It’s time, once again, to plug a great toy show that’s within easy driving distance of Charleston,  The PopCult crew will make its return to The Kentuckiana GI Joe Toy Expo this weekend. We’re going down early for the preview event the night before, and will stick around a little for Saturday’s show, while still dodging the crowds.

The Ninth Kentuckiana GI Joe Toy Expo happens this weekend in Louisville, Kentucky.  It’s open to the general public Saturday at the Hilton Garden Inn Louisville Airport, with an early preview package available for Friday night. This is a great show. I’ve been to several in the past, and a the end of this post you’ll find a link to our coverage of previous years.

As always there will be dozens of dealers with great vintage GI Joes, plus GI Joe from the Real American Hero era and brand-new custom uniform sets and figures for 12″ and 3 3/4″ GI Joes. Plus there will be tons of other action figures and toys for sale. You might find MEGO, Big Jim, Super Joe, Johnny West, Major Matt Mason and many other great toys from the past.

This year the big treat will be that we’ll get to see prototypes of Super Joe Unlimited,  a revival of sorts of one of GI Joe’s less-celebrated eras, courtesy of White Elephant Toys and Kentuckiana’s own Steve Stovall.

This year the convention special is a box/uniform combo wih a jungle adventure theme. Collectors will also be able to enjoy the custom figure and diorama contests.

Convention-goers can also expect other new sets from folks like Cotswold Collectibles, Mark Cole and Mattsquatch Customs. This is some terrific stuff that is keeping the 1/6 scale hobby alive. I believe that there will also be some exclusive 3 3/4″ GI Joe-style figures and items for sale at the show.

There won’t just be dealers on hand. Representatives from other GI Joe shows, like ToyLanta, The Hershey Action Figure and Toy Show and The DFW GI Joe and Action Figure Show will be there to show their support.

Visit the Kentuckiana GI Joe Toy Expo Facebook event page for more information. It should be a great time, and your PopCulteer will be there!

You can find PopCult’s previews, videos and more coverage of previous Kentuckiana shows by scrolling down THIS PAGE.