This is just a quick update to keep you informed of our progress tp Pennsic 49.
Over the last month the Pennsic 49 senior executive has met with the Crowns and Seneschals of the East, Midrealm, and Æthelmearc. We have discussed specific issue regarding the planning and running of Pennsic 49 and are discussing options and figuring out ways to run it safely, albeit maybe a little differently. Those plans are still under consideration, discussion, and planning, but we are still moving forward to our well-published final decision date of May 30.
I am aware that the Known World Seneschals have met with the SCA Inc. Executive Board over a range of issues prior to the full SCA Inc. Board meeting, I think some time in April. I am not aware, nor do I need to know the specifics of that meeting, however we were asked and did supply representation at the meeting to field any Pennsic War-specific questions.
We are continuing to plan for Pennsic 49 in 2021 until either 30 May 2021 or our hand is forced to make a decision sooner.
The good news is the the COVID-19 overlay is getting better in the USA, UK, and parts of Europe week by week. I pray it keeps going that way with the vaccines roll out.
I know this is not the news many need right now, but I’m letting you all know so that you can plan accordingly and be as aware as we are. Sorry I can’t say more.
As promised, I am sending this message out to keep you all informed as to how we are progressing to Pennsic 49. The reason for the update is so that you are able to walk the decision making path with me in a clear and transparent manner and know the rationale behind any decisions we, the Pennsic Management Team are making.
First of all I want you to all know that we are still planning for Pennsic 49 in 2021. I want to make it very clear that we are “planning,” not holding Pennsic 49 next week, as we are still months away from either the Pennsic 49 decision date at the end of May or the Pennsic War event itself.
Let me explain for those that have never seen behind the running of a major event like Pennsic… it does take a lot of planning and organisation. We can’t just start organising it at the end of June and get it all in place. The Pennsic War Management Staff and myself as Mayor of Pennsic start the process two years out from the Pennsic War we are running. I won’t go through all the boring administrative details, but it is a long and well managed process.
However, you need to be assured that I will adopt the same fact-based and health-informed approach to the planning for Pennsic 49 this year, as I did last year. I fully understand the concerns you all have about any large event at this time, but I still need to continue the planning required well ahead of the event itself.
The same timeline will be adopted again for this year as it was for last year and we have a decision date which at this stage is at the end of May 2021, give or take a week. We still have just under 6 months till Pennsic 49, and I am prepared to support the PSG and deliver the hard call if need be, the same as I did last year. Note the SCA Inc have currently suspended all SCA events until May 30, 2021. Those types of decisions are out of my control.
I also want you to understand that we are much further ahead this year regarding our knowledge of COVID-19 than we were at the same time last year. And yes, we are fully aware that mutant strains are evolving and that vaccines are being rolled out. However, these things need to be observed and evaluated over the next few months and consideration given as to what effect they are having on the COVID 19 health overlay, nation and worldwide. This in itself will form a large part of our decision-making package and like last year will always be based on current, up to date, CDC plus local State and County Health information.
I will not endanger people or risk Pennsic 49 becoming a “Super-spreader Event” just for the sake of having an SCA event. I am fully aware that people have concerns. At this stage I again reiterate that we are “planning” for Pennsic 49, not running Pennsic 49 right now. You all trusted me last year and those of you that know me, should know that I have no “ego” about being Mayor of Pennsic 49. I view myself as the custodian of the Pennsic War event, which encompasses the safety of attendees, organizers, staff and public community that surrounds the Pennsic War. I will not risk any these for the sake of swinging a stick, camping with friends and having a few pints around a campfire.
I hope this update helps you all understand the process we are going through. I will keep you updated with future posts when new information is available.
Second, there is a very important announcement regarding Seniority from Land One.
It has come to our attention that some land agents and/or groups are concerned about the potential loss of a year of seniority for their group if they do not attend Pennsic War 49. We would not want a person or group to feel obligated to attend PW49 if due to COVID-19 health or travel restrictions, they are not able to attend. This is especially true as we cannot predict what restrictions may be in place when PW49 is in progress.
As such, we will not be awarding a year of seniority for any of the groups who ultimately attend PW49. This assures that no group will receive any type of seniority advantage for having had the opportunity and desire to attend Pennsic where the COVID 19 restrictions would not prevent them from doing so.
Message and Update from the Mayor Pennsic 49 03 Dec 2020
G’Day Everyone,
The year 2020 has been one that we will remember for the rest of our lives for many reasons. Some, because of loved ones we have lost, some because for the first time we have seen the world in turmoil and some because we have been unable to relax and do the things we would normally do. Whatever the reason is, we will get through this together.
It is not my job to interpret the reasons for everything that has happened in 2020, apart from my personal view that I can’t wait for 2020 to just sod off!!
But I digress, this short note is to keep you up to date with where we are for Pennsic 49 in 2021. In November, the Pennsic Staff group, the Coopers Management Group, and I had a joint physical and zoom meeting to discuss the way forward for Pennsic 49. The single message you need to transmit and the message you need to take from the meeting is that we are continuing to plan on having Pennsic 49 in July/Aug 2021 at Coopers Lake Campground.
The Pennsic Staff and Coopers Management are working jointly on plans to make Pennsic 49 as safe as it can possibly be for attendees. This will mean some changes to the way we do things, but we are committed to making those changes as seamless and simple as possible so that Pennsic 49 can happen and we can all have a great relaxing holiday and Pennsic War.
I want to thank you all for your support and most of all for your curtailing of the rumour mill, which I have to say has been nothing short of amazing. I will continue to be transparent in our planning and keep you informed so that any decisions we make will be understood and not a surprise to people.
As more things line up, I will update you all so that you can be keep informed and plan your Pennsic 49 journey to once again celebrate together in friendship and combat.
Thanks again and please have a happy and safe Christmas and New Year.
Although the people of Æthelmearc and the Known World may be despondent at the postponement of our beloved War until next summer, the people of Pennsic have rallied like the army they are to the call of those in need!
At a time when medical bills and unemployment drive appeals to food banks to new heights and regular donors are unable to help, the #100kfromtheSCA initiative was created to combat the food shortage crisis in the Butler/Portersville area surrounding the Pennsic site with donations from Scadians across the world.
Now the people of Æthelmearc have one more reasons to look to our rulers with love and pride. At the command of Their Royal Majesties Maynard and Liadain, Kingdom Exchequer THNoble Rhys Penbras ap Dafydd donated Æthelmearc’s ENTIRE Pennsic Party fund for 2020 — totaling some $775 dollars — to the Portersville Food Pantry.
This disbursement from the hands of our gracious Monarchs brings the total to nearly $14,000, according to Cindy Burns, astonished food bank administrator.
One can only wonder if the rulers of the other signatory nations of the Pennsic Treaty will follow suit, or will the Virtue of our beloved monarchs stand unchallenged? VIVAT REX, VIVAT REGINA, VIVAT AETHELMEARC!
All those who wish to donate to them directly may due so by Paypal or Venmo via this link or by check to: Portersville Food Pantry, PO Box 102, Portersville, PA 16051.
Both the United Way and Portersville Food Pantry are 501(c)(3) charities, and all gifts are fully tax-deductible.
SCA Friends: We know that most of you make your storage payments during Pennsic. We wanted to make sure you were aware of our online payment system. Below you will find details on how to check your status and make a payment from the comfort of your home.
Every August, businesses in Butler County, Pennsylvania, where Pennsic is held, make much of their annual income from Scadians. With Pennsic canceled, that won’t happen this year. In addition, for many years the Portersville Food Pantry has been the beneficiary of literally tons of food collected by Paladin’s Pantry at the end of every Pennsic. That also won’t happen this year.
To assist Butler County in weathering this loss along with the hardships imposed by Covid-19, an inter-Kingdom group of SCA members, including our own Master Morien McBain, have come together to create the #100KfromtheSCA initiative. Check out the website to learn more.
COVID-19 is touching all of our lives and at this time our primary concern is the safety and well-being of our Pennsic Attendees, Cooper’s Lake Family and Staff:, the entire Community of people in and around Cooper’s Lake Campground we interact and depend upon, and our numerous vendors who supply our event. They are all part of the “Pennsic-War-Family”.
When I took on the office of Mayor of Pennsic 49, I promised to, and was entrusted with, the welfare and safety of the entire Pennsic Family. It is therefore with great sadness that I must inform you today that, we have decided to postpone Pennsic 49, scheduled for July 24, 2020 through August 9, 2020 to July 30, 2021 through August 15, 2021.
This postponement will come as heartbreaking news to many of you – and it has been an exceedingly difficult decision for us to make. Since the first Pennsic Wars at Cooper’s Lake we have been so proud to welcome people from all over the Knowne World to beautiful lands of Æthelmearc, but this year, sadly we cannot gather together as before.
As many of you have read in my previous COVID-19 updates, the impact of this terrible pandemic has effects that reach far past just those that attend Pennsic War. I will not go into all our considerations here again, you can all read my previous two posts that outline many of the factors we considered before making this decision. However, on this one occasion the emotion of Pennsic needed to be removed and the hard decision made.
It has been arranged with Cooper’s Lake Management, that those who have preregistered for Pennsic 49 may have their registrations rolled over to 2021.
If you desire a refund, please go to www.cooperslake.com and log into your pre-registration account.
Even if we cannot be together this July, we remain optimistic that the situation will soon improve. I know we are all very worried about the impact that COVID-19 is having on our loved ones and daily lives. My Pennsic team and I send you our very best wishes. We cannot wait to share time together at Cooper’s Lake again with you all.
Yours,
Sir Gregory of Loch Swan
Mayor
Pennsic 49
From Their Royal Majesties, Maynard & Liadain:
Noble populace, after much deliberation and consideration, Pennsic 49 will be postponed until 2021. We understand that this is disappointing and upsetting on many levels, for many reasons, however We fully support this decision.
The health and safety of our community, including the staff and hosts of this epic event, are of utmost importance. Please join us applauding the Pennsic Mayor, his staff and Kingdom Seneschals who were tasked to make this difficult call. Know that the horns of War will be heard again – this is but a delay. We will look to the future and will celebrate all that we continue to overcome.
