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Paul Maiellaro’s Fall Festival was held on September 11 and 12 at the Holiday Inn and Suites in Carol Stream, IL. Paul is a great host and it was good to see him heading a show again. Maiellaro promoted the Chicagoland Entertainment Collectors Expo for.

By Sep 13,2015  2

Paul Maiellaro’s Fall Festival was held on September 11 and 12 at the Holiday Inn and Suites in Carol Stream, IL. Paul is a great host and it was good to see him heading a show again. Maiellaro promoted the Chicagoland Entertainment Collectors Expo for many years before dealers Ed Webb and Kevin Bennett took the show over in March of ’12, renaming the show the Chicago Non-Sport Card Show. This time, Paul was generously promoting two charities—The Pediatric Oncology Treasure Chest Foundation and the US Veteran’s Home at Manteno, IL.

Friday Afternoon's Small Crowd

Friday Afternoon’s Small Crowd

Paul Maiellaro with print by Connie Faye

Paul Maiellaro with print by Connie Faye

The show was lightly attended but those who attended were buying. Was it worth attending? You bet! If for no other reason than to meet many old friends at the show. While not strictly a card show, many of the exhibitors had cards on their tables along with pop culture items such as toys, models, figures, comics, posters and photos. Across the hall was a room with books, puzzles and Halloween decorations for sale.

Some of the regulars from the Chicago show were there, Looky Here Cards, Carl, David Hartman and Flea Circus Collectibles, all with very reasonable prices. I was able to check off some needs from my want list from Looky Here. David Hartman had a selection of promos and Treasure Chest of Art sketches. I bought two absolutely beautiful sketches—Uma Thurman from Kill Bill by Ted Dastick, Jr. and Liam Neeson as Qui-Gon Jinn by Jason Carrier.

Kill Bill by Ted Dastick Jr.

Kill Bill by Ted Dastick Jr.

Qui-Gon Jinn by Jason Carrier

Qui-Gon Jinn by Jason Carrier

 

There were lots of toys. One of my friends picked up some really nice Disney Main Street toys, still in original box. Another dealer had the famous issue of Life magazine which featured the article on Horrors of War cards. He also had old original newspapers with famous headlines, including one dating back to Chicago’s gangster era.

There were two other dealers with unusual products. Sweet Street of Lombard, IL was selling candy ranging from old fashion rock candy to Pez to gourmet chocolate. The small bag of triple dipped malted milk balls I purchased did not survive to see another sunrise. There was also a vendor called Morphables, Trick Pic Productions, which makes custom lenticular cards. Their business card was an oversize lenticular with some examples of their work, check them out on the web.

A big part of the show featured the great artists. Tony Miello, did a large Captain America sketch for an auction to raise money for the veterans. Connie Faye, well-known to collectors for her sketch card work, did a drawing of female service members titled Sister Veterans. Limited to only 30 prints, all sales were to benefit the veteran’s home. Connie, a Marine Corps veteran herself, wanted to show under-represented women vets, and drew several of her friends and women she served with as well as some of the earliest women marines.

Artist Connie Faye

Artist Connie Faye

Stahma by Connie Faye

Stahma by Connie Faye

Connie, who lives in the area, has become a regular at the Chicago shows, and she is a joy to talk with. She starts each day with a Daily Sketch, just a quick pencil drawing to get the creative juices flowing. I purchased one of these, a lovely sketch of Jaime Murray as Stahma Tarr from the TV series Defiance.

Other artists in attendance included Mark McHaley, Chris Ness and Luke Daab, three talented artists with very different styles.

Following the show on Friday, a special Charity Dinner was held, Paul was also celebrating his belated 50th Birthday. Saturday the show re-opened and included three young women dressed as Disney Princesses to entertain the kids. Thanks to Paul for having this fun event. On October 2 and 3 we will return to the same location for the Chicago Non-Sport Card Show.

Celeste and Bill Hjelmgren of Looky Here Cards

Celeste and Bill Hjelmgren of Looky Here Cards

Artists Mark McHaley, Chris Ness, and Luke Daab

Artists Mark McHaley, Chris Ness, and Luke Daab

 

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2 Comments

  • Jane September 13, 2015 Reply

    Sounds like a good time. By the way, Connie Faye ROCKS.

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  • nl September 13, 2015 Reply

    Would love to make it there someday. Great story!

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