Photo courtesy of Harrisburg Board Game Day.
On a Saturday in late July, 344 people arrived at Whitaker Center in downtown Harrisburg shortly before 10 a.m.
Some came with friends, some came alone. Many arrived with large backpacks full of games, while others were empty-handed.
Whitaker Center is a place where people can discover art, music, theater and science. On this day, the exploration was focused on one hobby—board games. Teenagers, adults and senior citizens spent 10 hours laughing, learning, connecting, winning, and, at times, getting a little frustrated.
Harrisburg Board Game Day brings hobby enthusiasts to the state’s capital annually. The event began about six years ago as Midtown Board Game Day and has since grown in size and focus.
Organizer Matt Caylor said Board Game Day has three goals: bring people together, celebrate the gaming hobby, and introduce people to Harrisburg.
“We want people to see the city is safe, it is clean, and there are things to do here,” he said.
People often come to Harrisburg for game day and then spend an additional day discovering its food and beverage scene, architecture and history.
“I tell people from across Pennsylvania the state Capitol is a beautiful building that you own—come see it,” Caylor said.
Caylor and his wife, Manda Shafer, have been game enthusiasts for about a decade after being introduced to them at a comic book convention. They play regularly, and Shafer is preparing to publish her first game, called The Establishment. Like many others, their attraction to board games centers around challenges and personal connections.
“We are taking our phones and putting them in our pockets,” Caylor said. “We are playing together, and there is not this device between us.”
Board games give introverts the opportunity to meet new people without awkward chit-chat.
“We have something to do and can build community connections,” Caylor said. “It gives a framework to develop friendships and make new connections.”
Perfect Fit
At Harrisburg Board Game Day, there are several ways to participate.
Some people host tables and display signs that state, “looking for players.” Others know which games they want to try and focus on those gatherings. Board game publishers also occupy space so they can teach people their creations and answer any questions.
The Bodhanna Group of York, a nonprofit organization that advocates for the use of tabletop games as therapy, brings a portion of its 1,000-title collection for attendees to borrow.
The entire event is free. Players raise money for Whitaker Center through donations, raffles and T-shirt sales.
Harrisburg Board Game Day is growing from an event to an organization. In May, they host a board game yard sale at Pursuit Coworking on 3rd Street in conjunction with the Midtown Yard Sale. The all-volunteer group is exploring a third event and working toward acquiring its official nonprofit status.
The next Harrisburg Board Game Day isn’t until next August, but those interested in exploring the hobby do not have to wait that long. New and experienced players can find board game nights on Meetup.com. Harrisburg Board Game Day also regularly posts opportunities on its Facebook page.
“Most of the hosts spend more time teaching games and inviting people in than playing themselves,” Caylor said. “They are doing this because they are passionate about the hobby.”
He also encourages those interested in learning more to visit one of the area’s five board game shops—The Adventurer’s Guild in Susquehanna Township, Lazarus Games in Harrisburg, Blue Moon Games in Lemoyne, Eclipse Gaming Café in Carlisle and UrTurn Games & Gifts in Palmyra. Shop owners and staff are always eager to discuss players’ interests, time commitments, and strategy levels to help them find the perfect fit, Caylor said.
Caylor has met some of his closest friends through his beloved hobby, and he is excited to help others make similar connections.
“We have been through birthdays, weddings, divorces and the pandemic,” he said. “We never would have known each other if it were not for board games.”
To learn more about Harrisburg Board Game Day, visit its Facebook page or email harrisburgboardgameday@gmail.com.
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