Very Disappointed in Mass show

[Chuck Gall]

Recently I attended my 2nd military show in Massachusetts. We drove 45 minutes and arrived at a fair time, 0930. We paid what I thought was a lot of money to get in $15.

So, we go in and there were about 40-50 tables set up. We decided to do a walk thru to see what there was, this went well and we talked to a few venders and saw a few things we were interested in but wanted to see what was there before committing to anything. About 45 minutes into we went back to a few tables where we had seen items we were interested in 

buying. This is when we saw that a lot of the venders (for a lack of better words) were packing up their gear. Within 45 minutes the place was about half full as it was when we came in. So, the pieces we were interested in buying were all packed up and the show was ending.

 

I expected more for $15 from the event holders and more from the sellers. I felt like the show was only set up for the people holding tables and everyone else was just, excepted. I have run a show before in the past, (not military but much like it) and what we relied on to make it a good show was foot traffic. That was where most collectors would more their collectables. It is unlikely I will attend this show again. I hope to find another nearby. Is anyone aware of other shows in New England? I am not bashing the folks who ran the show, but it could have been done much better, very little foot traffic at all.

 

Sorry just venting and advising...

 

Chuck

 

[USMCR79]

What Town/City in Massachusetts? There are a few shows and some of them  turned out pretty good for me. Was it the Lowell Show?

 

Bill

[KurtA]

9:30 is rather late for arriving at a military show.  The one I’m pretty sure you are talking about started at 7:30.     By 11am or so, the oxygen totally goes out of these one day shows.
Just get to the show within a half hour of when it opens.  
 

[Chuck Gall]

I'm sure you are correct. I am new to the military collecting, formally L.E.O. collecting. 

It was in Boxboro, it just doesn't make sense to set up all your stuff and leave 3 hours later. But if that's the way it is, now I know.

 

 

[Rakkasan187]

Chuck,

 

It may also have had to do with the Patriots playing that early afternoon and the guys wanted to get home before the game as well as the weather...

 

The venue may have also had an afternoon event for that day.

 

My father would go to the show from Salem, NH and I recall when the Patriots were in the playoffs during those times he would tell me that the show ended early due to the games...I do know that the hall that used to have the show (one of the hotels) in Boxboro, they would sometimes book an event on the same day/weekend and the ASMIC show guys would have to be out by noon time or so...

 

I went once when I was home of leave and it was a pretty impressive show. Got a nice 187th Airborne Ike jacket from the show as well as some other things. Met many of the forum members on here at that show... 

 

Hope the next one turns out better for you

 

Best regards

 

Leigh 

 

 

[Scarecrow]

Hi Chuck,

 

I have been going to this show for many years and to echo Kurt A's remark, 9:30 is pretty late to arrive, as the door opens for the general public at 7:30. So basically other buyers had a 2 hour head start on you.  Again this show is basically all over by 10:30-11:00, especially if there is a Pats game.  Show does usually generate a good amount of foot traffic. Over the years I have been able to pick up some pretty nice items. In fact this past show I picked up a very nice and reasonably priced WWII Officer's crush visor cap.  I would say the typical buyer/browser routine would be arrive at 7:30 and out by 9:00-9:30.  That's maybe why you didn't see a lot of foot traffic.  It is a one day Sunday show so many have family commitments for the rest of the day. I know $15 admission can be a bit pricey but the Boxboro Regency has raised the hall rental cost quite a bit in the last 2 years.  I have absolutely no skin in the game but I know Scott Kraska from Bay State Militaria well and for my  2 cents he runs a pretty good show and spends a fair amount of his time each month putting together and organizing it.  Besides in this day and age it's pretty much "the only game in town" when it comes to Massachusetts militaria shows.  I might suggest giving it another try, just come earlier and maybe we can meet up there one of these months.  P.S. there is no February show, Scott tries to put this on monthly but he is subject to hall availability.

 

Paul (aka Scarecrow)

[M1A1-1944]

Did the show ad list both opening and closing hours?

[Scarecrow]

14 hours ago, M1A1-1944 said:

Did the show ad list both opening and closing hours?

The ad for the show list the hours as 7:30-11:00  (with Dealer setup at 7:00)

[USMCR79]

Do they still have the Lowell VFW show anymore? A lot of deals were made in the parking lot an hour before the show started.

 

Bill

[Scarecrow]

4 hours ago, USMCR79 said:

Do they still have the Lowell VFW show anymore? A lot of deals were made in the parking lot an hour before the show started.

 

Bill

Hi Bill,

 

The Lowell VFW Show has not existed for quite a few years now.  When that show folded the tent there was a void for a couple of years.  Then Scott Kraska of Bay State Militaria started the Boxboro Show in an effort to fill that void.  The Boxboro show is now much larger than the Lowell Show use to be.

 

Part of the reason that the old Lowell Show ended was as you mentioned a lot of dealing was done in the parking lot before the show and this caused quite a few of the dealers to not rent tables in the show, as setting up shop in the parking lot was free.  Because there were fewer and fewer dealers actually in the building buyers were not paying the admittance fee to attend as they could usually find what they were looking for in the parking lot before the show.  I was a regular attendee at the Lowell show and towards the end the parking lot was like a militaria flea market.  The organizers of the show just decided it wasn't worth it anymore.  That's what I've been told anyway.

[Chuck Gall]

I'm not saying I am right and they are wrong, I am just use to different types of shows then these. I will get there earlier next time.

 

Paul,

 

I have been involved in several LEO shows which are use to be 2-3 times a year. The gap drew more people in my opinion. Regardless I probably won't get to a show until the Spring. I usually look for patches and small bits and pieces, limited room space, lol.

 

Thanks,

Chuck

USMC 79-83 0311

[manayunkman]

Get a table at the show so you get in early.

 

Whats LEO.

[agate hunter]

Law enforcement officer for LEO? 

We have a monthly gun show in Portland (Oregon Arms Collectors) that is the last Sunday of the month usually, 7am to 12 noon. Very similar hours to this show it sounds like. Most of the action happens in the first couple hours, like most military shows. I feel like I've missed everything if I am even an hour late. You just have to get there early. 

 

Foot traffic varies at any show. Often times it's just a dealer get together for these small shows, which works great for socializing and buying. Just have to take it for what it is and enjoy it and have fun.

[aefcav]

Chuck, sorry you had a bad experience I know Scott puts a lot into this show. As a show promoter here in NJ our doors open at 6 am for dealers 8 am for the public and dealers are packing up at lunch time, that’s one of the good things about these 1 day shows it doesn’t kill your whole day.

As for the gate price putting on these shows is not cheap with hall prices and insurance premiums but I hope you give it another chance just get there earlier.

 

Mitch fenton, Meadowland Militaria 

[268th C.A.]

And to add to this, I have collected for a long time, take this to the bank, if you see it buy it then, dont walk the show and think it will be there when you get back. live and learn. you could have left the show with something you wanted. It either got packed up or some one else got it. 

[MA-Collect00]

The shiw(s) I’ve attached to are …

Western Mass- The Big E Fairgrounds - no more shows there.

Marlborough Mass - Eagle Shows  promotes it and it will be their third or fourth show this March.  
Boxboro - small but get there early as other’s stated. Really for any show. 

I’m a newbie to military collecting and the members here are helpful with their input or links. 

[MA-Collect00]

Apologies for the typos ,typing hand has a couple broken fingers. Took a spill last week on the ice. 

It should have been - The show(s) I’ve attended are …

Western Mass- The Big E Fairgrounds - no more shows there.

Marlborough Mass - Eagle Shows  promotes it and it will be their third or fourth show this March.  
Boxboro - small but get there early as other’s stated. Really for any show. 

I’m a newbie to military collecting and the members here are helpful with their input or links. 

[USMCR79]

On 1/20/2026 at 2:16 PM, Scarecrow said:

Hi Bill,

 

The Lowell VFW Show has not existed for quite a few years now.  When that show folded the tent there was a void for a couple of years.  Then Scott Kraska of Bay State Militaria started the Boxboro Show in an effort to fill that void.  The Boxboro show is now much larger than the Lowell Show use to be.

 

Part of the reason that the old Lowell Show ended was as you mentioned a lot of dealing was done in the parking lot before the show and this caused quite a few of the dealers to not rent tables in the show, as setting up shop in the parking lot was free.  Because there were fewer and fewer dealers actually in the building buyers were not paying the admittance fee to attend as they could usually find what they were looking for in the parking lot before the show.  I was a regular attendee at the Lowell show and towards the end the parking lot was like a militaria flea market.  The organizers of the show just decided it wasn't worth it anymore.  That's what I've been told anyway.

My good friend Tom Fitzgerald was a regular attendee of the Lowell show and he did well there for he and I.