Social Events
We will have a number of Social Events during the convention week. As of now this is what we have planned:
Pacific Southwest Region Board of Directors Meeting
The PSR BOD meeting will be held on Wednesday, September 8 at 1.00PM. The meeting is open to any NMRA member wishing to attend.
Welcome Reception
On Wednesday evening at 7.30PM we will have an Ice Cream Social in the "tent" at the hotel
The tent at the convention hotel where we will host the Ice Cream Social
HOBO Auction
Our popular HOBO Auction will be held in the hotel on Friday evening at 6.00PM. You will need tickets to participate and you buy them in sheets twenty-five tickets (and yes, you get to separate them!). Each set of twenty-five tickets contains the same tracking number, a retaining sub for the purchaser and a door prize coupon (which may, or may not, be used). The more tickets you purchase, the greater your chances of winning!
COST OF AUCTION TICKETS
$5 per set of twenty-five tickets or $10 for 3 sets (75 tickets), $20 for 7 sets (175 tickets) and $25 for 9 sets (225 tickets) if all sets are purchased at the same time.
AUCTION PROCEDURES
A ticket container is placed next to each item. Deposit as many tickets as desired into as many containers as desired for the item(s) you want to have a chance at winning.
At the end of the Ticket Selling Period, one lucky winning ticket will be drawn from each container for each item.
The winning ticket holder must be present to win.
Ticket holders who cannot be present at the time of the drawing are advised to give their tickets to someone who can attend in their absence. If a winning ticket holder is not present, another ticket will be drawn from the container.
The Auction will end when all items have been won and given to winning ticket holders.
We will have a large amount of prices in different catrgories: Non-Rail items, books memorabilia, and of course TRAINS in all scales and shapes.
Picture from an earlier HOBO Auction showing ticket containers and prizes.
A few of the prizes we have collected for this HOBO Auction are
 Walthers ATSF F7 ABBA, not DCC (HO) |
 DRGW Doodlebug (G gauge) |
 Various books and Kits |
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As we get closer to the auction day there will be a lot more nice, valuable prices!
HOBO Breakfast
Saturday morning at 7.00PM we will have the HOBO Breakfast all set up for you.The cost for the HOBO Breakfast is $20 (tips included).
Hobos are, by definition, model railroaders who have attended at least one NMRA National convention outside the boundary of their home region. While our Hobo group may not be down on their luck or out of work, they are well-traveled folks, and all are welcome to join in this time of camaraderie while enjoying a fine breakfast.
Hobos are encouraged to bring guests to this activity. If you are not a Hobo by definition and would like to join us, you can talk one of the organizers into come as their guest.
As is customary, we will have the “Official Beggar” circulating with his tin can collecting any coins (or paper) you can contribute toward keeping the Hobo tradition going. We will also have pins and patches for sale at the breakfast, should you wish to advertise your allegiance.
And don't forget you get to dine on, and sign, the famous HOBO place mat:
We have set the start time to 7AM so you will have time to attend and then go to the Swap Meet.
Swap Meet
The Orange Blossom Special Swap Meet will be held in the Pool Side Event Center which is adjacent to the north parking lot. It is the size of a tennis court 60 x 120 with a tent cover. Tables are 2-1/2 ft x 6 ft. and will come with one chair. Here is that opportunity for you to clean out your garage and make a few dollars on the stuff you will never build. Set up will start at 6:30 am and the meet will start around 8:00 am immediately after the Hobo Breakfast and run until 11:00 am. For information contact This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. For pricing see the Company Store. You must indicate on your registration form if you plan to sell items at the swap meet and want a table.
Awards Banquet
The Grand Finale of the convention will be the Awards and Recognition Banquet on Saturday evening starting at 6.00PM PM for socializing with a Cash bar. Dinner will be severed at 6:45. You must give us your choice of entrée at the time you register.
Banquet Menu
House Salad – Mesclun Greens, Yellow & Red Beet Treads, Julienne of Carrots, Cherry Tomatoes with Balsamic Vinaigrette
Entrees (Your choice of one).
- Grilled Skirt Steak – Chef Paul’s Spice Rubbed Skirt Steak with Garlic & Herb Butter.
- Pan Seared Halibut – Tomato & Shallot Jam
- Wild Mushroom Ravioli – Whole Roasted Garlic Cream Sauce
Dessert – Dulce de Leche Chocolate Mousse on top of a Walnut Chocolate Brownie.
Please NOTE: if you have any special dietary needs please let us know at the time you register
The Awards Banquet at the 2019 Convention in San Diego
Raffle
We will have a raffle at the Awards Banquet with prices aimed for all our participants and special prizes for our Non-Rail participants. Tickets will be sold throughout the convention.
Non-Rail Prize
Our HO scale raffle prize is a combination of a 3-unit F7 ABB set from Broadway Limited with DCC and sound. The A and one B unit are powered and the second B unit is non-powered. In addition to the engines we have an 8 car set of Walthers Santa Fe Super Chief cars:
- Baggage-Mail car
- Railway Post Office car
- Baggage-Dormitory car
- Dome car
- 36 seat Diner car
- 29 seat Dormitory-Lounge car
- 10-6 Sleeper car
- Observation/Lounge car
Please note that the engines in the car picture are not part of the raffle prize!
As we get more prizes they will be added here.
