The South Bend Record Show, the largest one-day sale of recorded music in Michiana, returns 11 a.m.-5 p.m. on Aug. 2 with added safety precautions in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.
The popular record show, which is typically held six times a year, opened the 2020 season on Feb. 9 at its new location – Ramada by Wyndham (formerly Waterford Estates Lodge), 52890 IN 933 N. Due to public health concerns, the scheduled April 5 and June 7 dates were canceled. The South Bend Record Show, however, will hold its Aug. 2 event with some noticeable changes in place.
Masks will be required for both customers and vendors in compliance with St. Joseph County’s mask order, which requires face coverings for all people inside businesses and enclosed public spaces where social distancing of at least six feet can’t be maintained. Hand sanitizer will be available at the entrance for customers, and capacity will be limited to 250 people at one time under Indiana’s Mass Gathering Act.
“The safety of our customers, our vendors, and our community is our first priority,” said South Bend resident Jeremy D. Bonfiglio, who organizes the event. “After speaking at length with Ramada staff, our returning vendors, and loyal customers, we felt we could implement the measures needed to have both a safe and fun event. After four months of staying home, we are equally confident that our customers are more than ready to add to their music collections.”
In 2020, the South Bend Record Show moved into the 9,000-square-foot banquet room of Ramada by Wyndham. With the larger venue (more than twice the size of its previous space), Bonfiglio added that customers and vendors can and should social distance as much as possible. Customers also are encouraged but not required to take other safety measures, such as wearing disposable gloves and bringing personal hand sanitizer and their own shopping bags as needed.
More than 30 dealers from six states will fill 74 tables with tens of thousands of music items from $2 bargains for beginning collectors to rare items for the advanced music enthusiast. While the core of the show remains pre-loved LPs and 45s, select vendors also carry new vinyl, CDs, cassettes, music videos, memorabilia, and vintage stereo gear. For a small fee, customers also can have their purchases professionally cleaned on a VPI Record Cleaning Vacuum Machine. A variety of musical genres, such as jazz, country, and movie soundtracks, are represented but the emphasis is on rock, pop, metal, and punk from the 1960s-today.
“One of the great things about this show is that there is something for everyone,” Bonfiglio said. “Some of our dealers specialize in 45s or CDs, some sell concert DVDs, and cassettes. We have one dealer who restores and sells vintage stereo equipment. But this is a record show, so there are always plenty of LPs.”
Admission is free at 11 a.m. Those interested in shopping as dealers set up, can pay an early bird admission of $5 beginning at 9 a.m.
Door prizes are awarded at noon, 1:30 and 3 p.m., and food and beverages, including beer, are available for purchase. While some individual dealers do accept PayPal and/or credit card payments, cash is accepted and preferred by all vendors.
For more information, visit southbendrecordshow.com or Facebook.com/southbendrecordshow.
