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curtis
03-02-2009, 06:32 AM
Got this email the other day. While slightly off topic, Amiga can definitely be considered vintage. Come one out and show support for our systems!

Curtis
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The Arlington Museum of Information Technology (AMIT) is sponsoring the first annual Vintage Computer Fair Light - South to be held in conjunction with The 15th annual Antique Science & Retro-Tech Show And Swap Meet. The combined event will be held Saturday, March 14, 2009 at the Ramada Hotel, Irving, Texas, 4440 W. Airport Freeway. from 10:00 am to 4:00 pm. Admission is $5.

AMIT Director Gil Carrick said that this combined event should attract many visitors who are interested in displaying their vintage computing artifacts or in buying, selling, swapping or just seeing these artifacts. Vintage Computer Fairs have been held in other parts of the country, but this will be the first one in the South. Since this is the first of these events in the region, it will not feature any speakers and will only last one day – hence the term “lite.”

Antique Science & Retro-Tech Show And Swap Meet organizer Skip Solberg said that for a decade and a half the event has been a favorite spot for fans of this antique gear to show, sell and swap their stuff.

Visitors interested in displaying or selling should contact Skip Solberg at 817-994-9213 or email solberg2@airmail.net for pricing and availability of table space.

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If you’d like more information about the Retro Tech Meet, or to schedule an interview with Skip Solberg, please call 817-467-0368, email solberg2@airmail.net or see the web site at http://www.slideruleguy.com/tx-1q09.htm.

If you’d like more information about the Vintage Computer Fair, or to schedule an interview with Gil Carrick, please call 817-994-9213, email amit@tx.rr.com or see the web site at http://amit-tx.org/.

--
A. G. (Gil) Carrick, Director
Arlington Museum of Information Technology
1012 Portofino Drive
Arlington, TX 76012

Darrin
03-02-2009, 08:47 AM
Bugger! If it was in Beaumont. TX then I'd nip over with some Amigas, a Minimig, C-One and a C128.

Where on Earth is Irving?

Bazzaq
03-02-2009, 09:43 AM
Bit too far for me to travel :crazy:

Darrin
03-02-2009, 09:56 AM
Bazzaq wrote:
Bit too far for me to travel :crazy:

The Mersey ferry doesn't run to Irvin? :-P

curtis
03-02-2009, 11:12 AM
According to mapquest, you're only 305 miles south east of Irving. Just hop on I45 and follow it to Dallas, then turn left on 183 and you're there!

Heck, I'm in Amarillo and it's about the same distance and I'll be there.

If you have to bring the wife and while you're at the show, give her the car keys and 1 credit card for her to go shopping in the big city! : )

Darrin
03-02-2009, 01:55 PM
curtis wrote:
According to mapquest, you're only 305 miles south east of Irving. Just hop on I45 and follow it to Dallas, then turn left on 183 and you're there!

Heck, I'm in Amarillo and it's about the same distance and I'll be there.

If you have to bring the wife and while you're at the show, give her the car keys and 1 credit card for her to go shopping in the big city! : )

Ah cheers. That puts it into perspective. I worked out of Venice (Louisiana) for a year and that was 298 miles away.

So that's I10 West towards Houston, I45 North and 183. I'll check with the wife when I get back from Brazil, it might be fun to meet up with a bunch of retro fans. :-)

curtis
03-03-2009, 07:12 AM
Now you're talking!

And yes, it is quite fun. I attended a couple of the Vintage Computer Festivals in the Oakland area and they were a blast! Totally geek city.

Even got to see the A500 wedged into an Executive 64 case. Weird!?!?!?!

So, if anyone is within 300 miles, you really don't have an excuse for not coming. Gas is not totally unaffordable.

The only thing I would recommend is finding another hotel. From what I've seen and heard the rooms at that hotel are pretty run down. Personally, I'm looking at the La Quinta.

Darrin
03-03-2009, 07:25 AM
Cheers for the info.

I can't promise anything as I've been away from home for 4 weeks on business and the wife might have some plans, but if I'm free then it sounds like fun.

I'm supposed to be working in Houston for a few days and if I can arrange for the Friday then I'll already be halfway there!

LaPTuNa
03-03-2009, 10:35 AM
Hmmm, should I venture out of my cave? It's a 45min drive from Greenville. I wonder if they need any exhibits? Lord knows I have enough.

curtis
03-03-2009, 10:50 AM
Do it!!! I dare ya!

I would bet Gil would be ecstatic to have an Amiga display.

Claw22000
03-04-2009, 12:22 AM
Wish I could go but coming from St. Paul MN is just too far.

Claw

curtis
03-04-2009, 06:47 AM
Yeah, 1000 miles is a bit far.

However, Southwest Airlines flies from St. Paul. Trip would run about $334 round trip!

Just a thought.

curtis
03-16-2009, 07:45 AM
Well, I'm back from the Fair and overall, I am very happy with what I saw. However, there was not a single Amiga anywhere on the floor.

Granted the majority of the show was given over to vintage electronics and calculators, but there were several "pure" computer tables, mine included.

Talking to Gil, he said next year he's going to try to move the venue to UT Arlington and have it seperate from the electronics swap meet.

Maybe next year we'll have a little more notice and someone can put together a display of some sort.

Curtis

Darrin
03-16-2009, 08:16 AM
Sorry I couldn't make it, but I got tied up with work and they've had me driving back and forth from Houston to Lafayette all week (and I'm doing the same again this week).

Now where's Arlington? :-)

murple
03-16-2009, 10:14 AM
I got all excited until I realized this was in Texas and not the *real* Arlington here in Virginia.

curtis
03-16-2009, 05:42 PM
Arlington, Texas is between Dallas and Fort Worth.

That sounds like a real fun weekend, Houston to Lafayette, and back, and all over again! NOT!!!!

Oh well, maybe next year.

curtis
03-16-2009, 05:42 PM
Hey! Don't tell the Texas Rangers or, soon, the Dallas Cowboys Arlington, TX isn't the real Arlington! : )

Darrin
03-16-2009, 08:12 PM
curtis wrote:
Arlington, Texas is between Dallas and Fort Worth.

That sounds like a real fun weekend, Houston to Lafayette, and back, and all over again! NOT!!!!

Oh well, maybe next year.

Actually this week I have this: Lake Charles to Houston, to Lake Charles, to Houston, to Lafayette, to Houston to Lake Charles to Houston to Rio. Thankfully I'm flying the last leg of the trip! :crazy: