We arrived again from Hawaii within the morning on Friday, June 21, 2024. I slept all day. I used to be in a daze once I set my alarm clock Friday night time. I assumed I set it for five a.m. however awakened Saturday at 6 a.m., no alarm. Seems I set the alarm for five p.m., not 5 a.m. Ugh!
It takes me a superb hour to prepare which incorporates loading my bins of playing cards into the automobile. I hustled and was on the highway to Madison at 6:45 a.m. It’s a two-hour drive from my home in Illinois to Madison. Present begins at 9 a.m. I used to be resigned to be late which is so unlucky as a result of final month I used to be early and had probably the most nice arrange — that may not be the case this month.
I truly made fairly good time and arrived on the lodge round 8:35 a.m. I ought to have worn a hat as a result of it was raining throughout load in. My playing cards are protected by plastic bins however there was nothing to cease the rain from hitting my bald head. I stuffed my glasses in my pocket.
I introduced out many of the binders this morning. New this month was 1972-73 Topps basketball. I didn’t convey any basketball out final month. As an alternative, I introduced hockey, which I left at dwelling this month.
As quickly as I began inserting binders on the tables, clients began to reach. I needed to chase them away. I would like the entrance of my tables free of consumers so I can lay out the binders. Of us didn’t appear to grasp and saved coming, inhibiting my potential to arrange! It was extraordinarily irritating.
I’ve three tables at this present. I positioned out all the baseball and basketball binders on the primary two tables then got down to place the soccer binders on the third desk. At that time, the floodgates opened and I couldn’t cease folks from attacking the baseball binders. I simply ignored them whereas I will completed inserting out the soccer binders.
I checked the time as soon as I accomplished arrange — it was 9 a.m. I used to be form of proud that I had every thing arrange by the opening bell regardless of my late arrival and the hordes that may not enable me arrange. I’ll make sure you set my alarm for five a.m., not 5 p.m., for the July present!!
Of us arriving early to exhibits is an enormous downside. I might recognize it a lot if clients arrived as soon as the present formally opened and never earlier than.
Anyway, the Madison present brings out the classic set builders, and to a person, all of them arrive within the morning. My tables are at all times crowded earlier than midday. Afternoon, tumbleweeds.
A number of of the early birds, who blocked my potential to arrange, didn’t buy any playing cards. Irritating. A father and daughter staff, that got here by my tables three or 4 occasions whereas I used to be organising, ultimately settled in and bought a number of massive piles of playing cards. Good people. I simply want they’d not arrive so early!
Quickly there was a wall of individuals at my tables together with my native soccer man, Tom, Ken, Rod, Ben, and the 2 brothers who’ve been engaged on 1956 Topps baseball for the final a number of months. I offered fairly a number of playing cards within the morning. Not fairly as many as final month however nonetheless fairly good.
On the shopping for entrance, Rod offered me a pleasant pile of 1955 Bowman baseball. Thanks Rod!
Usually, I stick round till 2 or 3 p.m. however there have been stories of a nasty thunderstorm heading our method and I packed up at 1 p.m. in an effort to get out of dodge earlier than the storm arrived.
No such luck! I spent the primary 45 minutes of my drive dwelling caught in a torrential downpour made worse by heavy site visitors and vehicles kicking up spray. It was a scary trip. I attempted to stay to the sluggish lane and was going about 40 MPH as a result of I might barely see out of my windshield. Others zoomed by on my left kicking up spray. The rain stopped as soon as I reached Rockford and had a a lot simpler trip the remainder of the best way dwelling.
This was a double-bill weekend with Orland on Sunday. Orland weblog coming quickly.
Subsequent Oak Creek present is July 6. As traditional, I’ve a full home, no extra vendor area out there. I’m additionally painfully behind answering all my messages. Hope to get to everyone quickly.
Previous to Oak Creek, I will likely be organising on the DuPage County Fairgrounds on June 29 in Wheaton, IL. The present is operated by the Premier Cardshow guys who at all times do a wonderful job. This will likely be their first present in Wheaton and I’m not positive what to convey out. I’m going to convey out two show instances of classic graded playing cards. I’m actually not anticipating too many set builders so I have no idea but if I’ll convey out the binders. I’m engaged on the 1967 Topps baseball binder however do not suppose I will have it prepared by Saturday. I’d simply convey out extra show instances of classic uncooked star playing cards. What do you guys suppose I ought to convey out?
Anyway, there was an enormous crowd on the Madison present, as traditional. Listed below are some images:
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