PEZCIFIC report from Brian...

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.

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.

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!

Maheba Merhi & Brian