Hundreds of vendors and thousands of fans packed the Langley Events Centre for the Western Canada Collectibles Experience over three days.
It ran from Friday to Sunday, shutting down at 3 p.m. on Sunday to allow time to watch the Grey Cup.
When they weren’t bargaining for collectible cards, bobble heads, and other collector’s merchandise, visitors lined up for in-person appearances an autograph sessions by Edmonton Oilers goaltenders Grant Fuhr and Bill Ranford, brothers and former Vancouver Canucks Geoff and Russ Courtnall, along with three-time Stanley Cup champion Chris Chelios and current Vancouver Canuck Nils Hoglander.
READ ALSO: Former, current NHLers featured at Western Canada Sports Collectors Convention
Based on his fitness tracker, it was a busy time for event organizer Dale Novakowski, owner of Boss Productions.
“I’ve done 46,000 steps in two days,” Novakowski estimated.
“It’s a lot of fun to do, and as you can see it’s absolutely packed, and represents Langley well,” Novakowski commented.
“It certainly is great for the hobby that we’re all involved in.”
READ ALSO: Collectors and autograph hunters pack the Western Canada Collectibles Experience in Langley
Clayton Heights resident Eric Leung was one several vendors looking to sell some of his personal collection.
“I collected when I was younger. I stopped for a bit and came back to in it, Leung told the Langley Advance Times.
“I’m actually selling today, all the old stuff from the early 90s and early 80’s.”
Vendor John Hodgson, who took the ferry over from his hometown of Victoria to attend, said it selling collectibles was “only a hobby” for him, not a business.
Hodgson was selling items acquired in his childhood, while growing up in the Maplewood area at the corner of Mackenzie and Quadra Street in the capitol.
“I used to kick around the old Memorial Arena in Victoria,” Hodgson recalled.
“My brother and I would pick up all of the sports programs and bring them home. We’ve been doing quite well [now] selling old Victoria Cougar and Maple Leaf programs. People around here, they seem to love them.”
He was selling some older sports trading cards, as well.
“A legacy of stuff my dad bought for me when I was five years old and my brother’s collection,” Hodgson explained.
“My brother passed away 10 years ago and he gave me all of his cards in his will. “
