Ind. (WLFI) – Collectors from across Indiana and neighboring states packed the Tippecanoe County Fairgrounds this weekend for the monthly Lafayette Card Show
Hosted by Trade River Cards, the event featured 200 vendor tables showcasing sports cards, Pokémon cards and various trading card games. Organizers reported that roughly 1,000 attendees had walked through the doors midway through the event, drawing enthusiasts from Kentucky, Ohio and the Chicago area.
“Lafayette’s really needed a show of this size for a while,” said Justin Stetler, owner of Trade River Cards. “There are obviously a lot of collectors here, and so we’re happy to get them all in one place. People are making friends, they’re doing deals, they’re finding great things. But honestly, we’re bringing in a lot of people to town… A lot of people are traveling for this show.”
Beyond regional collectors, the monthly gathering serves as a launchpad for local shops looking to expand their footprint in the community.
“To see this many collectors in one place is great,” said Lorean Johnston, owner of Top Level Trades Lafayette. “It’s really great for us as a small business as well, ’cause though we’ve been here for two years, there are still some people in the community that haven’t seen us. So, it’s a great place to get some exposure, get out there, meet the community, and hopefully encourage them to come by the shop and check it out.”
The convention floor also drew strong interest from younger hobbyists looking to build collections and trade with vendors.
“You can get a good hobby going,” said Oliver, an 11-year-old collector at the event. “You can make a lot of money, and you can buy stuff that you want if you can buy it.”
The Lafayette Card Show returns to the Tippecanoe County Fairgrounds on Oct. 18.
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