Anyone going to Allentown this year ?

[Steph]

I was not entirely sure if I was going to A-town this year,
but now I'm DEFINITELY NOT.

The currency exchange rate is bad enough, but that on it's own would not have deterred me.

However the political mood and unrestricted Border and Immigration powers,
will keep me well away from the US for awhile.

I have nothing to hide, but they can confiscate your phone and detain you for anything they want.

I don't have a cell phone ...
(yah, crazy, I know ; ... but I don't suffer from doom scrolling and crippling social anxiety either..

What happens when they ask to see it, and don't believe that I don't own one.
They'll likely think I'm hiding something, and will tear my car apart.

No thanks.

Anyone else reconsidering going the US because of the current political climate ?

( Just curious )

Steph

[mrmikeman]

Hell NO.

[heinekenlvr]

Definitely a hard No for me too. I went last year and had a blast. Trump has screwed up so much in such a short period of time plus with the exchange on our dollar it was an easy decision for me. I may reconsider going next year depending on how things are then. I will look forward to the Ontario show instead.

[MIkea]

Nope, mostly for all of the reasons listed above. Seriously considering going to Yegpin instead. Of course, will be going to Ontario Pinfest regardless.

[Guard]

I have nothing to hide, but they can confiscate your phone and detain you for anything they want.

Always could, just like our border folks can.
I'm heading down, I try not to let the politics of the day run my life.
Pre-ordered some stuff and everyone is apologizing for the climate. The average American is to blame as much as the average Canadian is for letting last years deficit be enough to cripple our kids future.

[mdeslaur]

Hell no. The wife and I will probably be attending Ontario Pinfest instead.

[Sparky]

Fuck no.

- shitty exchange rate

- 25% tariff

- possibility of being imprisoned for their amusement

So... your 2000$US game ends up costing you 4000$CDN, and you risk getting detained for no other reason other than they just feel like it.

I am quite apolitical but the Americans need to deal with things. It's quite out of hand. Hate is taking over. I never thought I would see this happen one day.

Oh well. I do feel bad for Americans. But then again... their mess.

[cait001]

Please do not go to the USA:

Canadian actor detained at US border in ‘inhumane conditions’ for nearly two weeks
https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/202 ... ico-border

Etats-Unis : un chercheur français refoulé pour avoir exprimé « une opinion personnelle sur la politique menée par l’administration Trump »
machine translation: United States: French researcher expelled for expressing "a personal opinion on the policies pursued by the Trump administration"
https://www.lemonde.fr/international/ar ... _3210.html

sworn declarations that people were sent to El Salvador prisons with no criminal record
https://bsky.app/profile/reichlinmelnic ... spsucxjk2n

Britain Issues Travel Warning for US
https://www.newsweek.com/britain-issues ... ns-2047878

Germany updates US travel advice after 3 citizens are detained
https://thehill.com/policy/internationa ... el-advice/

"A well-respected MMA coach who always posts training tips and is based out of Australia says he arrived in the U.S. for an already-scheduled seminar, but was detained at the border, thrown in a federal prison and ultimately deported. The details of his story are harrowing"
https://bsky.app/profile/lukethomas.bsk ... 34kmx7m224

From our Government https://travel.gc.ca/destinations/united-states
"Individual border agents often have significant discretion in making those determinations. U.S. authorities strictly enforce entry requirements. Expect scrutiny at ports of entry, including of electronic devices. Comply and be forthcoming in all interactions with border authorities. If you are denied entry, you could be detained while awaiting deportation."

That is, they will dump your phone and laptop to see if you have made said anything mean about their mad king.
How to protect your phone and data privacy at the US border: https://www.theguardian.com/technology/ ... mmigration

If you are LGBTQ, Muslim, or black, definitely do not go to the USA. But as with the above examples, even not falling in those groups won't save you.

[cait001]

In somewhat related news, I just booked my room for Pinfest in Wasaga Beach May 31+June 1. That is the only pinball show I am going to this year. I have had to turn down offers to present at two others but they were in the states.

[mrmikeman]

Going as well with my P3.

[Azatotht]

In someone related news, I just booked my room for Pinfest in Wasaga Beach May 31+June 1. That is the only pinball show I am going to this year. I have had to turn down offers to present at two others but they were in the states.

Sounds like a good option. How big is the Wasaga Beach show compared to Allentown ?

From Montreal it's almost the same distance as Allentown so again, good replacement option.

[Guard]

In someone related news, I just booked my room for Pinfest in Wasaga Beach May 31+June 1. That is the only pinball show I am going to this year. I have had to turn down offers to present at two others but they were in the states.

Sounds like a good option. How big is the Wasaga Beach show compared to Allentown ?

From Montreal it's almost the same distance as Allentown so again, good replacement option.

Nowhere near the flea market of course, but the thing I like is no one brings some crap game or a Bally with 40 credits and then sits at zero, just so they can get in early to try and score the deals.
We were well over a 100 games last year and I think Dave has got more folks lined up. I'm bringing 15 including some ones you don't see too much, Blue Note, Hit The Deck, Asteroid Annie, and I'm picking up a Counterforce today I'll try and have ready.

[cait001]

In someone related news, I just booked my room for Pinfest in Wasaga Beach May 31+June 1. That is the only pinball show I am going to this year. I have had to turn down offers to present at two others but they were in the states.

Sounds like a good option. How big is the Wasaga Beach show compared to Allentown ?

From Montreal it's almost the same distance as Allentown so again, good replacement option.

Here's my write-up on last year's show:
https://pinballnovice.blogspot.com/2024 ... iteup.html

You can also find walkthrough videos on YouTube. It was pretty big, but of course can't really compare to Allentown.

i just booked a room at Saga Resort. 30% discount on 2 night bookings if you call and mention the show.

I will be doing a small history booth again this year, if anyone has any prewars or wood rails they would like to setup there.

[cait001]

Nowhere near the flea market of course, but the thing I like is no one brings some crap game or a Bally with 40 credits and then sits at zero, just so they can get in early to try and score the deals.
We were well over a 100 games last year and I think Dave has got more folks lined up. I'm bringing 15 including some ones you don't see too much, Blue Note, Hit The Deck, Asteroid Annie, and I'm picking up a Counterforce today I'll try and have ready.

Your machines are some of my highlights!! Can't wait to get reacquainted with Blue Note.
This year I will try and find more volunteers to hang around the pre-war booth so I can spend more time just playing pinball.

[Azatotht]

Here's my write-up on last year's show:
https://pinballnovice.blogspot.com/2024 ... iteup.html

Thank you, pretty cool !

[cait001]

I think all of the video tapes, audio tapes, and magazines that I was given last year have all been digitized and shared on my blog.
If anyone has other Canadian coin box issues (especially early ones, but you never know what we're missing,) or other important ephemera to be archived, get in touch. I'm currently looking for schematics from the 1940s 50s and 60s Gottliebs that I need.

[Hammerhead]

In someone related news, I just booked my room for Pinfest in Wasaga Beach May 31+June 1. That is the only pinball show I am going to this year. I have had to turn down offers to present at two others but they were in the states.

Sounds like a good option. How big is the Wasaga Beach show compared to Allentown ?

From Montreal it's almost the same distance as Allentown so again, good replacement option.

Given the number of Canadian enthusiasts that are skipping US shows this year, Ontario Pinfest may be a significant show this year.

[mdeslaur]

Is there an official Ontario Pinfest thread yet? There should be!

[Guard]

Is there an official Ontario Pinfest thread yet? There should be!

I sent a message to the OP if the Admin could change the title to put (if not consider Ontario Pinfast) in the thread title since we've already been discussing it here.

[Sparky]

Is there an official Ontario Pinfest thread yet? There should be!

I sent a message to the OP if the Admin could change the title to put (if not consider Ontario Pinfast) in the thread title since we've already been discussing it here.

Best to start a new thread. I am on it.

[semicolin]

Every now and then we are asked to do our part, even when it is personally inconvenient or unpleasant.

Sometimes that’s something as small as obeying the speed limit in a school zone, or getting a flu shot when you work with seniors. Maybe it’s filling up sandbags to help the neighbours with a flood. Sometimes it’s picking up arms and fighting on the other side of the ocean.

People get to choose which sacrifices that they make. Being able to choose which levels of sacrifice we make are freedoms that we enjoy.

Deciding to do my part to give up a small part of my hobby in order to help protect my neighbours here at home is a tiny sacrifice to make, and it’s an easy choice. It’s not politics. It’s putting Canada before pinball… and it’s barely that considering that I’ll be able to get my fill of pinball right here at home.

[cait001]

Very well said

[tartagliag]

NOPE!

tartagliag

[Zak Rose]

I will be there. I don't live in fear.

99% it will be no different than any other year. 1% chance I end up in American detention.

I'm good.with those odds.

[mrmikeman]

I will be there. I don't live in fear.

99% it will be no different than any other year. 1% chance I end up in American detention.

I'm good.with those odds.

Lol. While there is fear for some it’s not all about fear for most of us, it’s about choice.

Enjoy.