Gamers unite for TableTop Day in Kentville
Variety was the name of the game on International TableTop Day.
The worldwide celebration encourages tabletop gaming enthusiasts to take a timeout from their busy lives to play some board games.
Last year alone, more than 80 countries hosted TableTop Day 2014 events.
Kentville resident Kim O’Connor is the driving force behind the TableTop Day events hosted in the Kentville area in the last three years.
The event continues to grow, with about 50 participants getting in on the action in 2014. The Town of Kentville offered up recreation centre space free of charge for the most recent TableTop Day celebration on April 11.
“It’s kind of like a game lending library for the day. People can come in and play whatever they like,” says O’Connor, whose husband and son also help with the event.
The free event was open to anyone interested O’Connors in playing games. The bring a wide variety of games that range appeal to all ages.
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“It’s nice to see the community come together over a common purpose,” says O’Connor, who works as a child psychologist.
Playing board games is a great way for people of all ages and backgrounds to interact in a comfortable environment, she adds.
“Board gaming in general is good for development for the kids in a lot of ways. It makes people actually interact together face to face, not just electronically.”
O’Connor sees TableTop Day as an extension of the regular Valley Game Night activities regularly hosted throughout the Annapolis Valley.
For Justin Poliquin, attending Valley Game Night meetings has been a way to meet new friends since moving to Kings County.
“The thing I really like about this community is it’s so welcoming,” the Steam Mill resident says.
“It’s a lot better than video games. You’re sitting around a table talking with people and it’s a lot of fun.”