Most definitely a scaled back event compared to last year with Joey deciding to skip renting the $2,000 tent he had set up in front of the store last year, instead opting to use just a few canopy style popup tents (similar to the type folks use for tailgating but large size ones). Also, a conspicuous lack of manufacturer reps on hand compared to last year with only a lone Lionel rep being on hand and he was inside the store and only there Friday.
Just one merchandise giveaway prize drawing this year and that was with the Lionel rep for a few traditional size Lionel boxcars and a Lionchief starter set.
As said much less merchandise than last year in the "tents" and at higher prices.
Finding few sales outside, potential buyers seemed to gravitate inside where sale discounts were decent and attracted brisk customer buying. On top of NS's already decent pricing, additional in-store discounts of 15% off Woodland Scenic and K-Line merchandise, 10% off Williams, Bachmann, and Broadway Limited plus discounts varying between 5% and 10% for other companies' products worked to generate customer buying on both floors of the store.
I myself found the 15% off Woodland Scenic products irresistible and bought three of their Built- & -Ready buildings to add to the six I already have. Also purchased numerous "Just Plug" accessories and lights needed for those buildings and some WS figure sets to compliment those already generously detailed structures.
Btw, on Saturday only, there was 5% off both Lionel and MTH single rolling stock, 10% off two packs, 15% off 3, etc. But it excluded Strasburg Railroad cars and Lionel and MTH engines and accessories.
