When 91原创 resident Wes Heppell isn鈥檛 busy with his family鈥檚 century-old potato farm, or the related Hardbite all-natural potato chip company, the farmer and businessman estimates he devotes as much as three to four hours a night on his collectible cards hobby.

鈥淚t鈥檚 kind of my life鈥檚 passion,鈥� Heppell told the 91原创 Advance Times on Sunday, April 9, the third day of the Western Canada Collectibles Experience at the 91原创 Events Centre.

Heppell was one of more than 225 vendors on the floor for the sports collectors convention at the LEC.

鈥滻 say to all my customers, 90 per cent of the time, I鈥檓 on the other side of the table as a buyer,鈥� Heppell remarked.

He鈥檚 been a collector for 35 years.

鈥滻 also connect a lot with collectors who sent me want lists because I really enjoy the interaction with the collectors and the people in the hobby world,鈥� Hepell explained.

At another table, Steven Panet from Fastball Collectibles, who came all the way from Scarborough, Ont., was laying out a mix of items for sale.

鈥淚 brought a lot of different things, not just sports collectibles, but also movie and TV show collectibles,鈥� Panet said, along with some well-preserved 1940鈥檚-era Superman colour comics pages from the Toronto Star, in protective transparent covers.

鈥淚鈥檝e been doing this for about 25 years,鈥� Panet elaborated. 鈥淚鈥檓 also a collector, so I enjoy what I do, of course, and it鈥檚 a fun hobby.鈥�

Panet said he made the trip because of the person organizing the event.

鈥淭he promoter is a really good guy, his name is Dale, and it鈥檚 just a fun show,鈥� Panet commented.

That would be Dale Novakowski, of Bossa Shows, a 30-year hobby veteran, long-time show promoter and vintage expert.

Novakowski admitted to some concern about the timing of the event, held from Friday, April 7 to Sunday April 9.

鈥淗aving it on Easter weekend,we were a little concerned,鈥� he noted.

But, with the draw of athletic stars Denis Savard, Steve Shutt, Brendan Morrison, Andy Moog, and Charlene Labonte and related autograph opportunities, in addition to the many vendor tables, turnout was estimated in the thousands.

鈥漌e鈥檙e very happy,鈥� Novakowski smiled.

One of the biggest events of its kind in Canada, the 91原创 show boasted corporate participation by sports card industry leaders like Upper Deck, UltraPRO, Zephyr Epic, Classic Auctions, PSA, KSA, and COMC.

Tyler Dinwoodie, LEC associate director, event services, said the popularity of the show has meant it now happens twice a year.

鈥淲e go November and April every year,鈥� Dinwoodie related.

鈥淣ovember shows were becoming so successful, we decided there was a need for it to go twice a year. So we added April, and as you can see it鈥檚 been quite successful as well.鈥�

More pictures from the Easter weekend show can be viewed online at the .

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