July 28th, 2020
From the very beginning of the current pandemic, the goal of the Carnage Board has been to move forward with Carnage 2020. We have been continuously monitoring the situation, looking closely at the guidelines and requirements released by the CDC and the Vermont Department of Health. During this entire process we have been in contact with Mt Snow, endeavoring to create a plan that would allow for a safe and healthy event to be conducted.
With the recent deepening of the crisis, it has become clear that the end of the pandemic is still a long way off, as is the ability to conduct “business as usual” in regards to conventions. We have looked hard at how we could set up event spaces to incorporate social distancing, how we can ensure that spaces and tables are sanitized between sessions, providing sanitizing stations and opportunities for frequent hand washing. The reality of it is that although we can likely create an event that we could call Carnage 23, it would feel and look nothing like what people have come to expect from Carnage.
The Carnage Board, with the health, well-being and safety of our attendees and staff members first and foremost in our minds, has decided that Carnage 23 will not be presented as a live, in person convention. We see no practical way to move forward with the convention this year that does not put people at an increased risk of contracting COVID19. This risk, simply to hold a weekend of gaming, is not worth anyone’s health or well-being.
Soon Mt Snow will begin cancelling reservations made as part of the Carnage reservation block. These cancellations will happen automatically, and no action is required on the part of attendees unless they made a reservation outside the Carnage block. If by mid-August you have not seen a refund and cancellation confirmation from Mt Snow please contact them directly. There will be no Carnage sanctioned or approved in-person events at Mt Snow in 2020.
The dates for Carnage in 2021 have already been confirmed with Mt Snow (November 5-7, 2021) and we look forward to presenting a truly awesome gaming experience for Carnage 24!
All is not lost for this year! We will be offering a virtual event on the weekend of November 6-8, 2020. Over the next few weeks, we will release details of exactly what we have planned and begin soliciting ideas and assistance with conducting a virtual convention. Our intent is to offer a wide array of virtual gaming events, seminars, virtual meet & greets, live streams, video tours of Mt Snow and much more. It may not be Carnage in person, but it will be a great weekend of tabletop gaming none the less.
We want to thank each supporter and attendee of Carnage. The amazing people that come to Carnage year in and year out are the heart and soul of the event and are what make it so special.
Please stay safe and healthy. We will look forward to seeing you all in 2021!
– For the Carnage Board –
Joshua McGary, Board President
Carnage 2020