Something for Pennsic
Camping for two weeks has its own unique set of challenges from camping for two days. And when we're talking Pennsic, where it can be blisteringly hot one day and flooding the next, those challenges are significantly multiplied. Even worse... you're on a tight budget! How do you keep food that will last the whole war? What if you don't have enough garb for two weeks? What if something happens to your carefully-planned gear? Most importantly, how do you avoid the temptations of Merchant's Row?
Pennsic XXXII (2003) was my first Pennsic. By quick calculation, that means I've been to... one. I was not ready. I had almost no garb, a small modern pup-tent that I could barely stand in (never buy a tent marked "sleeps 2"), and no idea what I was doing. However, that didn't stop me from compiling tips I've read elsewhere and posting *your* tips. And, now that I'm back, I'm posting what I learned! If you're an experienced Pennsic-goer and know how to live cheaply at the war, please submit your tips so we can all benefit.
The stuff on this page:
- Annotated Pennsic packing list
- A glossary of Pennsic terms
- See my Pennsic Diary for 2003
- See my Pennsic Diary for 2004
- See my Pennsic Diary for 2006
- See my Pennsic Diary for 2007
- See my Pennsic Diary for 2008
- General tips
- Tips submitted by other people
- Tips submitted by Teffania Tuckerton
General tips on going to Pennsic:
- Preregister! If you're reading this page and on a budget, the most obvious thing you can do to save a few dollars is to preregister. The pre-registered gate fees are $10 less than non-preregistered. If you haven't done this yet and are planning on going to Pennsic, do it now!
- If you don't have enough garb, make some cheaply: It takes me exactly 2.5 meters of 45" fabric to make a floor-length tunic for myself with a fair amount of movement in the skirt. I plan on buying a whole bunch of cheap cotton or cotton/linen and making 7 to 10 cheap t-tunics, and perhaps 2 or 3 sideless surcotes (made nearly the same way as the t-tunics) out of the same material. Yes, these costs add up, but it is the season (spring) to get discounts on summer-weight materials. I intend on making this garb well and wearing it in the future. I consider it an investment.
- Instead of garb for all weathers, layer it: Don't start making heavy garb for all eventualities. Instead, make lots of lighter-weight garb and layer them if it gets cold. Three layers of lighter tunics works just as well as one heavier one, and is easier to take off if it gets warmer.
- Consider non-cooler camping.: It's more period and saves you the money on ice (and the time going back and forth to the store). Check out my tips for camping without a cooler.
- Consider camping with a group that has a meal plan: It will probably be cheaper than attempting to buy all your food yourself.
- Keep a list of what you want to buy: Prepare it beforehand and always keep it with you at Merchant's Row. If it's not on the list, don't buy it! If you want to be really good to yourself, mark down how much you expect to spend for each item on your list, and don't go above that limit. You might also leave a little money as "extra", because you know you're going to be tempted by something that's not on your list.
There is no five-step method to going to Pennsic because there's so many different areas that Pennsic covers, from sewing to cooking to camping. However, here are some submitted tips on making your Pennsic easier and cheaper.
- New tip! Submitted by Eulalia de Ravenfeld: One solution to the problem of chafing or just wanting pants under your garb that works well in divers climates is linen (or linen/cotton, or even just cotton) pants. I've found the elastic-waisted variety at local thrift stores for cheap (certainly under $10US, probably more like 5). These are perfect when you don't want to spring for something more fancy (like brais and hose). They absorb sweat during hot summer days and keep you cool, then when it gets colder at night (or at events not during the summer) the extra layer around your legs will trap some extra heat. I've even made a pair of drawstring waisted pants from dollar-a-yard fabric for a little bit cheaper than the purchased variety, but they wore out faster.
- Submitted by Hrefna: My husband and I don't like the taste of the our home's tap water so we installed a filter system. We have amassed a collection of plastic bottles that we wash and refill with the filtered water. A week or so before we begin packing for Pennsic, I fill several of these 1 liter and 2 liters bottles about 3/4 of the way full and put them in my freezer. I use these frozen bottles to put in our cooler and pack our food in around them. We take some food with us and then do a town run later if necessary. The blocks of ice last much longer than buying cubed ice. We don't have to buy ice from the camp store for our first 6-8 days in camp, depending on how hot it is. A bonus of this is that as the ice in the bottles melt, we have ice cold water for several days of camping.
If you have a tip for surviving Pennsic War cheaply, please email the webmistress at julie.golick@gmail.com.