Alameda’s Pacific Pinball Museum (PPM) and Novato’s Pinball Revival Company have announced the Sixth Annual Pacific Pinball Exposition (PPE) to be held at the Marin County Civic Center Exhibition Hall in San Rafael, California, September 21-23, 2012. PPE attracts thousands of visitors as the world’s largest pinball exhibition over the three-day weekend. PPE is the primary fundraiser for the PPM.
This year’s theme is Science and Pinball as the event aims to bring scientific concepts to life with PPM “pinballogists” presenting exhibits that explain the inner workings of pinball science. Features include: Jem Gruber’s exploration of the predictability of pinball’s “seeming randomness;” Melissa Harmon’s experiment into momentum; and Mike Schiess and Wade Krause’s “Visible Pins,” three different award-winning machines built in clear-plastic bodies that show off their inner workings.
PPM Board Member Ron Chan explains the event’s charm: “Private collectors have come together at PPE to create a unique view of Pinball History, from the rudimentary Bagatelle games to the just-released, cutting-edge game, Wizard of Oz. The show emphasizes all of pinball, from vintage machines, collections of rare games, and a large variety of modern pinball machines all ready to play without having to insert coins.” PPE features seminars from industry leaders, historians, scientists, engineers and hobbyists including special guests: George Gomez, Tim Arnold, Clay Harrell, Jersey Jack and Gary Stern. Industry reps and parts vendors will be on hand to sell their products to collectors. PPE also offers pinball movies, tours of the exposition, awards, a raffle, among other fun activities.
PPM’s art department will receive $16,000 in donations this year to continue the first annual PPE mural painting program. This year’s new PPE pieces include d’Arci Bruno’s “Slick Chick,” Ed Cassel’s “Domino,” Dan Fontes’ “Golden Gate,” and Eric J. Kos’s “Jungle Princess” and 20 more beautiful backglass murals will all be on display.
PPM Board Chairman Larry Zartarian shares: “Our mission statement is to inspire an interest in science, art and history through pinball and to preserve and promote this important part of American culture.”
Sponsors include Autodesk, Chabot Space & Science Center, and the Exploratorium. PPE offers a 1-Day Pass: Kids $15, Adults $30 or a 3-Day Pass: Kids $30, Adults $60. All proceeds benefit the Pacific Pinball Museum, Alameda, California, a 501(c)3 Non-Profit.
Pinball machine: courtesy Raphael Daniaud & Fotolia