Sunday, September 10, 2023, Kane County Fairgrounds, St. Charles, IL
As a rule, I rarely set up at a new show. I like the show to grow a following before I venture out. I made an exception to my rule and set up at the first show at the Kane County Fairgrounds. I broke the rule because I like promoters John and Mike. They currently operate the Janesville and Loves Park shows and always do an excellent job.
Though, I originally only booked one table because I was a little nervous about whether anyone would attend. Mike convinced me to take two and I am glad I did. This sure did not look like a first show as it was mobbed with customers and vendors. Kudos to John and Mike!
I am very familiar with the area having been to the fairgrounds many times along with the two court houses that border the fairgrounds. Though, somehow, I missed the entrance and drove by it in the morning, having to U-Turn and double back. I followed the card show signs until I arrived at the building housing the show.
Easy load in. I was happy to see that my tables were located next to my pals Gary George and Dave McDonald. I brought out all of my baseball binders, half of my football binders and all of my basketball binders. I had just enough stuff to fill two 8-foot tables.
Beautiful venue. We had a nice crowd early on and it continued up until noon as folks started to head off to watch the opening Sunday of the NFL season. I am a Bears fan and thought they might have a shot at the Packers who were without future HOFer Aaron Rodgers for the first time in nearly 20 years.
Yet I was not drinking all the Kool aide the local media was spewing. I knew the Bears did not have an offensive line and much of a defense. I also don't like the fact that they did not resign running back David Montgomery. Other things working against the Bears are the lousy owners, the GM and the coach. The Bears will never be good again as long as a McCaskey is running the show. Wish they would sell the team.
Anyway, back to the card show. Gary grabbed me some much-needed coffee from the concession stand. Thanks Gary! They were supposed to have doughnuts. Gary and I kept checking but gave up after a while.
There was a lot of activity at my tables all morning. Unfortunately, I just did not have the cards people were looking for as I am desperately behind on reloading the binders. I recently reloaded the 1970 Topps to include two binders this time around. No one was interested in '70 Topps, they wanted '72's which is empty. Not sure when I'll get a chance to reload the '72's, I really need to find the time.
As a result, sales were not every good which is totally my fault. The customers were there and I just did not have the goods. I should have brought out display cases but I have gotten a little bored with them as I have been doing display cases since July.
On the buying front, I picked up some mid-1970's hockey. Wish I had brought out my hockey binders as several folks asked for hockey. I also had a guy looking for a Doug Buffone but my 1970's era football binders are empty. For the first time ever, I had a request for Joe Decker. The only Joe Decker card that comes to mind is 1971 Topps, and, of course, that binder is empty. I missed out on a big 25-cent sale with that one.
Gary and I observed a couple of older guys who appeared to be offering some nice vintage sets for sale. They spent some time with a couple of dealers set up on the other side of Dave. I have seen these dealers before as customers but never have observed them set up until this show. They had really good stuff. My pal Jason Galleske purchased a 1951 Bowman Willie Mays rookie from them.
So I saw the dealers take some photos of the older guys' collection but no transaction occurred. The older guys walked by my table while I was engulfed in a conversation with a customer about 1968 Topps. I wanted to chase them down but did not get the opportunity. They had some good stuff like 1951 Topps Blue Backs and early 1950's Bowman baseball sets. Opportunity missed!
Oh well. I then went outside to get some tacos from the food truck. Tacos were excellent!
Overall, I was really pleased with the traffic at my tables and at the show in general. I can see this show turning into something awesome. I'll definitely be at the next one scheduled for December 16.
Load out was easy as was the drive home. I arrived home in time to catch the second quarter of the Bears-Packers game. I should have stayed away from home as it was a typical Bears-Packers game with the Bears being crushed. New Packers quarterback, same result. When are the McCaskey's going to sell the team!!
Oh well. I don't think I am going to watch the Bears get crushed by the Chiefs next weekend. I will watch the other games instead to get my football fix.
I have a double bill weekend coming up with the Woodstock show on Saturday and Orland on Sunday. I just finished loading up some 1952 Bowman baseball. I also have some 1951 Topps Magic football. I am working on reloading 1965 Topps baseball which will take a few weeks to finish up.
I plan on bringing binders again this coming weekend. I'll probably pause the '65 reload in favor of some things I can fill up quickly. So I should have a bunch of new stuff ready to go by this weekend.
Next Oak Creek show is on Saturday, October 7, 2023. I am expecting another full house of dealers and 180 tables. Once again there will be 20 to 30 different vendors with vintage along with a ton of modern dealers and Pokémon, which is seemingly crazy popular.
A big thank you to John and Mike for putting on a great show in St. Charles. Also, thank you to everyone who stopped by my tables. Hope to see you all this weekend in Woodstock and Orland!
Below is another photo of the Kane County show along with a photo of Jason's newly purchased Willie Mays.
As a rule, I rarely set up at a new show. I like the show to grow a following before I venture out. I made an exception to my rule and set up at the first show at the Kane County Fairgrounds. I broke the rule because I like promoters John and Mike. They currently operate the Janesville and Loves Park shows and always do an excellent job.
Though, I originally only booked one table because I was a little nervous about whether anyone would attend. Mike convinced me to take two and I am glad I did. This sure did not look like a first show as it was mobbed with customers and vendors. Kudos to John and Mike!
I am very familiar with the area having been to the fairgrounds many times along with the two court houses that border the fairgrounds. Though, somehow, I missed the entrance and drove by it in the morning, having to U-Turn and double back. I followed the card show signs until I arrived at the building housing the show.
Easy load in. I was happy to see that my tables were located next to my pals Gary George and Dave McDonald. I brought out all of my baseball binders, half of my football binders and all of my basketball binders. I had just enough stuff to fill two 8-foot tables.
Beautiful venue. We had a nice crowd early on and it continued up until noon as folks started to head off to watch the opening Sunday of the NFL season. I am a Bears fan and thought they might have a shot at the Packers who were without future HOFer Aaron Rodgers for the first time in nearly 20 years.
Yet I was not drinking all the Kool aide the local media was spewing. I knew the Bears did not have an offensive line and much of a defense. I also don't like the fact that they did not resign running back David Montgomery. Other things working against the Bears are the lousy owners, the GM and the coach. The Bears will never be good again as long as a McCaskey is running the show. Wish they would sell the team.
Anyway, back to the card show. Gary grabbed me some much-needed coffee from the concession stand. Thanks Gary! They were supposed to have doughnuts. Gary and I kept checking but gave up after a while.
There was a lot of activity at my tables all morning. Unfortunately, I just did not have the cards people were looking for as I am desperately behind on reloading the binders. I recently reloaded the 1970 Topps to include two binders this time around. No one was interested in '70 Topps, they wanted '72's which is empty. Not sure when I'll get a chance to reload the '72's, I really need to find the time.
As a result, sales were not every good which is totally my fault. The customers were there and I just did not have the goods. I should have brought out display cases but I have gotten a little bored with them as I have been doing display cases since July.
On the buying front, I picked up some mid-1970's hockey. Wish I had brought out my hockey binders as several folks asked for hockey. I also had a guy looking for a Doug Buffone but my 1970's era football binders are empty. For the first time ever, I had a request for Joe Decker. The only Joe Decker card that comes to mind is 1971 Topps, and, of course, that binder is empty. I missed out on a big 25-cent sale with that one.
Gary and I observed a couple of older guys who appeared to be offering some nice vintage sets for sale. They spent some time with a couple of dealers set up on the other side of Dave. I have seen these dealers before as customers but never have observed them set up until this show. They had really good stuff. My pal Jason Galleske purchased a 1951 Bowman Willie Mays rookie from them.
So I saw the dealers take some photos of the older guys' collection but no transaction occurred. The older guys walked by my table while I was engulfed in a conversation with a customer about 1968 Topps. I wanted to chase them down but did not get the opportunity. They had some good stuff like 1951 Topps Blue Backs and early 1950's Bowman baseball sets. Opportunity missed!
Oh well. I then went outside to get some tacos from the food truck. Tacos were excellent!
Overall, I was really pleased with the traffic at my tables and at the show in general. I can see this show turning into something awesome. I'll definitely be at the next one scheduled for December 16.
Load out was easy as was the drive home. I arrived home in time to catch the second quarter of the Bears-Packers game. I should have stayed away from home as it was a typical Bears-Packers game with the Bears being crushed. New Packers quarterback, same result. When are the McCaskey's going to sell the team!!
Oh well. I don't think I am going to watch the Bears get crushed by the Chiefs next weekend. I will watch the other games instead to get my football fix.
I have a double bill weekend coming up with the Woodstock show on Saturday and Orland on Sunday. I just finished loading up some 1952 Bowman baseball. I also have some 1951 Topps Magic football. I am working on reloading 1965 Topps baseball which will take a few weeks to finish up.
I plan on bringing binders again this coming weekend. I'll probably pause the '65 reload in favor of some things I can fill up quickly. So I should have a bunch of new stuff ready to go by this weekend.
Next Oak Creek show is on Saturday, October 7, 2023. I am expecting another full house of dealers and 180 tables. Once again there will be 20 to 30 different vendors with vintage along with a ton of modern dealers and Pokémon, which is seemingly crazy popular.
A big thank you to John and Mike for putting on a great show in St. Charles. Also, thank you to everyone who stopped by my tables. Hope to see you all this weekend in Woodstock and Orland!
Below is another photo of the Kane County show along with a photo of Jason's newly purchased Willie Mays.
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