Halloween weekend will present a different kind of candy for collectors who venture to the Philadelphia area.
The Fanatics Authentic Sports Spectacular will feature autograph and photo opportunities and even meet-and-greet sessions with more than 50 athletes. This weekend’s show, which runs from October 30 through November 1, will be held at the Greater Philadelphia Expo Center in Oaks, Pennsylvania. There also will be more than 100 exhibitor tables.
The autograph sessions lined up read like a who’s who of Philadelphia area sports history, past and present: Julius Erving, Mike Schmidt, Steve Carlton, Pete Rose, Bobby Clarke, Connor Barwin, John Denny, Billy Cunningham, Bernie Parent, Carli Lloyd and Ryan Howard.
Other stars expected to attend include Cal Ripken Jr., Bo Jackson, Jack Lambert, Jim Kelly, Ozzie Smith, Brooks Robinson, and “Mean” Joe Greene.
Autograph tickets start at $19 with Jackson, Schmidt, Ripken and Erving at the opposite end of the scale.
Admission is free all weekend, and VIP tickets can be purchased for $99. The VIP pass will allow collectors to enter the Expo Center 30 minutes before it is opened to the general public.
The show’s organizers are encouraging young collectors to attend Saturday’s session dressed in a Halloween costume or as a favorite Philadelphia player.
The Greater Philadelphia Expo Center in Oaks is located 18 miles northwest of downtown Philadelphia at 100 Station Ave. Hours for the general public are 4:30 to 9 p.m. on October 30, 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. on October 31 and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on November 1.
More info, including advance autograph ticket info is here.
If you can’t make the show, Fanatics offers signed items here.