Need a Guide for Parramatta Toy Fair... Someone hold my hand

[Zaul]

Attending the Parramatta Toy Fair for the first time Ever next week.

If possible I need a friend from OTCA to maybe guide me a little into finding some Transformers Universe stuff, whats a rip off and what isnt, what time I should arrive, all that jazz.

Thanks :)

[loophole]

arrive very early the line gets pretty big

[Zaul]

Where can I find some more info on the Toy Fair? Is there a site or something?

Also Loophole you going? :eek:

[liegeprime]

heres a link Zaul.
http://www.collectables.zip.com.au/aboutus.html
Fair costs $6 entrance fee. Arrive early as loopy has said - he attended once when he was playing tourist in NSW:D. Fair opens 8am (on a Sunday , ugh, I know) come and introduce yourself, you'll easily spot other OTCA members anyways (TF clothing galore a dead giveaway)were usually at the head of the line chatting like seagulls. Once inside there's usually 2 staple seller - Jaime and Skyshadow... then some more scattered everywhere ( its not a big hall anyhow). youd usually be rubbing elbows (literally) with your fellow OTCA members in looking and buying at these stalls so if your quite unsure about something ( if a figure is legit, or what the heck is this figure?) just ask away, someones bound to have the answers and answer back while scrounging among the display piles ( at times dont expect eye contact while the feeding frenzy is happening,:D:p, but you'll get an answer). Oh and dont worry its just like a flea market atmosphere with 80s toon themes in the background playing and dont forget to go to the side hall, theres some more sellers there with stuff you might find interesting. After an hour or two you'll notice most of the OTCA members discreetly slinkering out - its time for the usual after fair toys show and tell:D over lunch, then go around Parramata shopping center to look for anything new and interesting (this includes comic shops) to buy.... so thats how it goes in a nutshell. By 1 pm or so members have gone home or some go with others still to look around back at the hall (it runs til 3pm and some items gets discounted prices at the end).

[Vector Prime]

Is it on all weekend or just Sunday (for some reason I thought it was on Saturday?)

I'm thinking about popping down there, depending what day it's on to check it out.

Not really looking for anything at the moment besides Cybertron Jetfire, Soundwave and Wing Saber, but worth a sticky beak nonetheless I suppose. :D

[liegeprime]

Its a 1 day event only - Sunday. Its on every quarter and they give away leaflets on when the next event will be way ahead of time so you can get your schedules fixed...but yeah its always on a Sunday at Parramata Town hall, 8am-3pm.

[Vector Prime]

Its a 1 day event only - Sunday. Its on every quarter and they give away leaflets on when the next event will be way ahead of time so you can get your schedules fixed...but yeah its always on a Sunday at Parramata Town hall, 8am-3pm.

Cheers mate... Sunday's much better for me!

Now only to think of an excuse to tell the missus as to why I'm gonna be out and about at 8am (or earlier) on a Sunday morning... lol :rolleyes:

[liegeprime]

Cheers mate... Sunday's much better for me!

Now only to think of an excuse to tell the missus as to why I'm gonna be out and about at 8am (or earlier) on a Sunday morning... lol :rolleyes:

Tell her your having an affair, mwahahahahah that'll send you out quicker with plates and knives flying you wont have trouble getting out of the house in a jiff:p;). In fact you'll need to get out of the house.. alive.. getting back in is another story. For that, I got nuthin :p

[Zaul]

Thanks for the help Guys, I promise when I enslave Cybertron your deaths will all be quick and painless. :)

[loophole]

Also Loophole you going? :eek:

not this time its a bit of a hike for me :( , maybe the next one though :D

[i_amtrunks]

Look for a bunch of guys wearing TF shirts, and another bunch of guys wearing footy jerseys, not hard to spot as it seems the majority of the other early arrivals are mostly Star Wars fans.

If in doubt just yell out some OTCA board names and someone will react (it is a tiny hall)

[GoktimusPrime]

(it is a tiny hall)
Indeed. The attendance of the Parramatta Fair is pretty small compared to those at conventions, and Australian conventions are miniscule compared to those overseas. A friend of mine just got back home from the U.S. where he and his gf attended SDCC. Hearing about it makes SupaNova sound microscopic! :D

[liegeprime]

I prefer our set-up here though, less competition:D:p...though we do need more sellers hehehehe

[amon]

Is there any parking place, how much is the parking fee? If too much, I would rather come by train:)

[1AZRAEL1]

Is there any parking place, how much is the parking fee? If too much, I would rather come by train:)

There is parking around the area, just not sure where lol.
There is some behind the town hall itself, but it can be hard to find a spot.

In my opinion, its easier by train, because it is only a few minute walk from the station.

[Vector Prime]

If you're planning on going early, there should be plenty of parking available in the local streets in Parramatta... seeing as it's Sunday and all.

[fatbot]

If you're planning on going early, there should be plenty of parking available in the local streets in Parramatta... seeing as it's Sunday and all.


you may not know Parramatta, but the town hall is opposite a church and all the happy clappers take most of the parking around that area by about 0730

[dirge]

If you're there for opening, you'll find parking within a block or two.

[Vector Prime]

Hope this helps with carpark locations:
http://www.whereis.com/nsw/parramatta/church-st?id=C37189BEF776

[liegeprime]

Is there any parking place, how much is the parking fee? If too much, I would rather come by train:)

By train is by far more convenient. Parking at Parra on a sunday sucks as far as ive heard from those with cars. Parking just seems to be filled up even on a Sunday...well I guess its the churchgoers.

[Vector Prime]

Westfields has 3 hours free parking.

The carpark should be open by that time anyway since Woolies and Coles trade from 7am (even on a Sunday).

[i_amtrunks]

Westfields is a good option if you dont want to try and find a spot (or if you arrive after 9am or so) if you are arriving at 7-7.30 then you'll find spots on every street, might have to walk 50m or so, but no further than you would to get to Westfields anyway.