’re gone. Treat them with respect.
Merchant Madness: Tips On How To Shop Wisely
Shopping is the number one temptation and pastime of Pennsic. As the saying goes, “If you can’t find it at Pennsic, it can’t be found.” There are many, many merchants to choose from and a seemingly endless number of items to buy. Here are some helpful hints for the inexperienced Pennsic shopper:
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Never, ever buy something your first time around the shops. If you see something you really like, make a note of where it is and continue on your way. Chances are you’ll find it someplace else for less.
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Budget a certain amount of spending money and don’t go over it. The last thing you want to do is spend all your Pennsic money shopping and then find that you don’t have enough left over to buy gas for the trip home.
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Don’t bring all your money with you when you shop. Just bring a little for the first mosey through the merchant area or enough to buy what you saw the last time through. In fact, it’s a great idea to separate your money into “accounts” (such as food, shopping, travel) and to leave some emergency funds well hidden in your vehicle for the return trip.
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Cash or Traveler’s Cheques are the safest bet when shopping at Pennsic. Some merchants take credit cards; others don’t. Some merchants accept personal checks; most won’t.
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On Wednesday of the second week of Pennsic, the merchants declare “Midnight Madness.” Most of the merchants keep their shops open ‘til midnight, and you can find some fantastic sales and bargains. Take advantage of it to haggle over that whatnot you’ve been drooling over all week. Midnight Madness is tons of fun!
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Merchants don’t like to bring their wares home with them again. If you hold off on buying something you really like until Pennsic is almost over, you might be able to wheedle the merchant into giving you a really good deal. On the other hand, the item might get sold to someone else before you have a chance to go back for it. It’s a gamble, but sometimes it pays off.
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If you see something you really like, but don’t have the budget to buy it at Pennsic, take the merchant’s business card and/or catalog (many merchants have them), write a description of the item you like on the back and take the card home with you. Give it to your friends and relatives as a Christmas gift suggestion, or wait till you have sufficient funds and order it through the mail yourself.
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Haggling is period! Some merchants can be talked down in price; others are willing to make a trade of goods.