The Host Files: From Nococon To Can-Am Speedway

Fresh off the energy and excitement of NoCoCon, Skills Murder Mysteries didn’t have much time to catch its breath before diving into the next community opportunity: the NoCoCon & Anchor Con Invasion at Can-Am Speedway. This free, vendor-only event was just a short drive from home in LaFargeville, NY. And though it was just a few hours long, it marked another milestone on the path of growth for our little mystery brand.

Chasing opportunity close to home

Ashley registered for the event the weekend prior, after learning she'd be off from her primary job early enough to attend. The chance to vend locally, for free, and continue the momentum from NoCoCon was too good to pass up. Even if the racing crowd wasn’t exactly our usual mystery-loving demographic, the possibility of connecting with new faces and local organizations made it worth the effort.

Unlike our large convention setup, this one called for a bit of strategic downsizing. Without electricity, a backdrop, or a photo booth, we focused on the essentials. One 8-foot table, themed props, and our QR-code product displays made the cut. Our Detective’s Journals took center stage, positioned to catch the eye and spark curiosity.

Weathering the elements

The forecast had been hit or miss all week, but the clouds parted just in time. The sun shone down on a beautiful day in the 70s—perfect weather for races, vendors, and outdoor mingling. That said, it was breezy. Really breezy.

Business cards, catalogs, even the sturdy Detective’s Journals threatened to launch off the table like paper airplanes. Props tumbled, decor shifted, and things that sat neatly indoors at NoCoCon suddenly needed anchoring. Enter the real MVPs: fellow vendors generously offered gaffer tape to keep everything grounded. While the tape ended up ruining some of our printed catalogs and decorative evidence markers, those were due to be reprinted soon anyway, so the loss felt minimal.

Moments that matter

Despite the challenges, the people made the day a win. Several visitors stopped by to learn about what we do and how murder mystery events can bring something fresh and fun to their gatherings.

One older gentleman shared that he and his wife host regular parties at their home, and said our games sounded like the perfect fit for their next get-together.

Two women saw potential in our mysteries as a creative fundraiser idea for their local fire department.

And perhaps most heartwarming of all, a group recognized us from a previous Skills Murder Mysteries event. They were thrilled to see us again and excited about the Detective’s Journal—something they helped inspire by taking meticulous notes at the game they attended.

We left the speedway with more cards in new hands, more local awareness about what we offer, and more reason to keep going. It may not have been a grand, sprawling event, but it was real, rooted, and filled with possibility.

The small wins stack up

Every booth, every chat, every gust of wind that threatened to scatter our table—it all added up to another step forward. Being able to introduce Skills Murder Mysteries to folks in our own backyard meant everything. And while we didn’t run any games that evening, what we did do was continue to build a presence, one meaningful interaction at a time.

The Can-Am Speedway event wasn’t about fanfare. It was about foundations. About continuing to show up, say yes to the invite, and keep the mystery alive—whether it’s at a full-blown convention or alongside a race track on a breezy summer day.