UXBRIDGE – Collectors, gamers and hobby enthusiasts will gather on March 7th from 12 to 4 p.m. at the Uxbridge VFW for the Heart of the Hobby event, a community-driven showcase of trading cards, video games, collectibles and local vendors.
Organizer Matt McGoldrick said the event was created to restore integrity and accessibility within the hobby community. He noted ongoing frustrations within the trading card world, such as the scalping controversies, emphasized the goal of creating an event where families and collectors can enjoy themselves without stress.
“Heart of the Hobby just kind of came to fruition by saying, hey, we need some good guys out here that are doing right by the communities,” according to McGoldrick. “We can all have fun and just come together for a no-stress event”.
The event will feature sports cards, Pokémon products, video games, coins, vinyl records, train collectibles and custom laser-engraved and 3D-printed items. One of the participating vendors, Itastic Creations, will have a laser engraving machine on site to complete custom orders. Colder Press from Hopedale and Bernat Antiques in Uxbridge, is also participating and donating one of its archive analog archive kits to help collectors organize their collections.
Every attendee who walks through the door will receive a raffle ticket, with drawings held at the end of the event. Rather than fixed prizes, winners will have options. Prizes may include sports boxes, Pokémon ETBs, video games and other collectibles.
In addition to shopping and raffles, the event will include an unofficial live play area for Pokémon and Magic players. Certified judges will be on site for people to play games without the need of purchasing cards.
Additionally, food will be available from “Wickid Wieners”, a new food truck from 2025 Quest of the Best winner “Big Daddy’s Bites“, known for its homemade chili and barbecue sauce. The Uxbridge VFW will also offer a cash bar for guests 21 and older.
Heart of the Hobby is still welcoming additional vendors and encouraging both experienced sellers and first-time participants to get involved. Interested vendors can reach out via Instagram and Facebook or by emailing [email protected]. As McGoldrick said it best, “We focus heavily on community.”
Admission is $5 per person, and children 7 and under are admitted free.
To hear the full interview about the Heart of the Hobby event, visit https://soundcloud.com/myfm1013/the-weekend-wind-down-heart-of. For updates and coverage, check out their Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61586522942607.
