low numbers

I think it has something to do with the fluctuating gas pices(it ranges anywhere from $3.67 to $3.89/gal. out here in Oklahoma City). I know I habe not grown tired of it. :o) Can't to come 'home'.

We had our pre-Pennsic household meeting this past weekend, and rumor is that overall pre-reg numbers are down a bit, from campers to merchants. What "down a bit" means will remain to be seen - I agree that the hard-core folks will be there if at all possible, but there's no denying that the inflation we're seeing across the board is making people re-think priorities.

At the least, I suspect we're all going to be a lot more frugal.

I agree with the consensus that alot of the downward flux of numbers has to do with the economy.

A friend of mine talked to one of the Cooper's a few days ago and apparantly pre-reg was down 17% from last year. I think combined with the change in dates and the Economy, some people just can't make it this year. Maybe there will be less fighting over camp space and less squatters (At least down in the swampie areas).

Our camp seems to hold steady in its numbers from year to year but fluxes on who actually attends. The time change has affected some of our auto company workers because they get an automatic two weeks off in July for shut down and can't take the time off. Then again we gain a two weeker because of school timing. We also had a Feargus steal one of our numbers but as long as he keeps paying "dues" each year, we'll let it slide.

We too have the same number of pre-regs as usual, but we may have lower numbers actually attending since at least 4 of the pre-regs were put in with a note of not knowing about actually making it until closer to Pennsic with gas prices going up, dissertation defenses, and Presidential campaign stuff going on.

As merchants...We are expecting numbers to be lower at Pennsic. We are adjusting our mundane life to fuel prices too...It sucks!!
Anyway we have wanted to be more avaliable to those who fight but may not be able to make the Pennsic journey for their vacation, so we as merchants have been trying to show up at some of the traditional wars just to be available to more folk.
I personally: would flip hamburgers for weeks to be able to get my Pennic yearly fix. But this might be a good thing for all because those who want the best armor may not have to travel to see, feel and talk about what they want.
Everything always has some good out of it right. I wonder if I will be able to get ahot shower at Pennsic . Maybe after midnight ??

A friend of mine is involved with the pre-registration process, and he says there appear to be over 10,000 pre-regs.

Nowhere near close to a final number, of course, since pre-reg just closed Sunday, but there ya go.