With the recent growth in trading card popularity it’s no surprise that, in turn, more shows focusing on the hobby would arise. So when the folks at fan-favorite Jersey Shore Toy Show decided to put on their very first Toms River Card Show, we knew we had to be there!
Held at the Clarion Hotel in Toms River, NJ on May 15, the debut card show had nearly 40 tables for attendees to shop and browse from 10am-3pm, and just for $3 too (or $10 for an early bird entry at 8am)! Earlier is better for these kinds of shows because whatever the vendors bring is all they’ll have to offer! The earlier they sell out, the earlier you’ll see them close up shop for the day.
There was a wide variety of trading cards for sale at the show. We’re talking about sports, Pokemon, Magic The Gathering, Yu-Gi-Oh!, and even Star Wars cards, which is great because many of these are near impossible to find in-store because of the recent halt of trading card sales in some retail shops like Target.
And with enthusiasts focusing on the condition of their collections these days, there were tons of graded options available from PSA to CGC to even Beckett. Plus, because of the recent influx of submissions (and even suspension of services) with these companies, picking up an already-slabbed card at events is the quickest way to secure a high-grade collectible!
Energy was high all day with fans making deals with vendors and walking away with grails and other sought-after items. And what was cool about this particular card show was that it wasn’t just limited to cards: you could even find other sports memorabilia (like signed helmets), Funko Pops, comic books, and autographed photos. Check out these amazing Star Wars autographs from the Original Trilogy:
Not everything was super expensive for high-end collectors either. The Toms River Card Show is very family friendly, and plenty of vendors had bulk deals to kickstart a young fan’s collection. And whether it’s binders full of low-cost cards or even affordable hit cards, it’s a great way to introduce someone to the hobby!
The Toms River Card Show will be a seasonal show with their next event happening on October 16 so be sure to visit their official website and social media to stay up to date with show-related announcements. If you’re a trading card collector, you won’t want to miss it!
LesDudis 