2009 Season for Craft and Gift Shows

The new season is already off to a great start with 3 exciting shows even before Easter.

First was March 7th - 8th in CHATHAM, Ont.
It was a pleasure to meet again many of the vendors we had been running into at all the pre-Christmas shows we attended. It was also a pleasure to introduce UPSET to a whole new set of enthusiastic gamers including JACLYN, LUCILLE, LESLEY, JO-ANN and ELLEN. Great players all and great meeting you.

Next up (April 4th - 5th) was the annual London Arts and Crafts Spring Show and Sale held at the Western Fairgrounds in London, Ontario. It was our first visit to this huge and impressive facility and the show was very well attended and lots of fun for everyone.
This was our first meeting with Britney whose mother had a nearby glass-vending booth and we would run into her and her twin sister Arnell at subsequent events.
Also Joanne J. went home with a game and later in the week e-mailed us saying she was playing it every day but she had a couple of queries regarding play. Glad to hear you’re enjoying the game so much, Joanne, and hope our reply cleared things up for you.

Maybe the highlight of the show came on the second day when siblings Tristan, Matthew and Rachel (above) sat down to play with father (and later, also, mother) looking on. The three teens already knew and enjoyed playing a game they simply called “Dice” which uses the conventional scoring system of ones, fives and three of a kind just like UPSET so they were very quick learners.
They also delighted in the new and different twists that UPSET introduces to the basic formula, especially when Tristan rolled U-P-S-E-T and knocked his brother and sister off the board. He was merciless and Rachel and Matthew were then determined to beat him down. Unfortunately for them his lead was now too great and he needed only 150 for the game and was all ready to start counting his chickens before they had actually hatched. Matthew and Rachel persevered and Tristan’s chips dwindled inexorably down. Finally Tristan lost the last of his chips and once again failed to get that final 150 and was knocked out.
Then began the final race to the finish which Rachel won and it was agreed a great time and a great game had been had by all. The three young people were enthusiastic and energetic (even exhausting!) but they were great sports and, with parents sharing their play, it was a family event such as our company, p.s.PlayGames, hopes to generate and sponsor and support.

And so on to KITCHENER and the FROM OUR HANDS TO YOURS CRAFT AND COLLECTIBLE SHOW on Good Friday and Easter Saturday, April 10 and 11th. Another very pleasurable event with lots of games going on.
Holly beat Susie and then another Sue lost to her daughter Heather.
Donna and Michelle had an exciting game and a young guy named Chris had an excellent game with Paul.
Max may have been styled Master of the Universe but he didn’t manage a win at UPSET at the show this time around. He went home the proud possessor of a new game, however, and, no doubt, he has now added UPSET success to his title.
Britney and Arnell played several times again and Mary and Jacob enjoyed a game.

Background: Britney and Arnell
Foreground: Alex, Derek and Stuart (hat)

Best of all, Derek, whose grandparents were also exhibiting at the show, brought over what seemed like most of his family to have a try at the game. These included Grandpa and Grandma and also Pam and Alex. Pam and Alex played a game themselves while Grandma was only able to spare a few brief moments with us. Grandpa, on the other hand, spent a while watching on and getting the hang of the game. As he explained, he was pretty sure he would be the one Derek ended up playing with the most and he wanted to be prepared. We wish Good Luck, Grandpa, but as nearly everyone in the family got themselves a game, you may find yourself playing a bit more than you expected. Enjoy - it’s GREAT to get UPSET!