Cape Cod Scale Modeler's show.
The Cape Cod Scale Modelers Association’s 13th Annual Model Show, held on September 26, 2004. This was my second visit to this event, see here for my review from last year’s show.
Because I did attend last year, and my report is still available here on MM, I’ll only hit some highlights this time….
Registration: Last year it was fine, no real change this year. Entry fees are still $3 per model, to a max of $12 per person.
The Venue: Show was held in the same spot- in the dining room of the Community College. Entries were down form last year—there were about 230 models, down from 300 or so the previous year. As a result, there was plenty of room on the tables.
Competition:
There were 31 categories for entries. Three of them were for the juniors, who were broken up by age range. One category was for age 9 and under, one for 10-13, and one for 14-17. I still think this is a better way to break up the juniors than by subject matter- it gives the younger entrants a chance. Another nice touch is the junior categories were the first three on the list. The tables were in the front of the room, and they were the first awards given out at the end.
The categories were essentially the same as last year. Again, they were weighted towards the automotive categories. There were ten different car/truck categories, for example, but only two armor categories, pre- and post-1950, all scales. (There was also a category for Military-Wheeled.) There were only six categories for aircraft: Single & multi-engine 1/72 and smaller, single & multi 1/48 and larger, jet 1/72 and smaller, and jet 1/48 and up. There was no rotary class, and no rigged/multi-wing class, for example.
I think the organizers may need to rethink some of their categories for next year. Some of the truck categories had very few entries, and in two of them all of the entries were by one person. Meanwhile, a couple of tables away, there were 26 entries in the “Aircraft, Single Engine, 1/48 scale and larger”, and over a dozen in 1/72 scale single engine.
I realize that it is hard to predict what the entries will be, how there will be in any class. However, I think they should have a spare trophy pack or two, so they can split a category if needed. (That’s what my club does- we have spare generic set of awards in case we need them.)
There was a “No Sweeps” rule- but entrants are allowed to take 2 out of the 3 places in a category. There seemed to be more repeat winners this year- than last, but that’s just my perception. I must say I agree with our Editor here-- I think the more traditional definition of “No Sweeps”, where entrants are allowed to take only place in a category, is a better way to do things.
Vendors: The vendors appeared to be similar in number and variety of offerings compared to last year. Personally, I was pleased to see several tables were second-hand kit dealers.
Raffle: The raffle was run the same as last year, but it seemed to me that there was more car stuff this year. All of the other comments from last year still apply:
“If I were to run the raffle, I’d make some changes. First, I’d run it in flights, so all the choice items aren’t gone in the first half dozen draws. Second, I’d announce a schedule, so that people knew when it was OK to leave the building. I was reluctant to take my son to lunch, for fear they’d call more numbers while we were gone. “
Judging and Awards: I’d sum it up as similar to last year- it seemed to go smoothly. The awards ceremony started on time, and went quickly.
Report Card:
Excellent: Directions and signage, overall organization, encouragement of juniors.
Very Good: Venue, friendliness of host club
Good: Vendors, raffle, awards.
Fair: Armor and aircraft categories, sweeps rule.
I’ll close this out with one final item: The host club had ordered a number of pizzas to provide lunch to the contest staff and vendors- the folks who couldn’t really leave for lunch. They ended up with a lot of extra food, so they made an announcement inviting everyone to have a slice or two. This generosity typifies the friendliness of the organizers….!