Petty complaints aside, I wanted to say this publically: I had a fantastic time at the show. I bought no pipes and no tobacco. Outside of my table fee (laughable compared to craft/street fair prices to show off furniture in a big city) and the ticket to the fancy Saturday dinner, which was great, I spent $8.50 on drinks in the smoking tent.
Yet I still feel like I came away with things I will cherish for a lifetime. I got to speak at length with 4 of the 6 master blenders in attendance about growing, curing, grading, and using tobacco. I got to smoke a pipe with old friends and new, participating in and just listening to conversations about life, philosophy, pipe making, pipe smoking, and every thing else.
I felt taken care of by the organizers and supported by the attendees. I didn't sell much, but I never heard an unkind word about what I had brought to show. Long story short - even if you can only come for a day because of your schedule, or can only find $10 spare bucks over gas and the ticket price to get in, it's absolutely worth visiting.
