ROCHESTER, Minn. — As the weather cools down, excitement is rising for gamers in Rochester. Castle Con kicked off its third annual pre-con event on Friday, offering a 10-hour warm-up for players eager for the Castle Con 2026 experience.

David Razidlo, the organizer, explained one of the featured games, Crokinole, which combines elements of curling, shuffle puck, and bocce. "The rules are pretty simple," Razidlo said. "Basically, you're trying to score points by hitting it right in the center."

The event took place at the historic Chateau Theater, where board game enthusiasts and novices gathered for a day filled with games, learning, and fun. Razidlo shared that many attendees were new to board game conventions and that this event aimed to give them a taste of what to expect. "Last time,

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