Super Bowl Card Show set for this weekend

By PETE FONTAINE
Posted 1/30/19

By PETE FONTAINE Even though it's cold outside, there will be a dash of spring this weekend in Coventry. The one-time Cranston Sports Card Show, which was 40 years in the making and is back in form of Super Bowl Weekend Card Show, will offer people an

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Super Bowl Card Show set for this weekend

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Even though it’s cold outside, there will be a dash of spring this weekend in Coventry.

The one-time Cranston Sports Card Show, which was 40 years in the making and is back in form of Super Bowl Weekend Card Show, will offer people an opportunity to have their picture taken in front of an original 8-by-2-foot piece of the famed Fenway Park Green Monster.

That’s just one of the many interesting items the Super Bowl Weekend Car Show will include this Saturday and Sunday – Feb. 2-3 – inside Coventry High School’s C. Arthur Flori Gymnasium.

“It’s the place to be for people who buy, sell and trade cards as well as seek autographs and unlimited sports memorabilia,” Mike “Mango” Mangasarian,  a one-time teacher-coach who is chairing the revived event that Cranston’s Tom McDonough founded four decades ago. “We’ll have non-sports cards, vintage books and event equipment.”

The legendary event, which is expected to draw a huge crowd this weekend, will open Saturday at 9 a.m. and run through 5 p.m. On Super Bowl Sunday – long before the New England Patriots kickoff against the Los Angeles Rams – the show will be held from 8:30 a.m. before closing up show at 2:30 p.m.

“We’ll have the same old traditions – as well as some new ones – that people enjoyed through all the years when the Cranston (Sports Card) Show ranked among the oldest operating event of its kind in New England,” Mike Mango noted. “Tables are still $70 (for vendors) and admission is just four bucks per person both days.”

Proceeds, he noted, will benefit Immaculate Conception Roman Catholic Church in Cranston, St. Vartanantz in Providence and the Coventry High School Hall of Fame.

Mango, who has received what he called “valuable assistance” from McDonough during the planning of the newly-named Super Bowl Weekend Card Show, dealers from five states will set up their wares for people who want to buy, sell or trade and even obtain valuable autographs from such legendary stars as former Boston Bruins great John Bucyk.

Known as the former “Chief of the Bruins”, Bucyk is one of seven sports legends who’ll be on hand to sign autographs during this weekend’s show.

Those guests, Mango explained, “Are being provided by Sure Shot Promotions and Mike Josselyn and include former World Champion boxer Vinny Pazienza, Boston Red Sox 2013 World Series Champion Craig Breslow and Leon Powe, a member of the 2009 Boston Celtics World Championship club.

Also, Ernie DiGregorio, the former Providence College basketball sensation and NBA rookie of the Year in 1973-74, lightweight boxing champion Mickey Ward portrayed in the 2010 film “The Fighter” by Mark Whalberg, and former PC/Celtics World Champion Kevin Stacom will be among the autograph signers.

Also, Author Edward Achorn will make an appearance to sign his book “59 in 84” about Hall of Fame pitcher Old Horse Redbourn’s incredible Providence Grays season and legendary award-winning sports cartoonist Frank Galasso will be at the show showing his many unique creations.

People who’d like more information abut the show or want to reserve a table or tickets should call Mango at (401) 601-5703.

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