For some, sports cards are a prized possession. For others, collecting is a hobby that brings people together.
Collectors, vendors, and enthusiasts gathered at the Zem Zem Shrine Club in Millcreek for Kinem’s Sports Cards’ annual card show, a tradition that has become a highly anticipated event for many in the hobby.
The show featured baseball, football, hockey, and basketball cards, along with collectibles such as Pokémon and Magic: The Gathering cards. Attendees spent the day browsing vendor tables, searching through boxes of cards, and discussing favorite athletes and teams.
Mike Brown, owner of Kinem’s Sports Cards in Erie, said interest in the hobby continues to grow. What started with about 20 tables has expanded to 75 vendors, with the event being held at the Zem Zem Shrine Club for the past three years.
Vendors from Erie and across the tri-state region brought collections ranging from inexpensive singles to rare cards worth hundreds of dollars. For collectors like Nate Ferrick of North East, each show offers the opportunity to discover something new.
“No matter how many times I’ve come, I’m always going to see a different card here that I haven’t seen before,” Ferrick said.
The event attracted collectors of all ages, creating a space where longtime hobbyists and newcomers alike could share their passion. In a world increasingly driven by technology, organizers and vendors say the hobby continues to provide a personal connection and a shared experience for generations of collectors.