RedsFest 2014

So after being snowed out of RedsFest last year, this year I got a 2 day pass as an early St. Nick gift. I didn't have as many things as previous years to get signed but I've also started trying to get people I haven't gotten instead of just getting as many as possible. SO instead of just hawking autograph lines I browse for free handouts and possible walking autograph opps.

For example every year they have 2 Harlem Globetrotters at RedsFest, this year I was able to catch up to them and get them to sign blanks. 

TNT and Buckets of the 2014/15 Globetrotters

I also found Bob Castellini, CEO of the Cincinnati Reds, as he was coming out of the Season Ticket Holders Lounge area. I also had him sign this blank.

Cincinnati Reds CEO Bob Castellini

On Friday I was too late to jump in any autograph line I was interested in, so I browsed to vendor booths and found the Dayton Dragons booth, I filled out a raffle for free tickets and received a free hat (I regret getting signed, dont really want to wear it now) and also a 2014 team set of cards. ( a whole set of players I've never had sign anything!) Still waiting for the ticket raffle results.

Dayton Dragons hat signed by Kyle Waldrop and Michael Lorenzen

2014 Dayton Dragons team set

I was able to get a few cards of the set signed

Axel Garret, Phillip Ervin, Nick Travieso, and Robert Stephenson (blank)

I was able to get a few Reds I've never gotten before, I asked Simon to inscribe 2014 AllStar and it came out 2014 Star (LOL)

David Holmberg 2014 bowman (rookie), Tony Cingrani 2013 Topps (rookie), Alfredo Simon 2014 Topps

I have been trying to get this card signed for a few years now and was finally quick enough to jump in Bruce's line before all the fangirls this year. I ordered this card off eBay a few years ago it is a canvas print, (I had gotten a few basketball cards styled like it and hunted for Reds ones). I knew getting it signed would make it look even cooler. And its a rookie card (from when Bruce had some kind of I'm going to cary this team to victory no matter what magic in him).

Jay Bruce 2008 UpperDeck Masterpiece (rookie)

There were a few other free giveaways I picked up, like the drawstring bag (1 each day) with a RedsFest/AllStar Game ornament (weirdly made from a stress ball) (it also had some cool coupons this year), spring training sunglasses, slim jims, and a lame poster I gave away (extreme regifting). I picked up a few things from the KY speedway booth (an old friend was running it). I also signed up for a few raffle drawings.

Shaun Alexander Mcfarlane figure base

I bought this figure when I saw Shaun still signed through his foundation but returns were taking a year (+). Mine did not take a full year but long enough I thought is was gone for good. 

The old Mcfarlane base was textured like real grass so it's not perfect but it's exactly what I wanted and it is an awesome addition. It's my 2nd figurine base I've gotten signed

Shaun Alexander Mcfarlane figure base

Alexander full Mcfarlane figure

Free Dale Jr. tumbler set

On Facebook there was an add for free 4 piece tumbler set. I chose the Dale Jr. set. The organization is called the Official NASCAR  membership club (ONMC). My brother told me after you make a purchase the enroll you and will charge you a membership fee, well after I ordered I emailed them saying it was a great deal but I do not attend enough events to be interested in a membership. The responding email said ok we will not charge you and your order is cancelled. So I ordered my cups again and waited a week to cancel this time, no fee was charged.

The cups are free you only have to pay shipping and handling $1.95 Not Bad!

They have different free items advertised like this all the time.

Dale Jr. tumblers

Free Dale Jr. hat from valvoline

Valvoline mail-in rebate offer a Dale Earnhardt Jr. hat (also offered a 48 Jimmie Johnson). This offer was for customers who purchased a 5 qt. Valvoline oil and mailed in their receipt earlier this year. Right now they are doing a different mail-in rebate for an American Flag. They also included a nice little note giving a heads up to look for future rebates.  

Free Dale Jr. hat

Note from Valvoline

Barry Larkin bobblehead

The Reds HOF August bobblehead is a fan favorite Barry Larkin. Another Unique bobblehead pose, it is him celebrating the 1990 World Series sweep of Oakland. Like I said everybody in Cincy liked Larkin, these are going fast (they gave out 700 in the first 2 days.)

Larkin 2014 Reds HOF bobblehead

 I was unable to attend for this one as well so

Thanks Greg!

2014 Harvick Jimmy Johns hero card

I received this hero card from Jimmy Johns, for their #4 team Harvick car. They are so awesome they also included a $10 gift card.

Harvick 2014 Jimmy John's hero card

Free $10 gift card

Eric Davis bobblehead

The Reds HOF July bobblehead for their 2014 series was release, Eric Davis. Its a pretty cool bobblehead a newer style stance I've only seen once before, but first in my collection.

They ran low on supply quickly and I was unable to go myself, my step dad picked this up for me.

 

Eric Davis 2014 HOF bobblehead

THANKS GREG!

Dollar General race team

Dollar General sent me 3 Matt Kenseth hero cards. They also included 2 Kyle Busch cards from their truck racing team, Kyle Busch is a huge jerk so below is how I disposed of that garbage.

Kenseth 2014 Dollar General hero card

My brother and I really dislike Kyle Busch for his attitude and tactics. He is a huge jerk on the track, although I've heard he's great with fans. In this mail package 2 Busch cards came so I showed my disapproval and burned them. I vined it and here are some pictures. Just to show what they looked like a little.

 

Burning 2014 Busch Dollar General truck series cards

Ashes and last little bit of Busch cards

Billy Hamilton bobblehead

July 12 was Billy Hamilton bobblehead night. The Reds ended up losing 6-5 to the Pirates.

Billy Hamilton is having an awesome rookie season and here is his first (major league) bobblehead, its a pretty neat style I've never seen before and unique for my collection. The back side of the box describes some of his better stats and accomplishments. Not only is he having a great rookie season, but as a late call up for the end of last season (2013) he provided a much needed spark on the base paths.

I was unable to attend this game so my step dad picked this up for me,

 

THANKS GREG!

2014 Billy Hamilton (rookie) bobblehead



Billy Hamilton career stats and accomplishments so far

Quaker State 400 Kentucky Speedway

On June 28 I went to my first NASCAR race, it was awesome. We arrived at the lot around 11 and set up camp. We immediately went to the driver's haulers where I bought this Dale Jr. diet dew pit hat.

Jr. 2014 Chase Pit hat

I also went and bought these 1\64 diecasts.

Johnson 2013 Sprint Cup Champion 1/64 dicast

Larson 2014 Rookie 1/64 dicast

I also picked up the program, event (1/64) car, and event pin.

2014 Quaker State 400 program

2014 Quaker State 400 event car (1/64 diecast

2014 Quaker State 400 pin

 

There was grilling, corn hole, walking, chilling, blazing heat, fan giveaways, heavy rain and a race.

Dale Jr. 2014 Superman hero card

Dale Jr. National Guard bag

Jr. 88 Superman coozie

Dale Jr. National Guard sticker

Dale Jr. National Guard Daytona winner poster

The race was dominated by Team Penske Fords (Keselowski #2, Logano #22) Keselowski won the pole and the race after leading a track record 199 laps. Denny Hamlin and Kyle Larson both DNF after flat tires force them into the wall.

Top 20 finshers

Brad Keselowski at Dickmanns

June 25 Brad Keselowski was at Dickmann's Sports Bar in Covington, KY, he was signing 2 items per person. He was scheduled 7-9 but really only signed for about 30 minutes and started signing just a sloppy Brad after the first maybe 40 people. Lucky we got our good items signed with the nice signature, then just hero cards sloppily the 2nd go around. I got my 2012 Ky Speedway poster and 1/64 Blue Duece diecast signed and then one of the Miller Lite hero cards. Over all I got 2 different hero cards and a #2 Flag banner from a stream. My brother got a 20' Miller Lite Brad K banner. Overall Brad was very nice and talkative with everyone.

Event Poster

Flag streamer I got

XL hero card

 

2013 Blue Duece diecast

Keselowski 2014 Miller Lite card (sloppy sign)

Brad Keselowski KY Speedway 2012Winner Poster

Patrick, Labonte, Kennedy Florida Lottery Race Team

Today I received these hero cards from Florida Lottery. These hero cards are glossy (like 8x10 photos) 

some of the nicest quality ones I have.

Patrick 2014 Florida Lottery card

Bobby Labonte 2014 Florida Lottery card

Kennedy 2014 Florida Lottery card

Thank You note and invitation to other events

Austin Dillon Dow

Today I received this Austin Dillon rookie hero card from DOW Chemicals.

Dillon 2014 DOW rookie card

O'Toole bobblehead and Graves signature

At the Reds HOF today was bobblehead weekend (and they ran out of them today). Jim O'Toole, the 2nd bobblehead of the 2014 summer series. Also for the 2nd day in a row the Reds all time saves leader, Danny Graves, was in town signing autographs in the Reds HOF.

O'Toole bobblehead

Graves '98 SGA rookie card

Griffey Jr. 500 HR bobblehead

June 21 was Griffey JR. 500th HR bobblehead day, the 10 yr. anniversary (a day late) of the hit, and also to honor his induction to the Reds HOF later this summer.

Griffey Jr. 500th HR bobblehead

Griffey HR story and small career overview

Brad Keselowski, Ryan Blaney Cooper Standard

I received this 2 cards from Cooper Standard the other day, Keselowski owns this truck racing team. It also has a not talking about Cooper Standard and saying thank you.

Blaney 2014, and Blaney, Keselowski 2014 Cooper standard cards

Bussiness explaination and thank you  note