ALLENTOWN, Pa. – If you hear a lot of bells and whistles coming from the Allentown Fairgrounds, don’t be alarmed. It’s just the largest pinball and arcade show on the East Coast.

Hundreds of vintage and modern machines have taken over the Agri-Plex.

You’ll hear it before you see it.

The mechanical roar of around 400 pinball machines all at once. This weekend, the Allentown Fairgrounds is the center of the gaming universe for thousands of fans as Pinfest 2026 takes over.

“We are celebrating a long-forgotten hobby and a passion of pinball,” said show promoter Ivan Lysykanycz. “If you’re someone who’s looking for something for your home, that’s here. If you’re just someone who wants to play with your family, you can do that. If you want to test your skills with some of the best players in the country, that happens here, too.”

This show has grown by leaps and bounds over 30 years, evolving from a small fire hall gathering to a global destination.

“We’ve had people from Australia. We’ve had people from Europe. They come from everywhere,” said Lysykanycz.

“It’s kind of cool. It’s a little bit nostalgic,” said Maryland resident Jeff Helgeson. “There’s some vintage ones, really cool that you don’t normally see and you get to play those for free.”

Whether you’re a long-time collector or this is your first time seeing a flipper, the goal is the same: Stay alive and chase that high score.

That mission is a tradition for the Bowers, who traveled from South Jersey with three generations of fans.

“We have probably 25 machines between all of us. So, it’s a family thing. It’s a habit,” said Dan Bowers.

But it’s not all just for fun. Groups like Project Pinball Charity bring the game to children’s hospitals nationwide.

“It really is good therapy. It gets the kids on their feet, motivated. Hand eye coordination, takes their mind off, maybe some troubles that they’re having,” said Howard Levine.

You can join the party Saturday from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m.

General Admission purchased the day of the event is $25 for adults. Children under 12 purchased the day of the event is $12.