Chicago Toy Show (aka the Kane County Show)

Twice a year, the fields of Northern Illinois come alive with the sounds of thousands of toy collectors descending on the Kane County Fairgrounds. That's the site of the venerable Chicago Toy Show.

Filling buildings with names like "Rabbit Building," the "Prairie Events Center" and the "Doll House," some 600+ dealers assemble to sell antique dolls and tin toys, Star Wars figures and Hot wheel cars, plus modern toys like Funko Pop figures and Lego mini figs.

This event was held on October 23, 2016. When you talk to old hands about the show, they speak in hushed whispers about the glory days before the Internet, when deals at Kane County flowed like wine and people traveled from all over the world to get in on the action. These days, auction websites and the democratization of information have leveled the playing field, contributing to the decline of toy shows (and not just in the USA).

But there are still a lot of people who like seeing toys in person before buying them, not to mention fraternizing with collecting buddies and learning from the greybeards who bring centuries of combined knowledge and wisdom. Plus there are several food trucks selling delicious ice cream with freshly made waffle cones. So good...

Here's a look at the show:

There are many high quality toys and excellent displays at the Kane County show.

 More after the jump:

Superhero + Monster Pez at the Pez Visitor Center (Orange, CT)

In Orange, Connecticut, just outside of New Haven, is a kind of mecca for Pez fans: the Pez Visitor Center. It has a small museum, shop, and some nice displays. It's also the site of a Pez factory, but that isn't open to visitors.

Pez seems synonymous with American candy, but it was actually invented in Austria in 1927. A few decades later, they started selling candy with the now iconic dispensers. There are a huge number out there, not to mention a faithful following of collectors.

Here's a look at one of the displays at the Pez Center, showing Superhero and Monster dispensers from over the years.

Ultraman Ace Exhibit at Super Festival 72

The tokusatsu focus of Super Festival 72 was Ultraman Ace. As with past shows, the organizers did a great job putting together an exhibit of Ultraman Ace items. That included toys, books, scripts, and what look like props from the show. Here's a look:

 More after the jump: