What is new for Northwoods Drifter in 2026
Every March, something special happens in Rothschild. Gamers, cosplayers, and families from across central Wisconsin gather for a weekend that’s become one of the region’s most anticipated events.
Evercon 2026 packed the Central Wisconsin Convention and Expo Center from March 6-8 with board games, video consoles, and more dice rolls than you could count.
The convention aimed to draw over 2,500 attendees this year — a solid jump from last year’s 2,000-plus crowd.
Twenty-five years ago, Evercon started as something much smaller.
Christian Ammon and the D.C. Everest Gaming Club hosted a mini convention right in the school. Word spread, dice bags multiplied, and soon they were bursting at the seams.
“They had so many people that they just couldn’t use the space anymore,” said Brent Zastrow, one of Evercon’s co-owners.
The move to the 70,000-square-foot expo center in Rothschild gave the convention room to breathe. Now the event sprawls across multiple gaming areas with 350 different games and 120 gaming consoles set up for anyone to play.
Co-owner Matt Pijan summed it up pretty well: “This is one of the best gigs, I get to work with my best friends and just throw a party every year for 2,000 people.”
That party atmosphere sets Evercon apart from bigger, corporate conventions.
“It’s all about just getting together, playing games and having fun.” — Brent Zastrow, Evercon co-owner
The event welcomes everyone, from kids rolling their first d20 to veteran tabletop strategists. You’ll find families testing new board games, cosplayers showing off handmade costumes, and tournament players battling for bragging rights.
Special guests add another layer. This year featured Douglas Rice, an artist who worked on the animated show “Animaniacs.” He emphasized supporting what you love: “Important that people really enjoy the things that they are attracted to. You should support them.”
Evercon does more than entertain — it gives back.
Each year, students from the D.C. Everest Gaming Club pick a charity to support. The 2026 convention raised funds for Wisconsin Lions Camp, an organization helping people with disabilities experience summer camp, recreation, and community.
It’s a reminder that gaming communities build something bigger than high scores. They build connections that matter.
For Rothschild and nearby Wausau, Evercon brings more than entertainment.
Thousands of visitors fill hotels, restaurants, and gas stations. Local businesses see a welcome boost during the early March weekend when winter’s still hanging on but spring’s not quite here yet.
The convention also puts central Wisconsin on the map for gaming culture. While Madison and Milwaukee dominate most headlines, events like Evercon show that community and passion thrive in smaller cities too.
Co-owners like Zastrow and Pijan are local folks who built something special. They’re not corporate event planners parachuting in — they’re gamers throwing a party for their neighbors.
Evercon runs just once a year, always the first weekend of March.
That annual rhythm creates anticipation. Regulars mark their calendars months out, plan their costumes, and prep their game strategies.
As the convention continues growing, it faces the good problem of success: how big can it get before losing that community feel that makes it special? For now, the focus stays on bringing people together for shared joy.
Whether you’re deep into tabletop RPGs, video game tournaments, or just curious about cosplay, Evercon offers a weekend where your hobbies aren’t niche — they’re celebrated. And in the Northwoods region where winter can feel long, that March gathering provides something we all need: connection, laughter, and a reminder that play matters at every age.
Next year’s convention will roll the dice again in early March. Keep an eye on Evercon’s website for dates and details as 2027 approaches.
Written by
Mike has been coming up or living in the Northwoods since his childhood. He is also an avid outdoorsman, writer and supper club aficionado.
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