Tampa Bay Sports Collectors Expo

The Tampa Bay Sports Collectors Expo is coming to the Florida State Fairgrounds Special Events Center from Friday, December 4, through Sunday, December 6. It's a three-day run that pulls sports cards, memorabilia, trading cards, and Pokémon collectibles into one room, so you can hunt for a few different things without driving all over town.

Inside, hundreds of vendor tables line the hall. You'll find people there to buy, sell, and trade, and if you're looking for something specific, it's a good spot to hunt for rare finds. There's authentication on hand, which is a nice safety net when you're dealing with high-end pieces, and the Pokémon presence is strong enough to stand on its own alongside the traditional sports stuff. The show is sponsored by JSA Authentication and JAG Sports Entertainment, and the organizer runs an eBay store of authentic sports memorabilia.

Past editions have brought in Hall of Famers and legends like Darryl Strawberry, Lenny Dykstra, Dwight Gooden, Bob Ojeda, Wally Backman, Howard Johnson, Tim Teufel, Dennis Martinez—the Perfect Game pitcher—and quarterback Warren Moon. The guest list for this one hasn't been announced yet, so it's worth keeping an eye out as the date gets closer.

It runs Friday, December 4, from 2 PM to 8 PM; Saturday, December 5, from 9 AM to 4 PM; and Sunday, December 6, from 10 AM to 3 PM. Admission is $5 a day, and kids 8 and under get in free. Parking is $10 online and $12 onsite. You'll find the Special Events Center at 4800 U.S. Hwy 301 N, Tampa, FL 33610—use the MLK Jr. Blvd entrance at Gate 3.