Spring, and the location is different each year. 2017 it was held in Colorado, and next year it'll be in Idaho.
There's also a continental Europe party, held last year in Norway, a Britain & Ireland one, in Scotland this year, North America Fall Ball, in Michigan this year, and JordanCon, in...
Ooooo, swordsmanship. Haven't done that, but staff kata were so fun. I bet if you stick around and go to Anni you'd dominate the annual sword fight. :P
Welcome! What martial art do you practice? I dabbled in shudokan karate for awhile, just a few belt advancements but it was such great exercise and community!