In just over six weeks Garbage Pail Kids collectors on the East Coast will have an opportunity to mingle with some of their favorite GPK artists. The biannual Philly Non-Sports Card Show will once again be ready for collectors on October 20 & 21. The Philly show is the oldest non-sports card show in the country. The upcoming show in October will be the 69th Philly show. The show, which is actually not in Philadelphia but instead in Allentown, PA, takes place at the Merchants Square Mall. With each Philly show there is a focus on a certain non-sports brand. Show organizers are going all out, with the next two Philly Non-Sports shows being GPK and Wacky Packages focused.
The artist line up for upcoming show has six top notch current and former GPK artists. Former original series artist Tom Bunk will lead a group which includes current artists; David Gross, Joe Simko, Smokin’ Joe McWilliams, Layron DeJarnette, and Chad Scheres. The artists will all be on hand selling original art, prints, stickers, cards, and more. Show goers will receive a promo card created by Mark Pingitore. On Sunday, prior to the show opening, there will be a Card Talk panel discussion with all the artists. All the artists are happy to meet the fans. This is a great time to get some quality time with your favorite artist, and help support their art.
With the show focus being on GPK and Wacky Packages, there will be some promo cards available. First off, all attendees to the show will receive a promo card painted by Brent Engstrom. Second, everyone attending the Saturday night show dinner at the Airport Hilton Garden Inn will receive two Halloween themed cards, (one GPK, one Wacky), painted by Joe Simko and Fred Wheaton. The cards will be numbered #1 and #2 in a set. Tom Bunk will also paint a card for dinner attendees. The dinner will be limited to 64 attendees only, and will cost $17.95 per person. Topps has chipped in with a generous donation to help with the artists and to reduce the cost for collectors attending the Saturday night dinner. Smokin’ Joe McWilliams is set to be the guest speaker at the dinner. There will also be prizes from Creepy Co. and Fright Rags. Dinner tickets will sellout. To reserve your spot contact Roxanne Toser at [email protected].
As mentioned above, the focus on GPK/Wackys doesn’t stop with the October Philly show. The 70th Philly Non-Sports show will share the same focus. Show organizers already have a number of things planned for the show taking place on May 4 & 5, 2019. The artists scheduled to attend are Tom Bunk, Mark Pingatore, Fred Wheaton, Jeff Zapata, James Warhola, Neil Camera, and one more TBD. In order to help defray costs for the artists attending the show, they are looking for people to sponsor artists for $250. A couple more sponsorships are available. Sponsors will receive a full color sketch from the artist they sponsor. If interested in sponsoring an artist e-mail Roxanne Toser. The May 2019 show will also feature the next two promo cards in the show dinner set. The cards, #3 & #4, will feature a spring theme and be painted by Layron DeJarnette and Chenduz.
The Philly Non-Sports show features a much different vibe than a Gross Card Con show. With a more relaxed atmosphere, the show floor features nothing but tables selling various non-sport cards. This includes of course a number sellers with GPK merchandise. The show hotel is the Airport Hilton Garden Inn, and a special show rate of $97 is available. Show tickets are available for $8 per day, or a two day pass for $14. The show will be open from 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM Saturday 10/20, and 10:00 AM – 3:00 PM Sunday 10/21. East Coast collectors, don’t miss your chance to meet your favorite GPK artists.