I spend a lot of time writing about first-year LARPs through my Grow With You program breaking down what makes a community special and highlighting the people working so hard behind the scenes.
But this one is different.
Drachenfest isn't a new game. It's one of the biggest fantasy events in the country, and somehow this year managed to remind me why I fell in love with LARP in the first place
For me, Drachenfest starts and ends with the people.
Home Away From Home
Camping alongside my Dark Banner family once again felt like coming home. Between the laughter around camp, the late-night conversations, the absolute nonsense we somehow find ourselves in, and the moments where everyone just exists together... those are the memories that stay with me long after the armor gets packed away.
Every year our little camp grows stronger, and every year I leave wishing we had just one more night.
Bazaar Life
If you've never wandered the Bazaar at Drachenfest, you're missing one of the best parts of the event.
It's alive.
Music around every corner. Merchants calling people over. Random roleplay that somehow turns into an hour-long adventure. Friends you swear you just saw somehow appearing from the opposite direction five minutes later.
Every guild has its own little corner of magic. Whether it's craftsmen sharing their skills, performers drawing a crowd, scholars plotting over maps, or adventurers recruiting anyone willing to listen, every path seems to lead to another story waiting to happen.
The nights are just as memorable.
Somehow they always ended with laughter spilling out of the Magpie, stories getting taller with every mug raised, and friends becoming family over songs and questionable decisions. If you weren't there, you could probably still hear the cheering from halfway across camp.
And then there's the wonderfully absurd side of Drachenfest.
Goofy fist fights breaking out between the Orcs and the Brass Brigade that somehow left everyone laughing.
A Gnome... well... let's just call it a Gnome-a-side that had half the Bazaar stopping to watch.
A bomb in the middle of the street that somehow became everyone's problem.
Those are the moments that make this world feel alive. Not because they're scripted, but because hundreds of players lean into the chaos together and create stories you'll be laughing about long after the event ends.
Life in the Bazaar is just... pristine.
My only disappointment?
I never managed to get a bowl of soup this year at the Broth- Hal.
And somehow Cursed Coffee managed to run out on Friday and Saturday. Those mornings were, appropriately, cursed.
The Stories We Create
Some of my favorite moments weren't planned.
That's the beauty of Drachenfest.
The best stories rarely begin with a quest. They start with a simple decision to leave camp.
You head out intending to grab a bite to eat, check out a merchant, or say hello to a friend. Four hours later you've somehow made new allies, survived political intrigue, fought something terrible, been recruited into a plan you only half understand, and walked away with three new inside jokes that will somehow still be funny six months from now.
This year was full of those moments.
A stolen lemon tree somehow became everyone's business.
The shocking murder of a beloved crafter had camps and guilds scrambling to uncover the truth.
Rumors spread through the Bazaar faster than facts ever could, and every conversation seemed to reveal another piece of a story unfolding somewhere else in the world.
That's what I love most about Drachenfest. The world doesn't wait for you to interact with it it keeps moving. Every player contributes to the living story, whether they're leading armies, running a shop in the Bazaar, brewing tea, performing on stage, guarding a guild hall, or simply stopping to chat with a stranger.
You never know when a casual conversation is about to become the highlight of your weekend.
That's the magic.
Not just the spells or the monsters but hundreds of people saying "yes" to the story together and creating moments that couldn't possibly be scripted.
Blood Hunt
Night one.
Time to orc.
There is something incredibly satisfying about roaming the streets during the Blood Hunt and watching people suddenly become very aware of every shadow.
Making adventurers question whether taking the shortcut home is worth it?
10/10.
Would menace the streets again..
Middenball... Explained?
I'm still trying to process Middenball.
If you've never seen it, imagine rugby...
Now remove most of the rules.
Add a healthy dose of chaos.
Then ask everyone involved if they think this is a good idea.
That's Middenball.
Of course, the Orcs have a team.
Because naturally we do.
There's something deeply entertaining about watching armored players sprint across the field with absolutely no regard for their own well-being while everyone on the sidelines cheers, laughs, and occasionally questions what they're witnessing.
And then, somehow...
...there was a Yeti.
On the field.
I'm not entirely sure how we got from "let's play a game" to "why is there a Yeti charging people," but at Drachenfest, nobody really asks those questions. You just accept that it's happening and keep cheering.
It's loud. It's ridiculous. It's surprisingly competitive. It's one of those wonderfully unhinged traditions that somehow perfectly captures the spirit of Drachenfest.
If you've never watched a Middenball match, put it on your list for next year.
Just... maybe don't stand too close to the sidelines.
The Weather We Dream About
Can we talk about how unbelievably lucky we got?
The weather was incredible.
Not blistering hot. Not unbearably humid. Just comfortable enough that people could actually play, socialize, and enjoy the event.
Even the rain gave us something special.
A handful of my private portrait sessions happened during or immediately after showers, and the results were absolutely magical. Wet cobblestones, soft light, moody skies it looked like fantasy artwork brought to life.
I'll happily take those conditions again next year.
Through My Camera
One of the greatest privileges of being the event photographer is the people I get to meet.
Every private portrait session introduces me to someone new.
Some are veterans showing off years of craftsmanship.
Some are attending their very first event.
Some have spent months building a character they've dreamed about for years.
For thirty minutes we get to create something together, and almost every session turns into stories, laughter, lore, and new friendships.
It's one of my favorite parts of the entire week.
Behind the Lens
Thousands upon thousands of moments were documented.
This was also my second year working with the Drachenfest US Media Team, and I genuinely think we knocked it out of the park.
Epic battles.
Quiet camp conversations.
Beautiful costumes.
Ridiculous antics.
Tiny character moments most people never realize anyone saw.
It takes an incredible team to cover an event this size, and I'm proud to have been part of it.
Until Next Year
Leaving Drachenfest is always bittersweet.
You spend a week living in another world, surrounded by people who become family faster than seems possible, only to return home wondering how it's already over.
Now comes the editing.
Thousands upon thousands of photographs waiting to tell the story of another unforgettable year.
I can't wait to relive every one of those moments while working through them.
And if the weather gods are listening...
Can we please do that exact weather again next year?
See you in the Bazaar.
— Jen
GamerGurl Photography
The galleries are ready, and soon they'll be yours to explore. As they begin to drop, take your time scrolling through them. You'll relive the battles, the friendships, the laughter in the Bazaar, the quiet moments around campfires, and maybe even discover a candid memory you never knew someone captured.
If we met during a private portrait session, stopped to chat in the Bazaar, shared a drink at the Magpies, or crossed paths somewhere in the streets, thank you for making this year's Drachenfest so unforgettable.
Until next year may your coffee stay in stock, your soup find its way to your hands, and the weather be just as kind. I'll see you all back in the Bazaar.
