It’s finally time! The Blue & Gray Show, the largest beer can collector convention on the East Coast, will take place February 15-19 at the Ramada Inn in Fredericksburg, Virginia. This is THE must-attend event for any avid collector of beer cans, beer bottles, beer advertising, beer labels, beer trays, beer signs, or any items related to beer. There will also be a hospitality room… where cold beer will be served 24 hours a day! The B&G is a little bit of heaven right here on earth.
This will be an extra-special week for The Jackhammer. As shown in the vintage family photograph, above, Jackhammer (left) and Leroy (right) have been vacationing together for quite some time… the photo is circa 1970. Both Leroy and Jackhammer will be attending the entire B&G event, along with many of our notable associates such as the infamous “Turd Ferguson” and “Bruz,” the Malt Liquor King. Since my favorite part of the event is getting to socialize with other collectors, much of my time will be spent participating in the room-to-room trading.
To add a historical perspective, the Blue & Gray Show rose from humble beginnings to become one of the most popular and successful shows in the United States; it has been running for over 30 consecutive years! The “Blue & Gray” name was coined in 1981 to accurately describe this meeting of beer-paraphernalia collectors from the North and South. This is why Civil War soldiers and cannon are placed on all flyers and logos pertaining to this convention.
The location of the hotel, as well as the facility itself, is ideal for the show. It features plenty of rooms and a large banquet hall (where we vote for the “Beer Can of the Year,” hear distinguished guests lecture on beer can construction, throw up in the trashcans, etc.). There is also plenty of space for trading tables on the convention floor.
This event is the best possible place to acquire new beer cans and brewery collectibles… all of Jackhammer’s followers are warmly invited to attend and participate in the buying, selling, and trading. More information on this historic event can be found at: http://www.bluegrayshow.com/
