Soda Show! Soda Show! Soda Show!!

[willssoda]

Ok, I know there's probably one out there, but darn if I ever hear anyone talk about a Soda Can Show. So I am thinking about holding one, but before I pull the trigger I am needing some feedback from the Bunch. Here is my idea, let me know what you think. Currently I am a member of a collectible and bottle club here in East Tennessee, we have the Bristol Motor Speedway, Birth place of Country Music, Johnson City where the first commercially produced Mountain Dew originated, Dollywood, Pigeon Forge and much, much more for people to enjoy. every year for the past 22 years the SFABCA has held an annual trade and sell show (visit SFABCA.com) for pics of past events and information about our club. The show is held at the local fairgrounds and we have a huge indoor venue with about 90 tables rented each year. I am wanting to either combine the soda show and bottle show together under one roof or hold the soda show in as separate building within stone throw on the same day as the bottle and collectible show. Along with hard to find soda ACL and embossed bottles there are also, signs, thermometers, lights and many other soda and collectible advertising items that are sold at the show. While the show used to be a two day event, it was down sized to one day several years back; however, with the addition of cans I am proposing the following:
Friday evening anyone interested could join myself and others at the home of Geff Moore (JCTN can man) Geff has somewhere around 5K cans on display on the walls and ceiling of his house! We would most likely perform some soft trading and provide food and sodas to all attending (details to follow if we hold the event). Depending on number of attendees there may also be room to room trading at the hotel (to be determined based on interest) Beer cans are also welcome; however, the main focus would be on soda. Saturday we would hold the show depending on number of attendees it would either be in the main building along with the other (bottle show) vendors or we would rent our own building near the bottle show so patrons could wander from show to show and shop for all things soda related. Saturday, anyone interested in seeing my collection (Willssoda) would be welcome to come back to my home to view the collection and have a cook-out. Both collections are unique and contain some real gems......lots of soda cans would be available for trade or sale from both of us and I would put up a Sunny Jim along with a Card board Sunny Jim Sign as a door prize along with any other cans or soda items that may be donated for the event. I really need to get the ball rolling on this one and need to determine interest and who would be willing to attend before I can pull the trigger. Again this is just a pilot idea and I am seeking feedback so I can determine if going forward is worth it. Being centrally located from Florida, Mid West and Northern states and being held at the same time as a soda bottle and collectible show should be a great idea if I can get people interested and willing to travel to the event. I would encourage anyone interested to check out our area and surrounding areas because this is a great place to vacation and lots of history and beautiful hiking trails, waterfalls and mountains await. I look forward to any responses and all input.
Thanks!

[willssoda]

Oh and I forgot to mention the Appalachian Fairgrounds is in Gray, TN centrally located from Kingsport, Johnson City and Bristol, TN and is only about 1 mile off of the I-26 interstate exit #13. 100 Lakeview Street Johnson City, TN

[willssoda]

Guess it would help to mention when it would be held.....lol First weekend in May 2020. 9-2

[Leon]

Is this the place? LEON.


https://sfabca.com/

[willssoda]

Yes sir.

[canscards]

I'm in Lets rock!!!

[ConeTop Soda Can Man]

Hey Thanks for the post! I would love to attend! C'mon folks lets get this thing going!

[willssoda]

Keep in mind. First weekend of May 2020

[willssoda]

With just over 11 months to plan I wanted to revisit this topic again. I have 5 people so far who have committed to attend and with that said there will be a show held during the SFABCA bottle show however, I would like to get a minimum of 15 so we could look at renting a separate building just for cans. If you are remotely interested or have any suggestions for me in regards to holding this event please don't hold back and send me a PM with your thoughts or commitment. My goal is to really make this a great event so that it will reoccur each year. Thanks!

[Pokey]

Sadly, that is a little bit too far out of the way for me.

[willssoda]

No worries. Thanks for the feedback and sorry you can't make it. I do want to toss out this question for some of you leagal gurus. Can I sell raffle tickets for door prizes on line? Either on RB, Facebook or combo of? Was thinking this way those who can't attend could still participate? Thoughts??

[Ted Wolfe]

I'm not a guru either, but I seem to remember either Facebook or Paypal not being particularly cooperative with raffles.

[willssoda]

Thanks Ted! Can tickets be sold here on RB?

[willssoda]

while the show is slotted for May 2020 preparation needs to occur now. If you or someone e you know is interested in attending or setting up I need to hear from you now. PM or thread reply is fine, but need to know so I can reserve the space needed. Hope to heat from you soon. In an effort to make this show a success I’m looking at having some great prizes for attendees. $100 cash will be one. Super nice and tough soda can or cans (to be determined) will be another. There will be a cookout get together with light trade night before along with an Oporto view two large soda collections. This show will also be blessed with foot traffic from the bottle show attendees (bottle show has ran for past 22 years) very well organized and promoted. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve heard people say I wish there was a soda can show. Well this could be it but I need more responses. Currently I have 5 plus myself who will be in attendance and setting up. Plenty of time to plan and lots in this area to do so you could make a weekend of it. Look forward to hearing from ya soon