Upcoming card show a collector’s dream

With vendors coming from all corners of Alberta and Saskatchewan, you never know what you might find at the Border City Card Show.

On March 25 from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., the LloydMall will be taken over by passionate card collectors and hobbyists of all ages. Whether you’re collecting hockey, Magic, baseball, Pokémon, football or Yu-GiOh cards, there will be something for everyone.

The card show will also feature a wide variety of door prizes and an autograph session with NHL alum and Edmonton Oilers’ broadcast analyst Rob Brown from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.

“We had a smaller version of this in October that we hosted in the back room of Border City Games and we had a moderate turnout for that, but I just felt that a bigger venue would be beneficial,” said organizer Chris Brinklow.

“I thought a good draw might be to bring an NHL player in, so I sent out a couple of emails and Rob Brown got back to me. He’s excited to make the trip to Lloyd.”

As a long-time Pittsburgh Penguins fan, Brinklow is extra excited for the event’s special guest.

“Rob Brown was drafted by the Penguins in the late ‘80s and played alongside Mario Lemieux, who I’m sure everyone has heard of,” he said.

“Rob’s got quite a few accolades and still owns the WHL record for most points in a season with 212. He was part of the World Juniors that won gold in 1988, and he was part of the ’89 All-Star game and got 115 that season. As a long-time Penguins fan, I’m really looking forward to having him out.”

Brinklow also explained the card show will double up as a fun - draiser, with proceeds from the event supporting The Olive Tree.

“I didn’t want to do this show for me and I wanted to give back to the community somehow. As I was piecing this thing together, my wife and I were talking and we decided any proceeds from the event will be donated to The Olive Tree,” he said.

“There’s no admission fee, but if people want to get autographs by Rob, we have a hockey card we designed and printed, with his permission, and we’re selling the cards for $5 at the show, and proceeds from card sales are going to The Olive Tree as well.”

Brinklow then explained proceeds from door prize ticket sales will also be donated to The Olive Tree.

“Richardson’s Jewellery is throwing in a pair of Oiler tickets for the door prizes, the Lloydminster and District Co-op has submitted a gift basket, as has the casino,” he said.

“Our friends over at Lids in the LloydMall provided a couple of hats, the May Theatre provided some movie passes, and we also got gift certificates to the Canadian Brewhouse, Family Pizza and Eats and Treats by Hotsuls. There’s a lot of great door prizes.”

Well-known trading card grader PSA Canada will also be on-site accepting submissions for grading.

“People can bring their card in, PSA will take it, and depending on how fast you want it back, will affect the price to have it graded,” said Brinklow.

“PSA usually doesn’t do first-time, small city shows, they usually do Toronto and Edmonton, the bigger venues. To have them here is a real honour because it’s something they normally wouldn’t do. It’s quite special and encouraging for Lloydminster.”