Pipe Shows

[Slow Triathlete]

Can anyone give me the low down on which pipe shows are the best? I live on the coast of North Carolina and wonder if there are any that are close.

Thanks a lot!!

You are in luck to have the Raleigh Show in April and the Richmond Show in Sept. The Raleigh show is smaller but still very good for its size and is a good time as Mr Moo can attest to. Richmond is the second largest show and is a fantastic and very much worth a trip up north.

[jgros001]

http://www.pipeshowsusa.com/

Here is a schedule of pipe shows. As to the best, don't know. But Chicago sounded awesome: http://www.clubstogie.com/vb/showthr...hlight=chicago

[DubintheDam]

Good question? I'm at that stage where it would be a real 'trip', to go to a pipe show...my best bet would be Germany...you remind me to do some research and put it in my agenda.

[IKMeerschaum]

My first "real" pipe show was Chicago and all I can say is WOW! The pre-show was bigger than most other pipe shows I've seen reports from or attended. Well worth the trip from California!

As someone mentioned in a different thread, get there at least the night before as the there is some great wheeling and dealing going on in hotel rooms prior to the start of the actual show (and yes this part is open to anyone attending, not just dealers and carvers).

However it is hard to go wrong with any pipe show when it comes down to it. If there is one near your home, you really owe it to yourself (and those throwing it) to attend and support it. All shows have to start somewhere.

[Arizona]

How about west coast shows? I think it's LA and Phoenix is all we get out this way? I'm in So Cal and these are my only two even remotely close enough to travel to.

[EvanS]

Originally Posted by Arizona

How about west coast shows? I think it's LA and Phoenix is all we get out this way? I'm in So Cal and these are my only two even remotely close enough to travel to.

Yep, that's about it, unless you include the No Cal Show.

And the LA show was canceled this year...I heard it was from lack of interest?

[Bruce]

There's a very good show coming up in a couple of months......the St. Louis Show. mr.c and I had a very good time at this show, and came away with some great deals!
On Sunday, the last day of the show, pipes were selling for 40% to 60% off retail. Lots of rare and vintage tobacco also.

[Arizona]

"And the LA show was canceled this year...I heard it was from lack of interest?"

Exactly what I feared!!!!

Tinderbox stores in So Cal have virtually vanished from our malls. Thankfully we do have at least one really classic tobacco/pipe/cigar shop here in San Diego and I've been going there. Anymore the So Cal pipe smoking scene seems to have fallen victim to the Commies who run this state.

When is the Phoenix show?? I can make that one without to much trouble...

Thanks EvanS...

[EvanS]

sorry Jeff, I do believe that the Phoenix show was back at the beginning of the calendar year. So far I don't see any listings for the 2008 calendar year

[IKMeerschaum]

Originally Posted by EvanS

And the LA show was canceled this year...I heard it was from lack of interest?

The word I got from the organizers (as we were trying to get a booth) was that they've been unable to find a location that would allow smoking in LA proper.

There are a few of us B&Ms left in CA and our regulars would probably have road-tripped to the LA show. We had a handful go to the NorCal show and stop by our table to say hi...

MJG

[EvanS]

Originally Posted by IKMeerschaum

The word I got from the organizers (as we were trying to get a booth) was that they've been unable to find a location that would allow smoking in LA proper.

There are a few of us B&Ms left in CA and our regulars would probably have road-tripped to the LA show. We had a handful go to the NorCal show and stop by our table to say hi...

MJG

well yeah, I guess that makes perfect sense. Seemed unreasonable that with 10M+ people local there wouldn't be enough interest.
I wonder if they've ever looked into any of the fairgrounds. Open air tents and all....

[IKMeerschaum]

Originally Posted by EvanS

I wonder if they've ever looked into any of the fairgrounds. Open air tents and all....

True, we do have the perfect weather for this most times of the year. The challenge would be that I beleive they would have to be awnings (tents with no sides) to comply with fire regulations.

Better would be a covered outdoor facility that is between or surrounded by buildings on two or three sides to minimize the wind. OC Fairgrounds has just such a location JUST IN CASE anyone from the SWPCL is lurking on the board...