This past weekend, my wife, sister, brother-in-law and I traveled to Michigan, to Battle Creek, not for cereal, but for the Great Lakes Chip Show.

An advertisement stated that there would be Casino Chips, Tokens, Silver Strikes, Roulettes, Player Cards, Room Keys, Gift Cards, Ash Trays, Dice and much more.

When I saw they were going to have Silver Strikes, Player Cards and Room Keys, and with the show not far away in Michigan, I was interested.

I couldn’t believe a show of this nature would be held in our part of the country. I knew I would have no problem getting my brother-in-law to go with me since we would be passing a casino on the way to the show.

Pauline and Susan didn’t have anything better to do, so they went along. I dropped them off at the casino and traveled the few additional miles down the interstate, to the show’s location.

I had no idea what to expect.

I have never attended a show of this nature, other than The Casino Chip and Gaming Token Collectors Club Convention show in Las Vegas. I expected to find a limited number of items, especially in my area of interest. I was pleasantly surprised. Not only was the room filled with vendors, many had Silver Strikes and even more had slot cards and room key. While not large, the show was well organized. Everyone who attended seemed pleased with the array of items for sale.

I was glad to learn the show will be held again next year, possibly a couple weeks earlier.

With your $5 admission, you received a deck of cards, a key or card holder, and a special token was give to the first 175 attendees plus a ticket for a door prize drawing.

I only stayed for one door prize drawing, which I didn’t win.

My number probably was drawn the next time. The show was well worth the drive, even without the door prize. I purchased slot cards, which I did from memory, and only ended up with one duplicate. Also, I purchased one Silver Strike red cap, which will not be in play when I’m in Vegas in January. I forgot to bring my Silver Strike list, as I could probably have completed some sets. There’s always next year.

After I left the show, I went back to the casino, to meet-up with my wife, sister and brother-in-law. When I found them, we decided to eat because no one was winning, although Pauline was $2 ahead.

We chose the buffet, appealing because it was three dollars off with your player’s card. This casino had a great buffet, well worth the price, even without the discount.

After eating I made my small donation to the upkeep of the casino ($7), and we were on our way home shortly after 2 o’clock. The weather on the drive back to Dayton on Saturday was beautiful.

Now that Ohio is going to have casinos, possibly there will a show of this type here someday.

Sure hope they will have Silver Strike machines. Collecting is fun.

Mr. Hennessey may be contacted at pmhenn@sbcglobal.net