Rochester’s Chateau Theatre Is Turning Into a Giant Game Room for 3 Days

A recent YouGov study revealed that nearly two-thirds of adults (65%) say they enjoy playing board games. More than one in five are absolute diehards who don't just pull out a box from time to time, they treat board gaming as a full-blown hobby.

Unsurprisingly, the classics are the most popular. Monopoly remains the most-played board game in America, followed closely by Checkers, Scrabble, Connect Four, and Yahtzee. If you're a board gamer and want to discover your next favorite game, or just find some new people to play with, downtown Rochester is the place to be this weekend.

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What Is Castle Con in Downtown Rochester?

Castle Con is a full-on tabletop gaming convention designed to bring people together Friday, August 14 through Sunday, August 16 at the Chateau Theatre.

person in white shirt sitting beside table with puzzle game

The event's organizer, David Razidlo, says this event is for experience levels, "Castle Con is a place for both experienced tabletop gamers and for people who might be completely new to modern board games or gaming conventions. We work hard to make this a fun and welcoming event for all—we estimate about half of attendees have never been to a board gaming event before!”

There will be a massive game library you can pick from, open gaming spaces, and dedicated "Learn-to-Play" sessions so you don't have to spend forty minutes reading the rulebook.

Beyond open play, the weekend schedule is packed with extra events:

• Castle Con Chase (Saturday, Aug 15 at 10 AM): Part race, part scavenger hunt. Teams will follow clues and complete fun challenges all around downtown Rochester.
• Jigsaw Puzzle Contests (Sunday, Aug 16): Speed-puzzling competitions for pairs, families, and teams of four.
• Card Game Tournaments: Competitive and casual play for Magic: The Gathering and Pokémon.
• Miniature Painting & RPGs: Learn how to paint game figures, or jump into tabletop roleplaying sessions (including brand-new games currently in development).
• Fundraising Silent Auction: A chance to score rare games and gear while supporting a good cause.

Check here for a full schedule and ticket information.