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notoriousrmb
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Just got back from the fanfest here in St. Louis. In case anyone is planning on going in the next few days, just a few things to be aware of.
Autographs:
Most autograph lines start lining up around 4 hours before the signer is scheduled to appear. There are a few spots to get free autographs, but any guests in the Mastercard signing in the front of the show will only sign for the first 200, and only on the pictures they provide. Other booths will allow anything besides bats. But be prepared, you will be waiting up to 4 hours in line so don't plan on getting more than one autograph too close together.
Sports Cards:
There are a bunch of dealers set up, all selling the same wax. UD Series 1 and 2, UD SPx and Leg Cuts, Topps Series 1 and 2, Topps Heritage and Allen & Ginter. Didn't really see anything outside these boxes...one dealer curiously enough had a display set up selling hot packs, many from the same products he had out to sell ::facepalm:: All singles seemed in my opinion to be way overpriced (i.e. base Longoria cards from BCDP for $10)
UD had a booth with a wrapper redemption program, open 3 packs and get a 4-card set which changes daily. Topps allowed you to choose from 1 of 5 Fanfest exclusive Cardinal cards if you opened 3 packs, plus if you bought a box you could receive a manufactured All-Star patch card. Neat looking, but tough to justify for the price and selection of cards to choose from.
Activites:
If you have a Holiday Inn Priority Club card, BRING IT! You can stop by the information booth and show your card to get some coupons allowing you to move to the front of the line for most events (not autographs). Well worth it! Tons to do, including a home run derby where you can try to hit balls over a "green monster" type wall. Bring the kids, they will love it.
Food:
Not a deal breaker, but for those who plan on spending a long day there it is standard ballpark fare and ballpark priced ($4 bottle sodas, $5 hot dogs, etc.) Taco bell has a promotion where they give away free volcano tacos every 2-3 hours...this line is also quite long.
Did not see any McFarlane exclusive Fanfest figures, a big let down for me.
Tons of guest speakers, Cal Ripken was there this morning broadcasting for XM radio. Plenty of places to just sit and listen to the greats talk baseball. Hopefully the crowds will die down a bit after the first day today because it was tough trying to walk around. Overall, I think some improvements could have been made regarding the autograph lines and timing, but it was a fun event and if you have kids you should go if you are in the area.
Autographs:
Most autograph lines start lining up around 4 hours before the signer is scheduled to appear. There are a few spots to get free autographs, but any guests in the Mastercard signing in the front of the show will only sign for the first 200, and only on the pictures they provide. Other booths will allow anything besides bats. But be prepared, you will be waiting up to 4 hours in line so don't plan on getting more than one autograph too close together.
Sports Cards:
There are a bunch of dealers set up, all selling the same wax. UD Series 1 and 2, UD SPx and Leg Cuts, Topps Series 1 and 2, Topps Heritage and Allen & Ginter. Didn't really see anything outside these boxes...one dealer curiously enough had a display set up selling hot packs, many from the same products he had out to sell ::facepalm:: All singles seemed in my opinion to be way overpriced (i.e. base Longoria cards from BCDP for $10)
UD had a booth with a wrapper redemption program, open 3 packs and get a 4-card set which changes daily. Topps allowed you to choose from 1 of 5 Fanfest exclusive Cardinal cards if you opened 3 packs, plus if you bought a box you could receive a manufactured All-Star patch card. Neat looking, but tough to justify for the price and selection of cards to choose from.
Activites:
If you have a Holiday Inn Priority Club card, BRING IT! You can stop by the information booth and show your card to get some coupons allowing you to move to the front of the line for most events (not autographs). Well worth it! Tons to do, including a home run derby where you can try to hit balls over a "green monster" type wall. Bring the kids, they will love it.
Food:
Not a deal breaker, but for those who plan on spending a long day there it is standard ballpark fare and ballpark priced ($4 bottle sodas, $5 hot dogs, etc.) Taco bell has a promotion where they give away free volcano tacos every 2-3 hours...this line is also quite long.
Did not see any McFarlane exclusive Fanfest figures, a big let down for me.
Tons of guest speakers, Cal Ripken was there this morning broadcasting for XM radio. Plenty of places to just sit and listen to the greats talk baseball. Hopefully the crowds will die down a bit after the first day today because it was tough trying to walk around. Overall, I think some improvements could have been made regarding the autograph lines and timing, but it was a fun event and if you have kids you should go if you are in the area.
