Rob Backman said the convention is smaller than similar ones in Cleveland and Los Angeles, but it is solid. Jordyn, who has an extensive PEZ collection, was searching for a Stanley Cup dispenser while Rob Backman was looking for another PEZ truck to add to his collection. Spectators like Rob Backman, his wife Joy and their 15-year-old daughter Jordyn and 7-year-old son Jason hunted around the convention for specific items. Blaine and Lamay had been corresponding online and trading with and selling dispensers to one another. Lamay met up with Jim Blaine, operater of, an online PEZ collectable retailer that hosts a yearly convention in Michigan. Lamay said he has been collecting PEZ dispensers since the early-1990s, and he enjoys "the thrill of the hunt." Lamay published a book "PEZ Pictorial and Price Guide" and was selling various dispensers to generate money to grow his own vast dispenser collection. Navy and stationed in Rhode Island, set up a stand at the PEZ Gathering in his downtime from the service. The group is nicknamed "PEZheads for Life" and also sells calander and buttons to raise money for the cause.Īaron Lamay, who is enlisted in the U.S. Pennsylvania resident Jerry Battenfield sold out of his custom PEZ dispenser, a fundraiser for Rambo's Relayers, a team for the American Cancer Association's Relay for Life event. CT State Police: Two found dead from gunshots in East Granby home.Boy’s family reaches tentative deal in Wilton schools child sex abuse case.Norwalk developer avoids sanction for revealing $4.5 million settlement offer.Haddam woman burned after falling into fire pit, officials say.Feathers of injured osprey pulled from Norwalk Harbor will be used to treat other injured birds.Why Norwalk has no plans to move to hybrid or in-person meetings.Norwalk Police: Former homeowner charged with trespassing at Sylvester Court eviction.A Dumbo dispenser was selling for $6,500 while a Donald Duck dispenser was being offered for $6,000. Two Disney softhead PEZ dispensers had large price tags. A complete, vintage carousel stand PEZ football display at his stand had a price tag of $10,000. "They didn't keep it on the market very long," Laspina said.Ī man who refused to identify himself and simply called himself "Joe PEZ" had the priciest PEZ products on display. Potato Head toy and gives consumers the ability to design 158 different faces on it. The "Make-a-Face" PEZ dispenser functions similar to a Mr. Laspina said the rarest item in his collection was the "Make-a-Face," a 1972 model with 18 detachable small facial pieces. One of the largest collections displayed at the show belonged to New Jersey native John Laspina, who began collecting PEZ dispensers more than 30 years ago. "You have all types of people from all walks of life - doctors lawyers and trades people, senior citizens and youths," he said.
Rich Belyski, organizer of the Northeast PEZ Gathering, said PEZ conventions boast a "good family atmosphere" where the vendors get along with one another and are approachable and willing to field questions from curious spectators.