I'm not new to the game, but it's recently become one of my favorites, and I'm starting to make more friends who play it. I'd love to go to a fellowship event near me, but I'm going away to college this year. When does the event usually occur?

Different stores have them anywhere between late fall to the first month or two of the new year. I'd anticipate December.

Awesome! I'll try talking to my FLGS about doing it over December!