Derby Daze/Stone Country Fair

Yesterday I went to the Stone Country Fair Show up in Shipshewana. Despite it being held in my home state of Indiana and only two hours away, I'd never gone due to a couple of factors: May is a hectic month for teachers and I don't really collect Stones. But two weeks ago I realized that my school responsibilities were in good shape, and since there was a division for Breyers (which I do collect), I decided to go.

It was a well organized and fun show held in a spacious show hall with great lighting.

Randy, one of the Stone employees, took this photo of me with my long time hobby friend, Pat Reed.

A view from the back of the show hall.

I had to laugh at how Stone had labeled this tub! (In hobby-ese, "bodies" refer to a piece that has been damaged somehow but is still good for those who like to repaint and customize the piece.)

Stone had lots of models for sale at the front of the show hall.

One of the reasons I don't have many Stones is because their cost is so high. They are beautiful models, but I just cannot see spending several hundred dollars for a plastic horse.

My first win of the day was having the oldest Stone model at the show. This is the drafter from the 1997 Equilocity. I won all those raffle tickets with it. Since I believe raffles are a form of gambling, I never buy raffle tickets, so this was my first time actually entering for something!

I did well at the show and came home with five pieces qualified for the National Show, plus I caught up with old friends and just enjoyed putting school aside and having a little fun and relaxation.