The Lancaster Campgrounds Sports Card Show returns to the Lancaster Camp Ground activity building on Sunday, October 18, 2026, continuing one of the longest-running monthly card shows in Fairfield County. Organized by Mel Ruby, the show is a favorite for collectors from Lancaster, Pickerington, Canal Winchester, Logan and the southeast side of the Columbus metro who want a dependable, free, Sunday-afternoon show close to home.
What you will find: sports cards are the focus. Dealers bring baseball, football, basketball and hockey singles from the 1950s through current releases, rookies and numbered parallels, graded slabs, autographs, relics and sealed wax. Ohio State, Bengals, Browns, Reds and Guardians cards are always plentiful. A few tables carry Pokémon and other TCGs, and you will often find memorabilia, supplies and the occasional comic or toy seller. The Lancaster shows also periodically host a Pokémon-only date, so TCG collectors should watch the schedule.
Hours: Sunday, October 18, from 11:00 AM to 3:00 PM.
Admission is free, and kids are welcome at no charge. Cash is recommended for the best deals, though most dealers take mobile payment.
Venue and parking: the Lancaster Camp Ground is at 2151 West Fair Avenue, Lancaster, OH 43130, on the west side of Lancaster near the Fairfield County Fairgrounds, a few minutes from US-33 and State Route 22, about 35 minutes southeast of downtown Columbus. The show is in the activity building, which is indoor with restrooms. Parking is free on the grounds.
Who should attend: southeast-metro collectors, families with young collectors, vintage hunters who like the friendly pace of a smaller show, Ohio sports fans hunting team cards, and anyone selling a collection since several dealers buy on site. It is also a good stop for collectors driving back from the Hocking Hills.
Tips: arrive at 11:00 AM for first pick, bring a want list and a trade binder, and carry small bills. Because the show is monthly, dealers remember repeat customers and will bring requested cards to the next date. If you are heading to the Grizzly Bird show in Westerville the same day, plan for about 45 minutes between venues.
The Lancaster Camp Ground activity building is a classic hall-show venue, with dealers set up along the walls and in center rows, wide aisles and plenty of seating. Because the show has run for years at the same location, most dealers are regulars with established customers, which keeps prices consistent and makes it easy to build relationships. Fairfield County collectors often treat this as their monthly meetup, and it is common to see the same faces trading at the back tables every date. If you are new to the hobby, ask a dealer to walk you through grading basics; the relaxed pace here makes it one of the better shows in the metro for learning.
Contact organizer Mel Ruby at 614-578-0257 for vendor tables and questions, or check Card Show Hub for future dates.