D C Pen Show. Who's Going?

[StephY]

Arbinv, you can attend Friday, but you'll have to buy the US$45 "weekend traders" pass.

 

Edited to add: you don't necessarily need to register in advance. I've been able to show up Friday morning and purchase the pass at the door.

Edited July 24, 2014 by StephY

[ArbInv]

Arbinv, you can attend Friday, but you'll have to buy the US$45 "weekend traders" pass.

 

Edited to add: you don't necessarily need to register in advance. I've been able to show up Friday morning and purchase the pass at the door.

 

 

If I just attend Sat or Sunday how much does it cost? It is really unclear on the website - which is pretty awful!

 

Thanks

[watch_art]

I think i'ts $10 per day for Sat and Sun.

[TMac]

I've enrolled in Richard Binders nib smoothing class for Sunday morning and will then visit the show. I've not been to the DC show before so i am looking forward to the experience.

[EricTheRed]

According to the DC Pen Show flyer, the cost is $7 per day for Saturday or Sunday.

[watch_art]

According to the DC Pen Show flyer, the cost is $7 per day for Saturday or Sunday.

 

Even better.

[Mags]

I will be there Thurs evening and staying until 11 on Sat. Excited to try out new pens and meet fellow pen lovers.

[tjt7a]

I'll be there and bring my pens along. Do they smooth the nibs there? Do companies sell pens/paper/ink at the event?

 

Tom

[watch_art]

Yes to all of that.

[tjt7a]

Awesome!

[dead_brackets]

My husband and I will be there, along with another couple. I'm looking for a vintage Parker Duofold in blue/gray and a few specific inks. I'd also like to run into the Goulets so I can thank them for all of the great service I've gotten from them, but I don't want to make it weird by geeking out in the aisle or anything.

 

And, if history is any indicator, I will end up with at least 3 things that are not on my list because they're too pretty/smooth/unique to pass up.

[inkstainedruth]

And, if history is any indicator, I will end up with at least 3 things that are not on my list because they're too pretty/smooth/unique to pass up.

Yup, that's what happened to me last year; of course I did, um, have "help" from FPNer Uncle Red, who was pretty darned good at talking me into buying pens I was waffling over, with the immortal phrase "If you don't buy it I will...."

Marc -- if you're reading this thread, you're not allowed to do that to me this year. Really. I mean it. I've got to pay for the repairs on the pens I already have. After picking up the bottles from the Akkerman group buy, and a couple of other inks I just have to have....

Ruth Morrisson aka inkstainedruth

[ArbInv]

Do i really have to spend $45 dollars to attend on the Friday?

 

Andy

[Bill]

For those who are interested, the Metro's Silver Line did open Saturday. Reportedly it even survived yesterday's first rush hour without any issues, although there were some connector bus problems.

 

So for those who said you are coming into Union Station, you can take the Red Line to Metro Center, then change to the Silver Line and go all the way out to the Spring Hill station near the hotel. The Metro web site (wmata.com) says there will be weekend work on the Red Line but it will not affect your route.

 

The Silver trains are supposed to be 20 minutes apart on the weekend. Thursday or Friday should be as frequent as 6 minutes apart.

[penultress]

I also saw the news that the Silver Line is in operation!

 

I will be flying into Dulles. How easy would it be to pick up the Metro from the airport? I thought the nearest stop was Dunn Loring, no? Anyway, how long is the journey to the hotel once I'm on the Metro?

[Tasmith]

I also saw the news that the Silver Line is in operation!

 

I will be flying into Dulles. How easy would it be to pick up the Metro from the airport? I thought the nearest stop was Dunn Loring, no? Anyway, how long is the journey to the hotel once I'm on the Metro?

The Silver Line is open, but so far it only goes as far as the Wiehle-Reston East Station. Not all the way to Dulles yet. Google "Silver Line" and Metro's website will come up if you want any more info. Wiehle-Reston East Station is only one stop from the Silver Hill Station which is near the hotel. You'd be better off just taking a taxi from Dulles to the hotel.

Edited July 30, 2014 by Tasmith

[Bill]

Tasmith is correct that the Silver Line is not to Dulles yet. I hope that I did not give that impression. I replied to this thread because it seemed busier than the others where folks actually mentioned coming into town by train or NYC-DC bus lines (which is only practical for the East Coast types anyway).

 

Washington Flyer is the taxi service out of Dulles. Should be about $30-35 to the hotel. You can also book them ahead for the return to the airport instead of grabbing any old cab. I've never had a problem with the Flyer, unlike some other companies in the region.

 

Reagan is a different animal...some cash-only "don't have the right change" cabs out of there.

 

Also Uber operates in DC. My experience with it is limited so far but colleagues like it better than the traditional cabs because of lower cost and quicker response.

[penultress]

Thank you, both, Tasmith and Bill!

 

I decided to fly down and I'll be taking the train out of Union Station back. The timing & price just worked better for me this way. There is a complimentary airport shuttle but last year I missed the last pick up because my flight was delayed. Maybe I'll have better luck this year. Pick ups are hourly on the hour. I'll ring Washington Flyer and get more info.

[Ladynib302]

Ladynib302 & Trainman302 (Bob and Jane/Delaware) will be there all 4 days; great show and looking forward to seeing both old and new friends again, enjoying the ink tables, sampling nibs, finding writing paper, seeing what Ryan Krusac and Andy Lambrou have created, getting pens made even more perfect by our many fine nibmeisters. Hope all have a safe and great trip. See you there.

Edited July 30, 2014 by Ladynib302

[dead_brackets]

Do any of you feel strongly whether or not it's worth the extra money to go on Friday? I can pay $28 for two people for Saturday and Sunday, or $90 for the two of us to attend on Friday, too. Is that right?

And, if I do decide I want to go on Friday, is it pointless to turn up after, say, 1 PM? I'm driving about 4 hours to get there (if there's no traffic).