Just like NASCAR and NFL Football, the model car world seems to have a season. At least in terms of model contests and shows, we tend to sit the winter months out (some more than others) and become more active as the weather warms up.
Around the Midwest area, the season kicks off with the “Hope it Doesn’t Snow” show in Rochester, Minnesota. This event is put on by the IPMS/Zumbro valley Scale Modelers. Most of us modelers in the Kansas City Metro area don’t make it that far north, so KC CON presented by the IPMS Great Plains chapter gets our season underway. We always look forward to this show after several cold months of waiting in the basement at the model bench. Around here, this is the first chance of the year to get together with fellow modelers to see what they’ve been up to, chew the fat and share ideas. It’s always an interesting show with interesting things to look at, a raffle and vendor room.
More recently, some of us attended the 11th annual Nebraska Challenge in Bellevue Nebraska, and the KAMS show in Salina, Kansas. Both of these have been common destinations on our travel agenda. These early shows tend to have a variety of new model masterpieces fresh off the active winter hobby bench. All in all, I am counting some two dozen model contests in the Midwest are this year. Model building is still alive and kicking.
After wetting our whistle with the spring contests, we roll up our sleeves and get to work on our own Contest, the Heartland Model Car Nationals. This year’s show lands on June 7th for entering models, and the 8th for open viewing, vendor area and the awards presentation. The Heartland has a history of attracting some of the best modelers around and presents hundreds of their latest masterpieces. This year’s theme ” Dad said NO! ” gives you the opportunity to build and own a miniature of that awesome car you Dad would not let you bring home as a teenager.
Come join the fun this June and share your story.