COMIC book, toy and record collectors in Bendigo will have another chance to indulge their passion this weekend.
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After the success of the inaugural event in March, the Bendigo Record, Comic Book and Toy Fair returns to the Bendigo Exhibition Centre on Sunday.
Organiser and avid record and comic book collector Peter Pascoe said a strong turnout at the first fair convinced him there was sufficient interest in collectables in Bendigo to make it a biannual event.
Supported by the City of Greater Bendigo, the fair is also a fundraiser for Phoenix FM.
“The first one was in March at the Kangaroo Flat Leisure Centre and we had about 500 paying customers come through the door – that was more successful than I anticipated,” Mr Pascoe said.
“We had just over 20 vendors, we’re getting close to 40 vendors at this one, so it should be twice as big.
“In terms of what’s going to be there, records are still the most popular, but we get different groups who come along specifically for the comics and the toys.”
While Mr Pascoe pointed to a mainstream revival in vinyl record sales, their popularity among some record collectors had never waned.
Comic book collectors are in for a real treat with specialist Phantom and DC and Marvel back issue dealers making the trip to Bendigo.
There will also be some new attractions, according to Mr Pascoe.
“Something we didn’t have at the first one is this time we will have some artists and writers from the graphic novel scene in Melbourne who are coming up and selling some of their original material,” he said.
“There will also be a Dalek and a Tardis on exhibition for Doctor Who lovers which will be pretty cool.”
Comic book and record fairs have been a staple of the Melbourne landscape for decades, but had not run in Bendigo for about 20 years until being relaunched by Mr Pascoe earlier this year.
He says collectors who would normally be a bit hesitant about travelling to Melbourne and elsewhere could now engage in their hobby on home soil.
The Bendigo Record, Comic Book and Toy Fair runs from 10am to 4pm at the Bendigo Exhibition Centre.
Entry is $4, with children under 14 free if accompanied by an adult.
