1996 Jordan and Rodman card part of Spencers collection
BELLINGHAM, Wash. — Collectors, hobbyists, and trading card fans from across the Pacific Northwest are expected to gather in downtown Bellingham this Saturday as the Bellingham Card Show returns to the historic Hotel Leo Ballroom with more than 50 vendors scheduled to participate.
The event, taking place May 16 at Hotel Leo Ballroom located at 1224 Cornwall Ave., will feature a large variety of trading cards, collectibles, graded sports cards, Pokémon merchandise, and tabletop gaming products. Organizers say the show is designed for everyone from longtime collectors and serious investors to families and newcomers simply curious about the hobby.
Promotional material for the event shows vendors carrying products connected to Pokémon, Magic: The Gathering, Yu-Gi-Oh!, One Piece, Upper Deck sports cards, Disney Lorcana, and other popular trading card franchises that have seen a major rise in popularity in recent years.
One local vendor participating in the event is Spencer C, a Bellingham resident operating under the name “Spencer’s Collectables.” Spencer told Bellingham Metro News that his booth will focus heavily on graded sports cards from multiple decades and several major sports.
“My stand will be in the sports card section of the Ballroom at the Hotel Leo,” he said. “I have a wide variety of graded sports cards from the 80’s all the way to today. I have cards from most sports including Baseball, Basketball, Football and Hockey.”
Spencer said collecting has become something much bigger than just buying and selling cards, describing it as a longtime hobby shared between himself and his father.
“My father and I bought and graded these cards as it has been a lifelong hobby for both of us,” he said.
The resurgence of trading card culture has become increasingly visible across Washington state and the broader Pacific Northwest over the last several years. What was once viewed primarily as a childhood pastime has evolved into a booming collectibles market involving professional grading companies, livestream auctions, conventions, online marketplaces, and investment-focused collectors willing to spend thousands of dollars on rare cards and sealed products.
Pokémon cards in particular have experienced explosive growth in popularity since the pandemic era, with certain rare cards selling nationally for significant amounts of money depending on rarity, condition, and grading. Sports cards have also seen renewed interest as collectors pursue rookie cards, autographs, vintage sets, and limited-edition releases tied to professional athletes.
Events like the Bellingham Card Show have helped create gathering spaces where collectors can meet face-to-face rather than strictly online. Attendees often use these shows not only to purchase merchandise, but also to trade cards, discuss market trends, showcase collections, and introduce younger generations to the hobby.
Social media promotion surrounding Saturday’s event has already generated attention online, with organizers describing the Hotel Leo gathering as one of the larger card-focused events currently taking place in the region. Video previews shared online show tables filled with Pokémon products, graded cards, collector accessories, and various sealed trading card products expected to be available during the show.
Admission is listed at $10 cash at the door. Children ages 7 and under will be admitted free when accompanied by an adult.
The Bellingham Card Show is also expected to return later this year for additional dates scheduled for June 27 and August 1, continuing what organizers hope will become a recurring destination event for collectors in downtown Bellingham.
For many vendors attending, the event represents more than just business. It is also about preserving a hobby that blends nostalgia, community, competition, and collecting into something that continues attracting people of all ages.
“This show has everything,” one promotional post for the event states. “Whether you’re a serious collector or just getting started.”
Note: This article is not a paid promotion or sponsored advertisement. Bellingham Metro News independently covers local events, businesses, and community happenings throughout Whatcom County.
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