Fall 2022 ICON board gaming convention set for this weekend
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IDAHO FALLS — The Idaho Convention for Boardgamers is inviting board gaming fans of all ages out for the ICON Fall 2022 convention this Friday and Saturday in Idaho Falls.
ICON is two days of board games, raffles and fun for anyone who loves any and all types of board gaming. The event is happening at the Idaho Falls Veterans Memorial Building and gives board game lovers a chance to compete with like-minded people, learn new games and meet new friends.
“ICON is a board gaming convention for people of all ages, from kids all the way up to adults,” ICON spokesperson Jonathan DeYoung told EastIdahoNews.com. “We even have some people who are senior citizens show up, people who are 60-plus. We play board games for two days straight, have a few tournaments and have a lot of fun.”
The convention has long been a part of Idaho Falls and currently occurs twice a year, in April and October. The goal is the same as it’s always been: to give people a chance to play their favorite games, learn new games and maybe even find their next favorite game.
“We’ll have at least 200 different games that people can use,” said DeYoung. “People are also welcome to bring their own games. We’ll also have a representative from Roundtable Games who will be hosting a couple of tournaments and selling some games, as well.”
“ICON is a great place to find your next favorite game,” he added. “We have a bunch of games that are brand new. Some of them aren’t even out to the mass market yet. They’ve been Kickstarted or we get them from the manufacturer before they’ve actually been released. Some people from SaltCON (the Utah board gaming convention) come up every year and bring some of their games, as well.”
The convention will also include several tournaments featuring games like Dune Imperium and Glacial Skies. Roundtable Games will host a Magic: The Gathering tournament (for a $15.00 entry fee) on Friday and a “Learn-To-Play Dungeons & Dragons” session on Saturday.
There are also some opportunities for those motivated by winning free stuff to walk away with some cool prizes.
“We’re going to give away probably $300 or $400 worth of games at ICON as giveaways and raffles,” DeYoung said.
DeYoung said that board gaming is a great way to forge relationships and socialize throughout the year.
“The first time I went to ICON was 16-and-a-half years ago, I think, and I have friends from that very first ICON I went to that I still have today,” he said. “They’re still coming to ICON, as well. They’ve become life-long friends. Our kids have hung out together. Board gaming is a great thing to do with family and friends.”
ICON Fall 2022 is set for this Friday and Saturday, Oct. 7 and 8 at the Idaho Falls Veterans Memorial Building from 9 a.m. to midnight. Admission is $10.00 per day for adults, $5.00 per day for kids ages 12 – 17 and free for kids under 12. Visit the ICON Idaho Boardgamers Group on Facebook for more information.
