Genesee County, MI — More than 1,000 sports card and collectable enthusiasts from all over the Midwest are expected to descend on Dort Financial Center in the heart of Genesee County on Saturday, March 29.

The Inaugural Vehicle City Sports Card and Memorabilia Show is poised to become a fixture on the sports card circuit, with nearly 300 tables in its first year.

One major uniqueness of the event, according to Flint native and lead organizer Eric Tinnin, is that, unlike most shows, it is 100 percent sports.

“The biggest thing for me is, every show you attend always has Pokemon or other trading card vendors mixed in,” Tinnin said. “I wanted to bring a show that is all about sports.”

In many ways, a show of this size is long overdue in a community like Genesee County, with a rich history of athletic excellence, including world-class athletes in numerous sports from basketball to boxing and everything in between.

Athletes like Super Bowl Champion and Flint native Andre Rison will be among numerous special guests at the show — a list that includes former Red Wing Darren McCarty, University of Michigan All-American wide receiver Braylon Edwards and former Detroit Lion pro bowler Cory Schlesinger (click here for the full list).

In short, the event will be well worth the drive — even if the drive might require an overnight stay in Genesee County.

Jason Shrout is making a nearly five-hour trek from the north side of Indianapolis to the Dort Financial Center for the event. For Shrout, who is in the process of opening his own sports card shop in his hometown, the opportunity to network with so many sellers and enthusiasts was too good to pass up.

“I enjoy meeting people in the hobby … and this is another opportunity for me to put my name out there,” he said. “I sell online seven days a week, but this year I made it a goal to travel to as many places and shows as possible.”

This is likely not Shrout’s last trip to Genesee County, as Tinnin has big plans to expand the show to multiple days and bring in even more high-profile professional athletes.

“We want one of the biggest shows in Michigan to be right here in Genesee County for years to come,” Tinnin said. “That’s our goal.”

For more information, watch the video below from ABC 12: