Origins Game Fair marks 30 years in Columbus

Tabletop gaming enthusiasts take over the convention center starting Wednesday, marking 30 years of Origins Game Fair in Columbus.

The intrigue: The annual convention will bring tens of thousands of game lovers to Central Ohio through Sunday.

• The event started in Baltimore in 1975, but Columbus has served as its home since 1996.

What's inside: Board games, miniatures, roleplaying games, trading cards, music, workshops, performances and more.

• Organizers expect 20,000 attendees and more than 500 exhibitors, plus artists and creators, according to GAMA, the tabletop game association.

A few of more than 9,000 scheduled events:

• The Origins Film Festival, showing independent features and shorts related to gaming, sci-fi and fantasy.
• Cosplay events including a contest, karaoke, parade and charity bar crawl.
• The Tournament of Pieces, a speed puzzling competition.
• The Miniature Painting Open contest.
• The Catan Masters Invitational, featuring top Settlers of Catan players.

📍 If you go: Wednesday-Sunday, with varying hours.

• The convention operates on a badge system granting entry to different events and days.
• A "full show badge" with access to everything is $125.