Gathering en masse for huge Expo

Even in the boldest predictions that the K-Town Collectables Expo organizers - Will Rice, Mike Brathwaite, and Eric Ravenelle - could make about how this year’s show at the Mohawk Bingo would go, they would not have thought it would be as big and busy as it was on Sunday.

There were so many people, in fact, that a huge line formed as the doors opened at 10 a.m. The line, which went until the end of the bingo hall parking lot at times, moved quickly, but only died down two hours or so after the start of the event.

“I knew it was going to be busy. I knew it was going to be popular. But never did I think it was going to be like this. It’s just been constant traffic in and out all day,” said Ravenelle.

The organizers said almost 2,100 people came by the Mohawk Bingo to see what the over 100 vendors and other booths had to offer.

“There were a lot of people who said it was their first time. They always heard about it, but they never came. So, they decided to come and check it out,” said Ravenelle, who said that word of mouth and proximity to the EXO bus system were the two biggest factors in getting new people in the door.

“They say they’ve been to other shows, but nothing compares to what we offer, which is really nice to hear,” said Ravenelle.

That 2,100 people figure is the most they have ever had come in on a single day of the event, a big accomplishment for what was in the past a two-day event that was in a new venue this year.

“All the vendors are happy. There are people who are buying stuff. It’s not just people coming to walk around, they’re buying as well,” said Ravenelle.

Indeed, most booths had at least a few people taking a look at what they had to offer, whether it was retro toys, sports memorabilia, collectibles, trading card game products, or their own art.

Kahnawake’s own local game store, Astronomical Cards and Comics, had its own booth, set up to showcase the rare Magic the Gathering cards they had in stock, plus booster packs of that and other games and a comics box.

“I’ve been actually an original member of the K-Town Expo. I started off with just a shoe box with the cards when they first started at the Knights of Columbus,” said Wihse Delisle, co-owner of Astronomical.

Now 14 months into opening his own dream business, Delisle was very happy to share his passion with the hundreds of people who walked by the booth.

“I like this venue and the one-day event more, because now you’re getting more people, and they can’t miss it,” said Delisle.

Indeed, the Mohawk Bingo is a little more accessible if you are coming from outside the community, which many people did for the occasion.

That included Chris De Melo, who had a booth to sell vintage toys, something he has done for the last four years at K-Town.

Like Delisle, he was a big fan of the new venue and of the number of people who were there on Sunday.

“It’s actually a really good turnout. It’s actually very impressive,” said De Melo, who added that the size of the venue was perfect for the amount of people there.

There was also an emphasis on artists this year, with local artists like Megan Kanerahtenha:wi Whyte and Teiowí:sonte Thomas Deer, as well as other Indigenous artists like children’s book author and Star Wars fan Arihhonni David from Akwesasne.

“I’m really happy I came because it’s a really, really awesome turnout. It’s my first year coming here. I’m happy it was as a vendor, but it would be great to come again as a guest and actually explore,” said David.

Along with his two books, Who Will Win? and The Good Game, he was also selling prints of things like Clone Troopers, horror movie-style posters, and Mohawk superhero Kahhori.

“In person, I can sell books, I can sell artwork of Haudenosaunee legends, but an event like this, I can actually sell my super nerdy specific stuff,” said David.

“People don’t know that stuff if I’m going to an art show or whatever, but people will know what I’m talking about here, which is great.”

Along with the vendors were many cosplayer groups: Star Trek cosplayers the Klingon Assault Group, Star Wars group the 501st Legion, and the Dr. Who Society of Canada.

There was also a half-and-half, with $350 won by Adam Delisle. The other half of the money, along with $150 donated by Rice himself, was given to the Purple Ribbon Walk foundation.

And if the day was not busy enough, one could enjoy some bouncy castle time, face painting, and even a wrestling show - the details of which can be found in our sports section.

Ravenelle said that while the Mohawk Bingo is not locked in as the venue for next year quite yet, all the signs point to a return at some point in the future - including discussions of a potential second one-day show.

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