Missoula card show draws crowds with rare finds and family fun

MISSOULA, Mont. — A sports card and collectibles show in Missoula brought in more than 3,000 fans looking for rare finds and hobby favorites.

Organizer Jason Rivers said the event gathered vendors from across the region. Rivers, who owns Zootown Sports Cards with his wife, said it was the biggest show he had put together over the past five years.

Rivers said the show featured everything from well-known stars to harder-to-find cards.

“Kobe Bryant, Michael Jordan, rare cards, Tom Brady, you'll find a lot of those cards that maybe you're chasing or some really rare cards that are not famous athletes, but maybe just hard to find,” said Jason Rivers.

One vendor came from Billings for the event. Kris Brester, owner of KAB Sports Cards & Collectables, said the trip was worth it because of the energy at the show.

“We never know what's going to walk in there at these shows. Everyone knows about it, so they're going to bring their cards in. You just never know what you're going to see at the show, which is nice,” said Kris Brester.

Brester said he had already made a major purchase during the weekend.

“We bought a crazy, Bo Nix Gold Downtown Rookie [card] yesterday,” said Brester. “It's around a $10,000 card. That was pretty cool."

The show also included Pokemon cards, comics and toys, giving families more than one way to take part in the hobby.

Rivers said that broad mix is part of what keeps people coming back.

“There's a lot about sports cards that are really positive. It has [a] nostalgia aspect for older people. For younger people, that gets them off their screens. They're trading the cards, looking at them, talking about them,” said Rivers.

Rivers said they host two conventions each year. People who missed this one can check back in the fall for their next show.