For all those who did not have the chance to attend the PEZCific Convention we are happy to share with you a little summary which was written by
our lovely friend Brian.
Day 1 - Thursday
Met with Karen
Pachowicz at my place at 4:00am (yes that early) and headed to the airport in
Chicago. It was Karen's first time flying in almost 15 years and she wanted a
travel buddy.
She did great! After the flight we made our
way to the convention hotel (hooray for the sun outside and warm weather!!!)
where things were already happening.
First stop: registration room to claim our
convention dispenser.
We're very lucky, Pez is making a convention dispenser for
a few of the US conventions this year, and Pezcific is getting a special
dispenser unlike the others because they're celebrating a special anniversary
(Happy 15th Pezcific!!!).
Some of the rooms were already opened for shopping,
and we began the Pez hunt. Found new Easter items, new Superman / Batman boxed
set, Big Y truck,
and a few items I needed to add to my
collection.
After shopping quite
a few of us headed to the Mexican restaurant across the street. Margaritas and
Pez, what a
great
combination „smile“-Emoticon Afterwards it was back to more
shopping!
Then the scavenger hunt began. I didn’t play, but it was fun to watch
all of the contestants running around the hotel trying to find clues and solve
the puzzle. After that it was time to party and converse with other PEZHeads in
the lobby before heading to
bed.
Day 2- Friday
Woke up this morning
to find people already shopping. Early Pez hunting!
Grabbed a coffee and did the
same.
A few new rooms opened up, so I added a few more items to my collection.
Caught portions of the Pez seminars (Pez 101 by Denise Fournier and then info on
counterfeits by Bobby Acker and Chris Jordan).
No matter how long you've
been in this hobby, you can always learn new things; I sure did this time. It's
just one of the many reasons to attend a Pez convention, whether you're new to
the hobby or have been in it for years.
Time for games!
Minute to win it and a
few others.
Maheba does a great job of organizing the games and making it fun
for everyone.
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| Games and great prizes... |
After dinner at the hotel it was time
to get ready for bingo. The hosts of the Sin City Las Vegas convention were
there with a photo booth. That was a lot of fun!
More memories with friends in
funny outfits. Before bingo started, it was time to announce the PEZHead
of the year.
After explaining the criteria in selecting the winner, the name was
announced…
Chris Jordan!
Congrats Chris! Everyone erupted into applause as Chris
made her way to the stage;
we all know that there couldn’t have been a better
selection.
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| Congrats to PHOTY CHRIS JORDAN |
Bingo began and the first game was
on.
There were so many great prizes! Since it was Pezcific’s anniversary,
Maheba outdid herself and had TWO Mega Bingo rounds. Both rounds had great prize
packages, including a test Shere Kahn and test Elmo piece. Our table was the
lucky table
that won the very last Mega Bingo round – congrats Brian
P!
After Bingo we roamed the halls to find a few more
late night deals.
But the late night wasn’t over just yet… a few of us
(you know
who you are!!!!!!)
donned our Friday night “best” and headed to West Hollywood
to go dancing at a few clubs.
It was a great way to end the night.
Day 3 –
Saturday
CONVENTION DAY!!!
All of the dealers were set up
and ready to go in the main ballroom.
After 4 hours final purchases were
made, and as the selling portion was coming to a close,
we were in for a treat.
The local chapter of the 501st Legion (a Star Wars “Imperial Costuming
Organization”) came to the convention and set up. When they were ready they
marched into the ballroom and we got to take pictures with the troop. That was
so much fun!
Everyone looked great. Speaking of Star Wars, Darren and Veronica
(the great Pezcific charity auction organizers)
brought their GIANT Death Star
dispenser for everyone to see… it was bigger than me!
Definitely time for
another photo opportunity.
After the selling portion was over, it was time to get ready
for the charity auction.
So many great prizes, many Star Wars themed.
The first
order of business was to announce the winner of the vintage vending
machine raffle….
one of the Star Wars characters got to pick the winning ticket.
Drum roll…..
Aaron Lamay!
He was astounded. Nice win Aaron!
The individual
auctions began, and people were bidding high.
Quality PEZ prints, pins, vintage
dispensers, signed items awesome displays…
so many things to drool over.
I was
lucky enough to win a FANTASTIC Cow B art piece that was printed on metallic
media (made by the Rambo Relayers!), and a signed Boris Vallejo original
Star
Wars poster with Luke and Yoda on it, accompanied by a signed Yoda dispenser.
Awesome pieces!
After the charity auction we headed across the street for one final
group outing.
Dinner at our favorite local Mexican restaurant!
There was a large
group of us and we had fun eating, drinking, and just being silly.
It was the
perfect way to end the convention before
heading back home to Chicago the next
morning.
I want to give a
HUGE THANK YOU
to Maheba Merhi
for organizing such a
fun event.
You do an amazing job, as well as your incredible family who are
always on hand to help.
Looking forward to next year, and congrats again on your
Pezcific anniversary!
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| Maheba Merhi & Brian |
