News

Getting ready for the 2026 National Contest, or just looking for inspiration for your entry? The categories and rules are posted and ready to guide you.

The contest will be broken into 208 categories, though some may be split based on the number of entries.

Among the highlights for this year is eight categories for Gunpla and Mecha in addition to youth categories for those models. Remember, too, that in addition to the national categories, the convention has seven special categories: Happy Birthday America; Truck Town USA; Gundam RX-78 - Back to the Beginning; 60th…

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Nora and I would like to tell you about a burger joint with the best onion rings we’ve found in Fort Wayne, Don Hall’s Hollywood Drive-In, located at 4416 Lima Road (on the corner of Lima Road and Coliseum Blvd.), a short ten-minute, three-and-a-half-mile drive from the convention center.

Hall's Drive-In

Nora and I are onion ring fanatics. Sometimes we go to Don Hall’s Hollywood Drive-In and get a basket of onion rings and a diet Pepsi, and that’s all we eat.

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We'd like to acquaint you with the Firefighter’s Museum in downtown Fort Wayne, located at 226 W. Washington Blvd., directly across the street from the convention center.

Firefighter Museum American LaFrance

The Fire Fighter’s Museum stands as a proud testament to the bravery and dedication of the men and women who have served the city’s fire departments over the decades. This museum is not only a repository of historical artifacts, but also a vibrant community center that…

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It is our distinct pleasure to announce that we have secured a 50-seat block of tickets for the Fort Wayne TinCaps vs. the West Michigan Whitecaps (Grand Rapids) game on Friday, August 7, 2026. It will be Star Wars night at Parkview Field and there will be post-game fireworks for the entire family to enjoy.

TinCaps

Tickets are field level seats in Section 112. Each ticket is $14.00 (regular price is $17.00).

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There is one eatery, above all others, in downtown that we would be greatly remiss if we did not tell you about: Fort Wayne’s Famous Coney Island Wiener Stand, an Iconic hot dog stand with more than a century of flavor, located at 131 West Main Street, a short three-block, five-minute walk from the convention center.

Famous Coney Island neon

Coney Island is a culinary institution like no other. Fort Wayne’s Famous Coney Island has been serving up its signature coney…

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The question of what to do with a stash of unbuilt model kits, especially when the modeler passes away, seems to be rising more and more often. Last year, I had the solution to the problem pushed on me after a flood. I'm sharing my story with the hope that it may provide food for thought to others.

Every modeler has a work space and, like many modelers, mine's in the basement. Also, like many modelers, I had a large stash of unbuilt kits, a pile of started but uncompleted models, and yes, even some finished projects.

For over thirty years things went fine until July of last…

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Today, we'd like to introduce you to a Fort Wayne icon; Don Hall, a renowned name in Fort Wayne with a rich local history synonymous with classic American dining. Established in 1946 by Don Hall, the restaurant group began as a simple drive-in and has blossomed into a collection of unique establishments that are deeply embedded in the city’s cultural and culinary landscape. Don Hall’s restaurants are known for their commitment to quality, friendly service, and a welcoming atmosphere that appeals to both locals and visitors alike.

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Today we want to bring your attention to a Fort Wayne culinary staple, Shigs In Pit BBQ, located at 8506 Illinois Rd., a 16-minute, 6.3-mile drive from the convention center.

Shigs in Pit

When it comes to mouthwatering barbecue in Fort Wayne, we would be remiss if we didn’t include Shigs In Pit, an iconic destination for local barbecue aficionados. Founded by three friends passionate about competitive barbecue, the restaurant’s name is a…

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Today we want to introduce you to a Fort Wayne gem that will baffle some and enthrall others: Wizard's World Pinball Arcade, located at 14613 Lima Road, a 10.3-mile, twenty-minute drive from the convention center. Wizard's World has more than 170 pinball machines, is ranked in the top ten largest pinball arcades in the world, and hosts pinball tournaments every Saturday.

Wizard's World logo

Nestled just north of downtown Fort Wayne, Wizard's…

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