FROM STAFF REPORTS The Cranston Sports Card Show™ (CSCS™) is off to its grandest debut in 46 years since it premiered in 1976. It has been an annual event on the Super Bowl Weekend since Terry Bradshaw and the Pittsburgh Steelers took on Roger Staubach and the Dallas Cowboys in Super Bowl X but this year is the first year it will not be on a Super Bowl weekend.

There is no sport collecting show in New England that comes near the longevity of this sports collecting classic. It is older than the National and one of the top 5 oldest shows in the country. It still maintains its theme as an affordable event for everyone, including collector and dealer, with proceeds benefiting the charity of 2 churches which is the Immaculate Conception Church in Cranston, for helping those in need and Sts. Vartanatz Armenian Youth Federation athletes in Providence, who travel to a Olympic style National competition on Labor Day weekend every year, and the Coventry High School Hall of Fame.

This year, a 4th charity has been added as long time collector of racing memorabilia, John Marandola, has donated most of his collection of replica and diecast cars to be put in the shows silent auction with proceeds going to his charity, Little Sisters of the Poor in Pawtucket, and to the sponsored charities as well. John has been a lifelong supporter of the show and has been a frequent guest throughout the decades.

So far as to autograph guests include father son duo Dave and Mike Stenhouse. Dave was the first rookie pitcher to start an All-Star game and only Mark Fidrych 25 years later was able to duplicate the feat. Mike was a two-time All American and Captain of the Harvard baseball team and was a first round draft pick. They will appear on Saturday 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. and autograph prices range from $3-$7.50 depending on items. Baseball’s last 30 game winner, Denny McLain, will be signing autographs all day on Saturday and be offering personal memorabilia for sale as well with more guests to follow.

It is taking place at its recently adopted new location, which is the Coventry High School Gym, 40 Reservoir Rd., Coventry. This new location can support the shows rapid growth to which the show promoter hopes to be at the facilities capacity of 250 tables in 2025.

What you can expect to see for purchase besides modern and vintage sports cards will be RI Reds hockey memorabilia, incredible autographs, vintage equipment in all sports, graded cards, pennants, non sports cards, tobacco cards, wax boxes and packs, hobby supplies, vintage photo’s, yearbooks, programs, ticket stubs, regional issues, comic books, and a whole lot more.

Newly added collectibles on the show floor will be Pokemon by several dealers and for the very first time popular current gaming, videos, and toys by Andre Proctor and Tino Lema who run 2 Guys Toys and More from the shows home base in Coventry.

The hot ticket items from last year’s show included just about anything in current product such as basketball cards, Shohei Ohtani rookies or rookies from any sport along with Pokémon. Vintage is always strong. The show promotes Rhode Island sports which is rich in its heritage going back in professional sports to the 1870’s when Providence had a baseball team in the National League and won two World Championship titles within their short period of existence. Entrance to the show and show hours are as follows;

Date: Sat. Sun Feb. 5 Feb. 6, 2022. Time: Saturday 9-5, Sunday 8:30 – 3:00 admission is $5 each day & $7 for a 2 day pass. Say, Put me on your mailing list and get a $1 discount off your admission on non discounted pricing. Discounted admission for seniors 65 & older, Veterans, and children under 12 is $3, Children 5 and under are free.

A very special popular feature being offered for the second time will be a $20 early bird admission for 8a.m. on Saturday for collectors who would like to get on the show floor before the doors open to the public. A collector will have early access to collectibles for one hour without the crowds. “I believe this was an industry first when we first did it 2 years ago and it will continue in 2022 because of its popularity” said Mike Mangasarian. You can buy tickets and sign up for the card pitching contest here: https://givebutter.com/CSCS2022

Attendance is expected to exceed the 2,200 admissions paid in 2020 and reaching 3,000 is not out of the question.

Heavy discounted rates for overnight accommodations are available from the Hampton Inn, Best Western, and Super 8 for $75 a night for 2 people and includes full breakfast and other amenities just a few miles from the School. If anyone needs the special rates they need to contact Mike Mangasarian for details. Email: MikeMango 401-601-5703

There will be raffles and door prizes going on all day for Saturday and in the morning on Sunday and in the raffle. Through the generosity of many of our dealers this auction is possible but in particular autograph expert authenticator Rich Bond has offered all of these items once again which we are eternally grateful for;

Pete Rose and Wade Boggs posed autographed 8x10 photo; Cal Ripken, Jr. autographed hardcover book; Bobby Orr autographed hardcover book; Raphael Devers vintage signed 2015 Futures Game 11x14 photo; Patriots linebacker Dont’a Hightower 2019 signed insert card; Patriots rookie 2021 Rhamondre Stevenson signed insert card.

Raffle drawing is 12 noon on Sunday and one ticket gets you an opportunity in all items in the raffle. You can, also, buy raffle tickets online and see pictures of these items by clicking this link, https://givebutter.com/cscsraffle if you cannot attend because you live at an extended distance from the show. Minimal shipping charges will apply.