Next weekend The Michigan Pinball Expo will take over The Oakland Center at Oakland University for the 6th year in a row. This Expo is a pinball lover's dream. The event features over 150 pinball machines, most of which are set to free play for the entire 57 hours that the Expo is open! Adults pay one low fee of $20 a day or $80 for a four day weekend pass. Children's passes (15 and under) are only $15 a day at the door or $60 for the entire weekend. They also have a special college night from 7 p.m. - 12 a.m. on April 9th that is only $10 to get into with college ID!
The Expo features pinball games for beginners and experts. They even have tournaments where participants have the opportunity to win big cash prizes while showing off their skills. We personally had the opportunity to attend the Expo a few years back and were pleasantly surprised by how much fun we had. It was really awesome to walk around, see all the machines, and play all of the games. It's one of those events that everyone needs to try at least once.
We are excited to announce that we have 4 pairs of tickets to give away to attend one day of the expo! The winners will be able to bring a friend and check it all out for themselves. To enter to win our pinball giveaway, please email your full name to hipindetroit@gmail.com. We will draw our winners a few days before the show and give them details on how to claim their prize.
The Expo runs from April 9th through the 12th and The Oakland Center is located at 2200 Squirrel Rd., Rochester, Michigan. For more details, read our quick interview with the event's creator John Kosmal or visit The Michigan Pinball Expo website here.
HID- What motivated you to create this event and keep it going every year?
John Kosmal- "No Motivation needed, it is pinball, it is FUN!!!"
HID- Tell us a little about the tournaments that take place over the weekend.
John Kosmal- "Well, there are many, and we usually give away about $20,000 in cash and prizes every year. So, needless to say, competition is fierce, but sportsmanship is paramount. Everyone enjoys the tournaments because we make them FUN. You compete among your peers and not ringers."
HID- What is your favorite pinball game of all time and why?
John Kosmal- "The Wizard of OZ by Jersey Jack Pinball. The game has MANY toys and an LCD screen in the back box. We will have a few of them at the show this year for people to check out and play!"
HID- Is there food available for purchase at the event?
John Kosmal- "Yes, downstairs there is a coffee shop, Subway, Papa Johns, Chik filet, and an entire food court. You don't even need to leave the building to get some great food and then go right back to your pinball playing!"
HID- What about beer?
John Kosmal- "What about it? Go to a local pub after. This is pinball, not let's get hammered. This is a Family Friendly Event, not St. Patrick's Day."
HID- What's the best advice that you can give to a newbie that wants to come out to the expo for the first time?
John Kosmal- "Just come and play pinball. If you aren't having fun in the first 10 minutes, come to the front desk and ask me for a refund. I'll see you hours later with a smile on your face! Oh yeah, BTW, this event is an AWESOME date night! Something new, cool, and guess what, don't take turns watching each other play, PLAY TOGETHER! One person take one side and one the other. We call this Split Flipper or ZEN. It is much more fun to play at the same time!"
HID- Is there anything else that you would like our readers to know?
John Kosmal- "Bring all your family and friends! This is something like most have never seen and just bring them, and surprise them, they will LOVE you for it!"
~S
Always love a good expo where people can come and join different games and events! It's also a chance to connect and transcend generations through the use of these arcade games.
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