The local business Owensboro Cards is hosting a card show on Saturday, with guests able to access more than 80 tables filled with trading cards, memorabilia, and collectibles from more than 40 vendors. There will also be a Trade Night hour to let collectors interact with one another.
The Owensboro Card Show will be held at the Owensboro Convention Center from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., with the Trade Night from 5-6 p.m. Admission costs $2, with children ages 5 and under admitted free. Those who purchase an event T-shirt will not have to pay the entry fee.
Founded in 2018 by Joey Higdon and Jordan Bittel, Owensboro Cards began as a small side venture from their garage before expanding into online sales and eventually finding a storefront inside T&T Vendor Mall on U.S. 60 in Owensboro.
“The significance of hosting the event at the Convention Center is allowing for a larger space and a wider audience to come and enjoy the hobby,” Higdon said. “The spring show sold out quickly and vendors expressed interest in doing a larger show at a better venue. Also, the venue is located centrally in Owensboro, being close to several hotels and offering a better overall experience for shoppers.”
Visitors can expect to see a wide range of collectibles, from the newest releases of baseball, football, and basketball cards to Pokémon cards, wrestling figures, and signed memorabilia. Some of the unique items on display will include rare Mickey Mantle cards, autographed jerseys from University of Kentucky stars, and graded cards prized by collectors. Local artists will also showcase sports-themed artwork, adding to the range of offerings.
“Vendors are coming from four states and are super excited to exhibit their wares,” Higdon said.
Higdon encourages newcomers and seasoned collectors alike to join the event, with Trade Night offering a special time for attendees to buy, sell, and trade items.
“The idea is that collectors get together and buy, sell, or trade their items,” he said. “We want to bring back the feeling of growing up and trading cards with your friends, talking about the different teams or games going on, and giving some time to meet new people. It can be difficult to find local collectors or those who share similar interests. There are groups online that offer the same thing, but physically being there is one of our favorite experiences. Plus it’s nice to make new friends.”
Higdon said the local community has rallied behind the event, eager for a show of this caliber to become a recurring fixture in Owensboro. The show’s proximity to other large card shows, typically held in Nashville, Evansville, or Louisville, makes it an attractive option for regional collectors, he said. Local businesses including Yard Dog, Howard’s Garage, Eversole Construction Company, The Card Shop Machines, Bluestar Restoration, and Hometown Ink & Threads have also supported the event.
“Some benefits of attending the show include meeting new friends, or finding friends that you didn’t even know collected,” Higdon said. “There is also the possibility of finding that ‘Holy Grail’ or ‘hard-to-find’ item. There are a lot of collectors who don’t list their items online, and the feeling of completing a set is so satisfying. Also, it’s an opportunity for vendors to connect and grow their network.”
Owensboro Cards can be found online at Owensborocards.com or on Facebook at Owensboro Cards.