Our Next Adventure: Ed Fife to Lead DnD Fest!
Hi everyone!
We have some important and exciting news to share with all of you. When we started the DnD Fest as a bit of an experiment over a decade ago, we never imagined it would become such a beloved tradition. Thanks to all of you, it’s grown into an event that people look forward to every year and plan their vacations around. It’s a bittersweet moment, as Pam and I will be retiring from the event. We wanted to make sure the DnD Fest continues in the hands of someone who understands its spirit and will carry its traditions forward. We’re thrilled to share that Ed Fife, who has been with us since the very beginning, will be taking over the reins of the DnD Fest! The event will continue in the same place and timeframe next year, with Ed at the helm and capable hands.
Pam and I also want to take a moment to thank all of the incredible DMs and NPCs over the years who have made the DnD Fest so successful. We’d also like to thank every attendee, past, present, and future. You really are an amazing community, and your support over the years has meant everything. Your continued participation is what keeps the DnD Fest strong and growing. A very special thank-you goes out to Pam, who’s been the heart and soul alongside me in making this journey so special. Her great ideas, organizational skills, and creativity have shaped the event in ways that go far beyond what most people see. I truly couldn’t have done it without her, and I’m deeply grateful for everything she’s contributed.
Ed brings deep knowledge of the event and a strong sense of what makes the DnD Fest special. He’s thoughtful, organized, and committed to keeping the core experience intact while continuing to build on it. His imagination and years of experience with D&D will just add to what we have already built. We’re confident that the community and the event are in good hands.
One more thing: while Pam and I are retiring from running the DnD Fest, I’ll still have a pinky-finger level of involvement with the lore and the stories you love. In fact, you might see some new tales or even a novel related to the world of Elladra coming out in the (hopefully) near future. And who knows, you might spot Pam and me as NPCs again someday or maybe even at a gaming table on the player side of things. So, while we won't be organizing next year, we'll still be cheering everything on and staying connected to the world we’ve all built together.
Running the DnD Fest has been really fun to be part of over the years. It combines a lot of what I enjoy: storytelling, world-building, collaboration, problem-solving, building strange props, and campy skits. At the end of the day, it's a really good excuse to throw a four-day party with 125 friends we wouldn’t otherwise have met, and this part of the experiment definitely worked. It wasn't always easy, but it was worth the effort for sure. Retiring from the event wasn't a decision we made lightly, but the timing feels right, and we’re excited to see how it grows in new hands.
As we pass the torch to Ed, we want to assure you that the festival will continue in the same location and timeframe next year. While he will bring in fresh ideas, the spirit and traditions you love will stay the same. So, let's talk about what's coming up next for all of you. We’ll be continuing the second year of the campaign, Tales of the Forest Inn, and the DnD Fest will be held from Thursday, September 10th, through Sunday, September 13th, 2026, the week right after Labor Day. We'll still be using D&D Beyond to manage everything, since that worked well for everyone. Just keep an eye on the website for updates, and we’ll make sure you have all the info you need.
Just as a heads-up, Ed will also be fine-tuning some of the team structure and NPC roles in the months to come. There might be a few changes here and there to make sure everything runs smoothly and that each role is the right fit. He’ll be communicating any updates as we get closer, so stay tuned for more details and rest assured he’s focused on making the event the best it can be.
We can’t wait to see how the adventure continues, and we know the DnD Fest is in great hands with Ed. Thanks again for being part of this incredible journey with us.
Thanks for walking this road with us!
Sincerely,
Dan and Pam Mazur