Image via Crazy Squirrel

There’s a table-top game convention in Indianapolis this weekend, do you want to go?

Crazy Squirrel Game Store in Fresno is one of only 48 locations worldwide to participate in Gen Con’s first satellite pop-up for what they call the largest table-top board game convention in the world.

“I’ve worked hard at making sure we’re the best experiential game store in Fresno and Clovis, with about 2,000 square feet of retail and about the same for gaming space,” said Jennifer Ward, owner of Crazy Squirrel. Only three stores in California were selected, including Ward’s. The others are in Berkeley and Sacramento. She credits her reputation among game distributors as a reason she was chosen to host the event.

People who want to participate can purchase tickets through Gen Con for $5. The event starts Thursday and ends Sunday. So when the 65,000 expected attendees are playing games such as Mental Blocks, Pathfinder Second Edition, We’re Doomed! or Dungeons & Dragons in Indianapolis, players who don’t want to pony up for the plane ticket can play along.

“This satellite program makes it easier for gamers to get in on the excitement of all of the new game releases from the comfort of their hometown instead of having to travel to Indiana,” Ward said. Participants get early access to games premiering at the event and raffle tickets, as well as options to pre-order games.

“Our ticket sales are going great,” Ward said. Gen Con originally only offered 50 tickets per store, but some stores were selected to expand to 75. Ward says they are almost sold out.

The convention comes at the same time that Crazy Squirrel moved from Bullard Avenue and First Street to 7711 N. First St. They opened to 4,750 square feet, up from 4,250 square feet.

At the end of the four-day adventure, Ward will have their grand re-opening to coincide with the last day of gameplay. They’ll continue to host game nights and events nearly everyday, much as they did at their older location, said Ward.

They host homeschoolers twice a month for their event “gameschooling.” They also work with the Fresno County Library on events.

Crazy Squirrel Games opened in October 2010 on Bullard Avenue. They are open seven days a week. A full list of events can be found at their Facebook page.

This story was corrected to show the square footage at Crazy Squirrel Game Store at 4,250 square feet.