I love it when I discover a truly unique event, and the Rocky Mountain Pinball Showdown & Gameroom Expo definitely falls into this category.
I’ve written about the game of pinball previously on HeidiTown, and Lyons Classic Pinball is one of the Mayor’s frequently recommended activities.
I don’t know why I like pinball so much because quite frankly I’m terrible at the game, but I really enjoy pinball machine art and I’m a sucker for nostalgia. To me, pinball is a reminder of a quieter time when the local malt shop was a gathering spot and poodle skirts were all the rage. Of course, pinball is anything but quiet – walk into Lyons Classic Pinball on a Friday night and the sound of balls hitting paddles will drown out all the stress of your week and any other thought that might be in your head.
This weekend, pinball wizards will gather at the Embassy Suites – Denver Tech Center for three days of pinball debauchery. There will be tournaments for all ages and abilities, and seminars from pinball celebrities like Jack Guarnieri, Jack Askey, Brian “Destruk” Smith, John Trudeau and more.
There will be over 100 pinball machines on display from a variety of companies and featuring many artists. The art on a pinball machine can be just as collectible as the game units themselves.
The photo to the right is of a pinball machine at the Penny Arcade in Manitou Springs. It was our 2008 trip to the town that originally introduced me to pinball machine art. The blue-haired lady is my Twitter avatar and has become a vital part of my HeidiTown.com branding.
There will be over 100 pinball machines that visitors can play for FREE during this expo.
Also attending this event will be exhibitors from around the country, including pinball sellers, buyers, repairers, specialists, and more. They will be on hand to show off their wares, skills and fanaticism.
The expo is also offering a screening of the new pinball documentary called “Special When Lit.”
This expo is for the entire family and will appeal to crazed pinball enthusiasts as well as those with a more casual interest in the game.
The Rocky Mountain Pinball Showdown & Gameroom Expo starts Friday, April 29 and goes through Sunday, May 1. For all the details visit them online at www.pinballshowdown.com. You can also find the event on Facebook here.