Sunday, March 9, 2025, Porter County Fairgrounds, Valparaiso, IN
I have been trying to get back to one of Haley and Ben's shows for more than a year but they just don't fit in my schedule. I did one of their South Bend shows more than a year ago and had a great show, so I was thrilled I could finally hit one of their shows again!
I drove up from St. Louis, after setting up at Machinist Hall, and spent the night in New Buffalo, MI, about 40 minutes from Valpo. I had some trouble Sunday morning because I always get confused when I set up in Indiana because part of the state is Central Time and part of the state is Eastern Time. To be safe, I guessed Valpo was Eastern Time. On top of it, Saturday night was daylight saving's time so I lost an hour... then lost another hour because Valpo is Central time. I arrived at the show before sun up!
I peeked into the venue and saw Ben and Haley setting up tables and chairs and maybe one or two vendors setting up. I had already hit McDonald's on my way and decided to get some gas, coffee and sandwich.
I arrived back at the venue around 7:15 a.m., talked with Haley and Ben and loaded in. I observed a huge industrial building billowing smoke behind the venue. Anybody know what that thing is? It kinda looked like a power plant.
I was soon greeted by my pal Dave Frazier, always a site for sore eyes. It was great to hang out with Dave all day. As the morning went on, more and more people that I knew arrived at the show. Bob Lucas was set up behind me. Larry, picturred above, was set up next to me. Mike Slinkman and Orland Eddie were there. Bob and Dale, who I met at the last Schererville show, were there. Bob purchased quite a few cards. Thanks Bob! Lowball Lonnie and a couple of other guys I met at the Lake Stations shows were there. Tony and his lovely wife were there. Man, I sure did feel at home in Valpo, even though it was my first time setting up in this town.
Back on Friday, I figured I would do well in St. Louis and not very well in Valpo. I never learn. Rule Number 24 -- never have any expectations for a card show. Turned out St. Louis was slow and Valpo was great!!
A huge thank you to everyone who purchased cards from me in Valpo!! Special thanks to Dave for sending over the Orioles collector who purchased a ton of cards. Woot!
I was impressed with the number of vintage dealers in the room. Quite a few guys with excellent vintage inventories were set up. One dealer made my day. He purchased a ton of stuff! Thank you!!
On the buying front, I purchased stack of low grade early 1960's commons from Dave. Thank you!
Only downer on the day was that an older guy stole some cards out of my $1 box. He was in the box for a good 40 minutes and did not purchase any cards. At one point, he dropped a stack of cards from my box onto the floor. He never put the cards pack in the box. I was busy, so I could not keep an eye on him and he must have stuck the cards in his folder and walked away. Dave said he stole some cards from him as well. I do remember what he looked like and will keep an eye out for him at future show. I probably lost $10 or $20 worth of cards.
After the show, I went back to my folks' place in New Buffalo because I had to finish watering their plants while they winter in Florida. I ended up falling asleep and did not go home until Monday.
I had a really enjoyable weekend. I spent the next week pricing cards for the Chicago Sports Spectacular which ran from March 14 through 16. Sports Spectacular blogs coming soon.
Next up is another Indiana show in Elkhart on Saturday, March 22, 2025, at the RV Hall of Fame. Then on Sunday, March 23, is the mighty Orland show. Busy, busy, busy.
Next Oak Creek show is April 5. Also, tables are filling up fast for the MegaShow slated for April 19. I am up to 300 tables sold. I should sell out soon. I may end up adding more than 400 tables. Woot!
See you soon!
I have been trying to get back to one of Haley and Ben's shows for more than a year but they just don't fit in my schedule. I did one of their South Bend shows more than a year ago and had a great show, so I was thrilled I could finally hit one of their shows again!
I drove up from St. Louis, after setting up at Machinist Hall, and spent the night in New Buffalo, MI, about 40 minutes from Valpo. I had some trouble Sunday morning because I always get confused when I set up in Indiana because part of the state is Central Time and part of the state is Eastern Time. To be safe, I guessed Valpo was Eastern Time. On top of it, Saturday night was daylight saving's time so I lost an hour... then lost another hour because Valpo is Central time. I arrived at the show before sun up!
I peeked into the venue and saw Ben and Haley setting up tables and chairs and maybe one or two vendors setting up. I had already hit McDonald's on my way and decided to get some gas, coffee and sandwich.
I arrived back at the venue around 7:15 a.m., talked with Haley and Ben and loaded in. I observed a huge industrial building billowing smoke behind the venue. Anybody know what that thing is? It kinda looked like a power plant.
I was soon greeted by my pal Dave Frazier, always a site for sore eyes. It was great to hang out with Dave all day. As the morning went on, more and more people that I knew arrived at the show. Bob Lucas was set up behind me. Larry, picturred above, was set up next to me. Mike Slinkman and Orland Eddie were there. Bob and Dale, who I met at the last Schererville show, were there. Bob purchased quite a few cards. Thanks Bob! Lowball Lonnie and a couple of other guys I met at the Lake Stations shows were there. Tony and his lovely wife were there. Man, I sure did feel at home in Valpo, even though it was my first time setting up in this town.
Back on Friday, I figured I would do well in St. Louis and not very well in Valpo. I never learn. Rule Number 24 -- never have any expectations for a card show. Turned out St. Louis was slow and Valpo was great!!
A huge thank you to everyone who purchased cards from me in Valpo!! Special thanks to Dave for sending over the Orioles collector who purchased a ton of cards. Woot!
I was impressed with the number of vintage dealers in the room. Quite a few guys with excellent vintage inventories were set up. One dealer made my day. He purchased a ton of stuff! Thank you!!
On the buying front, I purchased stack of low grade early 1960's commons from Dave. Thank you!
Only downer on the day was that an older guy stole some cards out of my $1 box. He was in the box for a good 40 minutes and did not purchase any cards. At one point, he dropped a stack of cards from my box onto the floor. He never put the cards pack in the box. I was busy, so I could not keep an eye on him and he must have stuck the cards in his folder and walked away. Dave said he stole some cards from him as well. I do remember what he looked like and will keep an eye out for him at future show. I probably lost $10 or $20 worth of cards.
After the show, I went back to my folks' place in New Buffalo because I had to finish watering their plants while they winter in Florida. I ended up falling asleep and did not go home until Monday.
I had a really enjoyable weekend. I spent the next week pricing cards for the Chicago Sports Spectacular which ran from March 14 through 16. Sports Spectacular blogs coming soon.
Next up is another Indiana show in Elkhart on Saturday, March 22, 2025, at the RV Hall of Fame. Then on Sunday, March 23, is the mighty Orland show. Busy, busy, busy.
Next Oak Creek show is April 5. Also, tables are filling up fast for the MegaShow slated for April 19. I am up to 300 tables sold. I should sell out soon. I may end up adding more than 400 tables. Woot!
See you soon!
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