Golden State Pinball Festival

Attended this awesome annual event this past weekend, at the Lodi Grape Festival Grounds, and didn't expect to have as much fun as I did. Hundreds of pinball machines with unlimited free play included in the ticket price. That's the appeal, even if you have no skills, the gaming doesn't need to end. And sooo many pinball machines to choose from, with entertaining designs, colors, and effects. Some of my faves were Guardians of the Galaxy, Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory, Stranger Things, Houdini (an interactive machine), and a Diner pinball machine that I found quite amusing. But the themes were endless and there were two buildings full of pinball games. One had more modern (but still classic) games like Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, Game of Thrones, Jurassic Park, Avengers, X-men, South Park, John Carpenter's Halloween, Funhouse, and even a Whirlwind machine with attached fans so players could really feel the effects. There were also a few vendors selling merchandise in this giant hall. The other building had more vintage machines along with some vendors, raffle prizes on display, an eating area with tables and seating, and food for sale including hot dogs, pulled pork sandwiches, nachos, fruit, soda, coffee, beer, and wine. All of the machines seemed to be in working order (and programmed for unlimited play), and there were QR codes at each machine to report any broken devices, but we didn't encounter any problems. There was also a third building, Pinball University, with scheduled presentations throughout each day related to pinball trading, making custom games, and even a collection of short pinball films. Definitely no shortage of activities to keep us busy during our time here. No advanced tickets sold for the event, but purchasing tickets at the door with a credit card was quick and easy. No waits on Saturday morning for entry and hardly any waits for gaming (at least during the daytime the second day of the festival when we attended). Everyone at the venue was courteous and respectful, both staff and attendees. Got to view some very cool posters and art for the 2024 show, created by Brian Allen and Flyland Designs. And of course, we had to purchase a souvenir hat "special when lit" before leaving. Add to that free parking, there's lots to love about this event.

Getting The Arm & Finger Exercises In!SITREPWhat a great time! Our friend Bambi shaghai'd Fabi, China and myself to her passion these last five (5) years for a terrific time at the Golden State Pinball Festival 2019.https://www.yelp.com/biz_photos/golden-state-pinball-festival-lodi?select=8SIdYgkeExpvUS1WP9JbGw&userid=3mNz5nQFTIBQm0oU5mBR0wBest to come early, though, since there is only one small entrance to go in and out from, and they aren't exactly fast in getting the crowd in.https://www.yelp.com/biz_photos/golden-state-pinball-festival-lodi?select=N_NfjbM1QPqPZbLQh5rnHA&userid=3mNz5nQFTIBQm0oU5mBR0wTHE SETUPSo many wonderful pinball machines!SUCH AS THE CLASSICS!* Check out the MAJORETTES from 1964!https://www.yelp.com/biz_photos/golden-state-pinball-festival-lodi?select=TzX48NE9xrwL2RfFamQfTw&userid=3mNz5nQFTIBQm0oU5mBR0w* Or the oldest one I saw there, LANCERS from 1961!https://www.yelp.com/biz_photos/golden-state-pinball-festival-lodi?select=TzX48NE9xrwL2RfFamQfTw&userid=3mNz5nQFTIBQm0oU5mBR0w* My friend Dieter, a sky diver had a passion for this old classic, "SKY KINGS"! [He plays it with his skydiving helmet on so the rest of us can enjoy it for *shits & giggles*!https://www.yelp.com/biz_photos/golden-state-pinball-festival-lodi?select=k6Ihkc17EBqwIK1Q8dU7Qw&userid=3mNz5nQFTIBQm0oU5mBR0wSCI-FI LOVE!What would a festival be without....*Star Wars!https://www.yelp.com/biz_photos/golden-state-pinball-festival-lodi?select=b3rCmPZaCvf130KNqJqC1Q&userid=3mNz5nQFTIBQm0oU5mBR0w OR,*Waterworld! (*gag*, I know, right?)https://www.yelp.com/biz_photos/golden-state-pinball-festival-lodi?select=fHkIyxN5mRSJXd9gsD-n7w&userid=3mNz5nQFTIBQm0oU5mBR0wFUN!Fabi & China were goin at it!https://www.yelp.com/biz_photos/golden-state-pinball-festival-lodi?select=Wm4sENk1LKozIyPR9no5qg&userid=3mNz5nQFTIBQm0oU5mBR0wBambi was racking up the scores like nobody's business!https://www.yelp.com/biz_photos/golden-state-pinball-festival-lodi?select=6P5UQA3A6zCOQ4SKmdHXtw&userid=3mNz5nQFTIBQm0oU5mBR0wAnd then more modern creations such as The Game of Thrones! That's right! There's a NEW pinball game honoring Game of Thrones, and representing ALL the Major Houses... EXCEPT House Targaryen .... interesting... https://www.yelp.com/biz_photos/golden-state-pinball-festival-lodi?select=g41PkMqbVs8inFcM2uVC0Q&userid=3mNz5nQFTIBQm0oU5mBR0wNot surprisingly, I find found this to be the most complex of the games I played and was pleasantly surprised how many different options for gaming were available depending on which house was chosen. But again, House Targaryen was NOT there as if some omen...[Let's see what that could possibly mean for tonight's final episode of the series!]THE LOWDOWNAbsolutely worth it to bring your family, friends and grandpa & grandma!

If you love pinball, you should have been here. If you like pinball, you should have been here. If you're not sure if you like pinball, you should have been here. Why? It pour rain off and on over the weekend, and this venue is 95% indoors. The only outdoor part is the parking lot, the walk way between buildings and the space between the buildings and the food tent. Even the outdoor eating area is covered to keep the sun and rain off of your head!This event which began in Dixon as Pin-A-Go-Go is now held in Lodi on the weekend after Mother's Day. 2019 was the second year here. Parking is free. You can purchase single day wristbands for Friday afternoon, Saturday or Sunday OR full weekend wristbands OR Saturday/Sunday wristbands.All of the pinball machines are available for free play. The worse you might have to do is get in line and wait your turn. There are separate fee-based tournaments for adults, children, and women. For those who are really into pinball,WPPR points can be earned. For those of you who aren't familiar, look up International Flipper Pinball Association.I'm a huge fan of pinball. I play league at the Pacific Pinball Museum in Alameda, CA. I've played in tournaments in California, Oregon, and Colorado. Someday, I hope to even understand what it is that I'm doing. For now, stay alive, keep the ball on the playfield and aim for the flashing lights!Oh, and proceeds from this event goes to charity. Check out their website at goldenstatepinball.org. Learn about the history of this event and plan to join us next year!

I've been here for an hour and sadly, I just cannot recommend it because of a very significant issue with the entire thing. And that is that they have overheard fluorescent lights on in every single room. And will not turn them off. You can't see the beautiful lights on the machines as they should be seen, but more importantly, every single machine at the festival has a glare on the top glass that hampers playing.Of the three rooms, the front one has *all* the lights on. Overhead fluorescents. Which are the arch enemy of any pinball game. The next two rooms have half the lights on, but it is still way too much. I inquired about killing the lights, and the staff member told me that they have to keep them on because the vendors "who paid a lot of money" want people to be able to see the wares at the tables. He suggested that I come back at the very end of the night after they had all left. Sorry, if you sell admission to an event it doesn't work that way. This is like selling tickets to a Formula 1 race but telling people that all the cars are governed at 25mph until the end of the day. I've had this event on the calendar for a year and drove up from San Diego to attend. And after being here for just a short time, I am ready to leave. And not come back ever until they can promise the low lighting that these machines should be seen and played with. I'm adding pictures to show just how bad it is.

This was the 19th annual Pinball show fundraising event for the Dixon teen Center. Held at the Dixon fairgrounds in two of the buildings, there were over a hundred newer and antique pinball machines set for "free play" for the many, many happy participants this past weekend of May 15-17.The wristband prices get you inside and able to enjoy all of the gloriously pinging and flashing pinball machines and get your pinball wizardry going!Friday: 1pm-11pm $20Saturday: 10AM-midnight $25Sunday: 9AM-5PM $20It's way too hard to find a decent selection (or any) pinball machines in today's modern arcades. Video-computer machine games are more the norm at theaters and bowling alleys, now. It's a shame, because for me, if there's a pinball machine in the room, I can't help but be drawn over to play a couple of games on it it. Video games? Meh...too easy to find those to play at home on the computer. Pinball machines are more festive and special!The layout at the Dixon fairgrounds is nice: rows and rows of pinball machines all available for fun and games. Occsionally, a ball will get stuck, but there were a few pinball medics patrolling around to make quick fixes. There were so many different kinds of machines there! The very old ones were simpler with old-timey '60s graphic art. There was one side room set up for those. (These are all ones that give you 5 balls per game.)They had a couple of the later models that I found especially fun to play, game after game, like Pin-Bot and Jack-Bot, Excalibur, and Alien Poker. The rules of courtesy are that you don't hog any one machine. If someone is waiting to play, don't stand there playing game after game, but offer to share and play a game o the 2-player setting, or rotate and move on to another machine.There were a few venders selling replacement parts for the machines. They had LED lights that would replace the old incandescent bulbs for an energy savings that adds up, over time. Many of the machines were even for sale~!Outside, there were a couple of food venders, so you don't have to leave the grounds to get a quick meal before going back inside to play, some more.Pinball a Go-Go is something that I will mark on my calendar to look forward to attending every year, from now on!

Lighting fixed! We spent hours on this, then spent even more hours putting and taking down our own lighting for the event in 2019. Success!

What's not to like about Pinball? Once a year Pin-a-Go-Go happens in Dixon -- lots of pinball machines, you pay to get in (the money goes to local youth charities) and you don't have to drop quarters, the machines are on free play. Food, pinball parts, some games are for sale but the majority of them are just brought in to share pinball cheer with everyone. It's once a year and it;s lots of fun. Best day to visit is on Friday, or if that isn't possible try Sundays. Saturdays can get pretty busy but still fun since they have other things going on on Saturday like a flea market and silent auction.

My sweetie and I went to the event yesterday. It was a blast! So many pinball machines to play in two rooms! We came early which is always best to be able to play the most popular games first as those long lines to wait to play can be irritating although fair. But yes, this event is so popular that it gets crowded toward the end of the day! I got the chance to play my old classic favorites- Fun House, and Addams Family but only got to play a few of the latest games and did not get the chance to play the Princess Bride game as it was the most popular game with always a long line. But then, I do not like people hovering around when I play which is an advantage when playing the least popular or classic games as no one is waiting to play after you. Also, I once entered their raffle as a staff woman said I have a good chance of winning but I did not win. Raffles are always a thing of chance and the more money you put up for tickets, the better chance of winning. But the odds of winning plus more money spent to win, you need to question is it really worth it? Is the amount of money you are putting up about the same as say, you may be able to find the same items for sale on an online selling site at eBay, Etsy or Poshmark? Even then, it basically is a gambling game and I have wised up on that. I did it once and will not participate in it again.I was aware that the owner of the Pacific Pinball Museum was there to teach classes. Cool! But I miss the old days when he actually had a stand with clothing and other items for sale representing the museum. He also had updates on how his dream of a large facility to hold all their huge collection of pinball machines (some in storage) was coming to reality. At least, I subscribe to his newsletter. I wish him all the luck with his progress.

Enjoyed my first time at the event and most folks were friendly and helpful. Lot of rude people that lacked manners however. Was way too crowded on Saturday and had long waits at many pinball machines. Need to go on Friday when fewer crowds are there. Food was standard bar pub fast food fare but some good Mexican restaurants nearby that offer higher quality choices for less money. Overall a good experience for pinball fans and less expensive than buying a single machine! Lot of good onsite pinball techs kept the machines working. Few pinball vendors offering slight discounts on new machines.

Fun!!! Nice selection of games spanning at least 60 years. The modern band ones were really fun (Metallica, Rush, GnR). Surprisingly there were quite a few games that either didn't work or were unplugged. Kind of disappointing. Also more food options would have been nice, perhaps a few food trucks outside.