Monday, October 26, 2020


ROLLS, FLOATS & FLYS - Sunday, October 27, 2019

Hobbyvendor will be at the Rolls, Floats & Flys Hobby Show tomorrow - October 27, 2019. The show is at a new location, and it's a much better facility for presenting the show. Over this past summer, Herb Deeks showed me the new venue. It is quite a step up, and will provide both vendors and attendees alike a much better hobby show experience. The new location has many advantages that the former location did not provide. The Vendor's Hall is much larger, and much easier access for all vendors. One of the best things I like about the Deeks show is the excellent organization, and the large open space in the bay area for vendors. Much ample space for parking, and vendor's entry is right outside the vendor's parking area. I'm thinking this new venue is really going to work out well for the Rolls, Floats & Flys Hobby Show, and wishing the best for the Rolls, Floats & Flys Hobby Show.

Sunday, February 9, 2020

Hobby Show Events for 2019

Below is a list of Hobby Show events that are scheduled (mostly) in the Southern California area for the year 2019.  This year's event listings will be separated into categories, which will include a separate listing for the other California (Northern) and out of state.  The categories will be: plastic model kits, model railroad, RC and Miscellaneous. Misc. listing is for toy, die cast and hobby related book events.  Will not include events for Crafts, Stamp & Coins or Gun Shows.

Any hobby clubs/organizations or hobby event organizers that specialize in: model kits (plastic, wood, paper), model railroading or RC is welcome to submit a flyer and event information to hobbyvendor.blogspot.com for posting.  Please use email link or hobbyvendor@gmail.com or hobbyvendor@outlook.com

If you are a hobby shop owner and organize a model contest and/or vendor show, you are also welcome to submit event information for posting.

Model Kit Shows in the SoCal area

1. January 20, 2019 (Saturday) - Brewer Brothers Model Kit, Hobby & Toy Expo
   Show Hrs:  9AM to 3PM
   Location:  Old World Village in the German Beer Hall & Restaurant.  7561 Center Ave. Suite 
   #49 Huntington Beach, CA. 92647
   Contact:  Chris Brewer at modelkitexpo@gmail.com or Phone: 562-569-2509
   Link:  Brewer Bros. Model Kit, Hobby and Toy Expo 

2. February 24, 2019 (Sunday) - Ventura Hobbies Presents ModelFest 2019 Model Contest 
    & SWAP Meet
   Show Hrs:  8:30AM to 3PM
   Location:  Camarillo Airport at the CAF/Southern California Wing, 455 Aviation Drive Camarillo, 
   CA. 93010
   Contact:  Vern at Ventura Hobbies 805-658-8138   Email: contact@venturahobbies.com  
   Link:  ModelFest 2019 Model Contest and SWAP Meet 

3. March 3, 2019 (Sunday) - George Creed Presents: Valley Con 2019 "An Old Fashion 
   Model Contest and Vending Show"
   Show Hrs:  9AM to 4PM
   Location:  NOTE: New Location - Pasadena Convention Center, 300 East Greene Street, 
   Pasadena, CA. 91101
   Contact:  George Creed at pasadenamodeler@aol.com  
   Link:  Valley Con 2019 Model Contest and Vendor Show  

4. March 10, 2019 (Sunday) - Kit Collectors Exposition & Sale
   Show Hrs:  9AM to 3PM
   Location:  City of Garden Grove Community Center, 11300 Stanford Avenue, Garden Grove, 
   CA. 92840
   Contact:  Diane Mitich 714-468-0537   Email:  kitcollectorsshow@yahoo.com
   Link:  Kit Collectors Exposition and Sale  

5. April 28, 2019 (Sunday) - Herb Deeks Presents: Rolls, Floats and Flys  
   Show Hrs:  9AM to 3PM
   Location:  Howard Johnson Hotel, 222 W. Houston Ave., Fullerton, CA. 92832
   Contact:  Herb Deeks at 714-774-7326 (Call between 8AM - 9PM)
   Link: Rolls Floats and Flys  

6. May 5, 2019 (Sunday) - SoCal Open Model Car Show, Present by Laski Scale 
   Specialties (model car detail parts) 
   Show Hrs:  8AM to 3PM
   Location:  Rancho San Antonio Boys Home Gymnasium - 21000 Plummer Street, 
   Chatsworth, CA. 91311
   Contact:  Art Laski at 951-233-5276   Email: laskiscale@earthlink.net  
   Link:  SoCal Open Model Car Show  
   NOTE: There is also a vendor's area incorporated with the contest show.
  
7. May 19, 2019 (Saturday) - Brewer Brothers Model Kit, Hobby & Toy Expo
   Show Hrs:  9AM to 3PM
   Location:  Old World Village in the German Beer Hall & Restaurant.  7561 Center Ave. Suite 
   #49 Huntington Beach, CA. 92647
   Contact:  Chris Brewer at modelkitexpo@gmail.com or Phone: 562-569-2509
   Link:  Brewer Bros. Model Kit, Hobby and Toy Expo 

8. June 1, 2019 (Saturday) - Kit, Model and Aviation Collectible and SWAP Meet  
   This event combines the Kit, Model & Aviation Collectible & SWAP Meet show with the
   2019 San Diego Model Expo Contest & SWAP Meet Model Contest hosted by IPMS SD
    (IPMS San Diego) and San Diego Model Car Club.
   Show Hrs:  Model Contest 8AM to 3PM (Model Registration: 9AM to 12PM)
                      Vendor's Sales / SWAP Meet: 8AM to 1PM
   Location:  San Diego Air & Space Museum Annex, Gillespie Field, 335 Kenney Street, El Cajon
                    CA. 92020
   Contact:  Tony Beres's Email:  tberes@sdasm.org  
   Link:  Kit, Model & Aviation Collectible & SWAP Meet - 2019 Flyer  

9. July 14, 2019 (Sunday) - Kit Collectors Exposition & Sale 
   Show Hrs:  9AM to 3PM
   Location:  City of Garden Grove Community Center, 11300 Stanford Avenue, Garden Grove, 
                   CA. 92840
   Contact:  Diane Mitich 714-468-0537   Email:  kitcollectorsshow@yahoo.com
   Link:  Kit Collectors Exposition and Sale  

10. August 18, 2019 (Sunday) - Brewer Brothers Model Kit, Hobby & Toy Expo
      Show Hrs.:  9AM to 3PM
      Location:  Old World Village in the German Beer Hall & Restaurant.  7561 Center Ave. Suite 
      #49 Huntington Beach, CA. 92647
      Contact:  Chris Brewer at modelkitexpo@gmail.com or Phone: 562-569-2509
      Link:  Brewer Bros. Model Kit, Hobby & Toy Expo  

11.  October 12, 2019 (Saturday) - Orange Con 2019 - Model Contest & Vendor Fair 
       Show Hrs.: 9AM to 5PM - See Show Flyer for Additional Information/Schedule
       Location: NEW LOCATION: Hotel Fullerton Anaheim, 1500 South Raymond Ave.
       Fullerton, CA 92831 (Raymond Ave. between Commonwealth & Orangethrope) 
       Contact:  IPMS OC Website  
       Link:  IPMS OC OrangeCon 2019 Flyer  

12.  October 26, 2019 (Saturday) - Desert Classic XXIII - Model Contest & Vendor Show
       Presented by: IPMS AVG (Antelope Valley Group)
       Show Hrs.:  9AM to 4:30PM - See Show Flyer for Show Schedule
       Location:  Antelope Valley College, 3041 W. Avenue K, Lancaster, CA. Event held in the 
       Student Cafeteria Area.
       Contact:  Curtis Stidham at cbstidham@sbcglobal.net  
       Link:  IPMS AVG - Desert Classic XXIII Contest Flyer  

13.  October 27, 2019 (Sunday) - Rolls Floats & Flys Hobby Show
       Show Hrs.: 9AM to 2:30PM (NOTE: NEW SHOW HRS)
       Location:  NEW LOCATION:  Holiday Inn, 7000 Beach Blvd., Buena Park, CA. 90620
       Contact:  Herb Deeks @ (714) 774-7326 Call Between 8AM - 9PM
       Link:  Rolls - Floats - Flys - Show - Flyer 

14.  November 1-3, 2019 (Friday, Saturday, Sunday) - AMA EXPO WEST 2019
       Show Hrs.:  AMA EXPO WEST 2019 Show Schedule  
       Location: Fairplex Exposition Center, Pomona, CA.
       Link:  AMA EXPO WEST 2019 
       NOTE: This Event is Primarily Features RC Models - Aircraft, Cars, Boats

15.  November 3, 2019 (Sunday) - The Model Car Guys in conjunction w/NHRA Motorsports
       Museum Present:  "Spirit of Speed 5" Model Car Show & SWAP Meet. 
       Show Hrs.: 10AM - 5PM
       Location:  NHRA Motorsports Museum, Fairplex Gate 1, 1101 McKinley Ave., Pomona, CA 
       91768
       Contact:  Scott Hess at: sf_hess@hotmail.com 
                       Ron Ramsey at: nastalga1320@hotmail.com 

16.  November 17, 2019 (Sunday) - Kit Collectors Exposition & Sale
       Show Hrs.:  9AM - 3PM
       Location:  City of Garden Grove Community Center, 11300 Stanford Ave., Garden Grove, 
       CA. 92840
       Contact:  Diana Mitich (714) 468-0537
       Link:  Kit Collectors Exposition & Sale


 
 Model Kit & Contest Shows in the NorCal area  

1. January 26, 2019 (Saturday) - NNL West, "Non-Competitive Event"  or 
    Display Show for Model Car Builders + Large Area for Vendors
    Show Hrs:  9AM to 4PM
    Location:  The Santa Clara Convention Center, 5001 Great America Parkway, 
    Santa Clara, CA. 95054 (Northern California)
    Contact:  NNL-West Contact Address and Emails  
    Links:  For Show Info. 
    NNL Flyer:  2019 NNL Show Flyer   

2. February 16, 2019 (Saturday) - IPMS Sacramento Presents: SilverCon 2019 

    Show Hrs:  9AM to 4:30PM
    Location:  Town & Country Lutheran Church, 4049 Marconi Ave., Sacramento, 
                     CA.  95821
    Contact:  Eddie Andres at 916-690-0672      Email:  ejandres@hotmail.com  
    Links: SilverCon 2019 Contest Information      
    Contest Flyer:  SilverCon 2019

3. March 16, 2019 (Saturday) - Silicon Valley Classic VI (Region 9 - Far West)

    Presented by: IPMS Silicon Valley Scale Modelers
    Show Hrs:  9AM to 5PM
    Location:  Napredak Hall - 770 Montague Expwy, San Jose, CA. 95131
    Contact:  Mike Woolson at 510-914-7376      Email:  swingwingklvk@gmail.com
    Website:  IPMS/Silicon Valley Scale Modelers
                  
   
   

Saturday, February 8, 2020

Hobby Show Flyers for 2019


To Better View Flyers in Larger Format:

*Desktop/Laptop computer - Right click on image, and select "Open link in new tab", and left click to zoom image (flyer).

**Mobile Device - Tap on image to expand or zoom image.
































Updated: Friday, May 24, 2019 @ 7PM (PST)

Thursday, August 29, 2019

No Shows After 2020. . .for hobbyvendor

For over twenty years now, hobbyvendor has been attending and supporting local hobby shows and events throughout the Southern California area.  Many hobby kits, decals and detail parts were traded to hundreds of customers over the years, many who became regular buyers at the shows.

After careful consideration, hobbyvendor will be phasing out participation as a vendor at all hobby shows in the Orange County, San Diego and LA after 2020.  Many indicators for the last few years have been a determinate factor showing that stand alone hobby shows (shows without a model contest) are fast becoming obsolete and unnecessary to the hobbyist.  Over the last several years, shows have become more than less of a personal burden considering the prep time, expense outlay, and somewhat marginal sales,  All in all for the hobbyvendor, trading at hobby shows is neither worthwhile nor enjoyable anymore.

Changes within the retailing environment at the shows to include, but not isolated to: low attendance at all shows; attendees leaving shows early, mostly staying 1-2 hrs.; lack of "new" attendees on a continuous bases; too many low grade bottom feeders looking for 1960s/70s prices; "kit dumping" by a couple of spoilers who now regularly attend most of the shows in the SoCal area; and too many hobby shows vs the ratio of "real buyers".  Bottom-line, hobby shows are no longer viable (for the hobbyvendor) in the primary market area that hobbyvendor has traded at for many years.

Instead of trading at hobby shows, hobbyvendor will focus efforts on Internet sales.  After surveying the Internet and test trading on ebay, hobbyvendor will utilize this venue to continue trading in the hobby kit & accessories market taking it globally instead of locally.

Next year hobbyvendor will only be attending 2-3 hobby shows (to be announced later on Twitter). hobbyvendor will continue supporting local hobby shows by attending a few select shows either as a buyer or helping out another vendor.  The single hobby event in the SoCal area that (imo) is still worthy of attending every year is the IPMS OC Orange Con Model Contest & Vendors Fair.  hobbyvendor will make every effort to attend this show as a vendor.


Editor's Note: So to avoid any misunderstandings about the above blog post, hobbyvendor is not singling out any particular show, all shows attended by hobbyvendor on a regular basis is how decision was made. It should also be noted that although hobbyvendor has determined that local hobby shows no longer provide a viable market for the hobbyvendor, it does not mean that other vendors have not enjoyed success at these shows. There are many vendors who still do quite well at the shows and enjoy serving the general public.
Also, for those who organize and present the hobby shows , your tireless efforts have been greatly appreciated over the years by the hobbyvendor, and it's probable safe to say by all the other vendors as well.  Hats off to you - each and every hobby show organizer. 

Tuesday, July 23, 2019

FREE Shipping on hobbyvendor's ebay page

All auto and aircraft detail sets, and some vehicle kits now have FREE Shipping for a limited time during the summer months.  Will be adding new kits and accessories throughout the summer.  Selected newly listed kits and accessories will also have FREE Shipping - Go hobbyvendor's ebay listings to see what's new. Keep in mind that any item on my ebay list is subject to being unlisted for local hobby shows in the SoCal area. However, some items are ebay only exclusives and will never show up at the hobby shows. hobbyvendor will start phasing out all detail parts and decals trading at hobby shows. They will be listed on ebay (and other seller sites) only.

Upcoming Hobby Events - SoCal Area


This Saturday, July 27, 2019 - Roundhouse Gang Model RR Club will hold a SWAPMEET at the Old Santa Fe Train Station in the City of San Bernardino, CA. For more info., click on the flyer to expand.

Next Month: Sunday, August 18, 2019 at Military Hobbies in the City of Orange, Military Hobbies will present Science Fiction & Real Space Model Contest. Contest takes place at the hobby shop. For more information, click on the flyer. I will post a reminder in August close to the contest date.

Saturday, July 13, 2019

Kit Collectors Show & Sale Plus Brewer Bros Show in August



Sunday, July 14, 2019 - Remember Kit Collectors Show will be at the Community Center in the City of Garden Grove, CA. Doors open at 9AM. Show ends at 3PM. Get there early for best selection of hobby items. hobbyvendor will be helping Herb Deeks Models.
In August, hobbyvendor will be at the Brewer Brothers Show in HB at Old World. Show takes place at the German Beer Hall. In the afternoon hours, there might be the small dog races as well.