September 2003 - The 19th Annual International Model & Hobby Expo will open its doors to the public on Saturday and Sunday, September 13 and 14, 2003 from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. More than 250 exhibitors in over 300 booths will be on hand to demonstrate the latest and greatest hobby products including radio control, model railroading, plastic and die-cast models, planes, boats, slot cars, rockets, science and educational items, and much more. The Expo is the largest North American model and hobby event for hobby enthusiasts to see and learn about the newest action products from on-site hobby experts and professionals. Many exhibitors will be selling to the public for the 1st time.
The Expo offers 15,000 sq. ft. of hot RC action including car, boat, and airplane races, 6,500 sq. ft. of model railroad layouts with all scales represented, and four free projects for kids to make and take home. Experts will be on hand to insure projects are successfully completed.
The popular Outdoor Channel's "Inside RC" television show will sponsor the 1st Annual RC Triathlon - three legs of competitive flying, boating, and car racing pit industry racers against one and other. Host Krista Gibson will be on hand for autographs.
Also making a public appearance to celebrate the Centennial of Flight will be the ½ scale reproduction of the 1903 Wright brothers' flyer sporting a 20.5 ft. wingspan.
The Spiderman monster truck, originally driven by Bobby Zee, will dominate and amaze! Be sure to bring a camera!
A special "Passport Program" is offered for scouts in uniform, featuring a collectible patch for those completing the program. Passport information is available in the lobby.
Admission is $8 for adults and $3 for children 6 to 12 years of age. A $20 "family admission pack" admits two adults and includes up to four children. Admission is free for organized youth groups in uniform and to military, firefighters and police with identification.
Get with the action and join the fun at the 19th Annual International Model & Hobby Expo, Saturday, September 13 and Sunday, September 14, 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. For more information, visit www.ihobbyexpo.com or call 847-740-1111.
SCHEDULE OF PUBLIC EVENTS
Saturday, September 13, 2003 and Sunday, September 14, 2003
Special Events:
"1st Annual RC Triathlon" � sponsored by the Outdoor Channel's "Inside RC" Get in on the action and cheer for industry racers in this extreme radio control challenge event. Top racers compete in three legs of the triathlon including RC cars, boats, and planes in elimination rounds on Saturday, and the semi-finals and championship rounds on Sunday. "Inside RC" host Krista Gibson and producer Jim Broberg of Du-Bro Products will be on hand filming the race for inclusion in the "Inside RC" TV program series.
Saturday RC Triathlon Elimination Rounds are scheduled as follows:
Cars: 10:00 a.m., 10:15 a.m., 10:30 a.m., 12:00 p.m., 12:15 p.m., 12:30 p.m.Boats:1:00 p.m., 1:15 p.m., 1:30 p.m., 2:00 p.m., 2:15 p.m., 2:30 p.m., 2:45p.m.
Planes 3:00 p.m., 3:15 p.m., 3:30 p.m., 4:00 p.m., 4:15 p.m., 4:30 p.m.
Sunday Semi-Final Rounds
Cars 11:00 a.m., 11:15 a.m.Boats 12:00 p.m., 12:15 p.m.
Planes 1:00 p.m., 1:15 p.m.
Sunday RC Triathlon Championships
Boats 2:00 p.m.Cars 2:15 p.m
Planes 2:30 p.m.
The "RC" Triathlon Masters of Ceremonies are:
Car Racing - Scott Ernst of S&N Trackside Hobbies, Brookfield, WI
Plane Racing - Walt Thorne of Walt's Hobbies, Syracuse, NY
Boat Racing - Steve Goodreau of Horizon Hobby, Champaign. IL
MAKE AND TAKE PROJECT AREAS � Make your Own Project and Take it Home! Experts on hand to help.
"PLASTIC MODELS"
Modeler Extraordinaire Jim Stein leads a group of volunteers from the International Plastic Modelers Society help kids to make the hottest of plastic models. Top model manufacturers Racing Champions 2 and Revell-Monogram provide the quality products.
"ELECTRIC CAR MAKE AND TAKE"
Join international model hobby manufacturer, Tamiya America, Inc., to make a high performance non-track 4-wheel drive vehicle of the future.
"FLYING HIGH"
Make your own flyer with Academy of Model Aeronautics experts Project materials provided by Sig Manufacturing on Saturday and Midwest Products on Sunday.
"TRAINS AND TRACKS"
Model railroading is a multi-generational hobby. Bring your family so the kids can join members of the National Model Railroad Association and make their own collectible from Athearn, Red Caboose, Digitrax, Marklin, and Bachmann.
RC AND MODEL HOBBY DEMONSTRATION AREAS
"International Race of Champions"
Car racing expert and hobby retailer, Scott Ernst of S&N Trackside Hobbies in Brookfield, WI, coordinates this exciting demonstration of the latest auto racing products. The carpeted race track will be "jumping and jiving" as Scott and sponsoring manufacturers take control of the action. Qualifying rounds are scheduled throughout Saturday and Sunday.
"Model Railroading for the Family"
Model Railroad expert Leon Waldack of Kato has lined up several local model train clubs, including Northwest Trainmasters (HO Club), Northwest N-Track (N-Scale Club), Independent Hi-Railers (O Scale club), Acella/NEC, Chicagoland Association of S Gaugers and Midwest Rails (G Scale club) for continuous demonstrations of the best of model railroading. The G-scale demonstration in the show lobby will have you turning your backyard into a Lilliputian train station.
"Fly Me to the Moon"
The "Flying Demonstration Area" will feature small electric low-flying planes and other non-gas operated aerodynamic products. Model airplane expert Walt Throne of Walt's Hobbies in Syracuse, NY provides the commentary and soaring narration of these fun flyers provided by Horizon Hobby and Sig Manufacturing. Demonstrations are scheduled for one hour each day.
"Wet and Wild" � Boat Pond Demonstration
RC boating is on your horizon... Horizon Hobby, that is. Join their expert, Steve Goodreau, and other manufacturers for the latest and greatest in boat racing action.
"Pinewood Derby"
Kids, bring your pinewood derby cars or use ours. The races go on all day long with ribbons for those who try. Trophies and gift certificates awarded to winners each day courtesy of manufacturer Woodland Scenics and Stanton Hobbies on Milwaukee in Chicago.
