Lloydminster’s biggest hobby card show will continue bringing collectors and enthusiasts to the Gold Horse Casino Nov. 1.
Read more: Border City Card Show continues to grow, give
The event runs from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. with this being its sixth show, first kicking off in 2022.
“It’s been expanding pretty rapidly, we’re actually growing to the point where we’ve outgrown the casino,” said Chris Brinklow, event organizer.
The event had a dry run at Border City Games and Brinklow saw the possibility of the event growing, taking it next to the mall.
“We had about 26 tables that first show, it was very well-attended,” he said. “From that, we moved to Rolling Greens, their convention centre and that sold out as well.”
As word of mouth spread and the event got more popular, Brinklow found a new home for them in the casino.
“There’s a waiting list from other card collectors that are trying to get into our show,” he said.
He says the hobby of card collecting has grown as some people even make a business out of it.
“Whether it’s Pokémon, hockey, baseball, football, Magic the Gathering, we cover it all,” said Brinklow.
There’s also someone on-site who can help send cards away to be professionally graded.
“If anybody has any cards that they want to get graded, he doesn’t do it on-site, they all have to be sent off to PSA (Collectibles Authentication and Grading Service),” said Brinklow. “But, he will take your submissions.”
Brinklow says the event wouldn’t be possible without sponsors like the Ivanhoe Motel as the event is not something he makes profit from. While it’s $5 per adult and $2 to get in along with raffles, the money generated goes towards making the event happen with leftover proceeds being donated.
“Proceeds of the raffles and a portion of the door fee going to Big Brothers Big Sisters of Lloydminster,” he said.
There will also be a Magic commander tournament happening at the event. It starts at 11 a.m. with drop-in games taking place throughout the day.
The following card show will take place in March with a new venue.
“Our next March show is going to be at the Lloyd Exhibition,” said Brinklow. “We already have an NHL player booked for March, former Oiler Ladislav Šmíd.
“We’re raising money, March 7 (2026), is the next show after this. We’ll be raising money for I Love Alberta Boobs.”
Read more: Card show getting good traction
