BLOOMINGTON, Ill. – The Toy Con Toy Show is coming to Bloomington-Normal for the first time, featuring toys from across the decades, including action figures, collectibles, and comic books.

Terrance Mannix has been running the toy show for 33 years, bringing it all around the Midwest. 

“Chicago is a base area where people feel like they can come out and have fun, do some shopping,” Mannix said. “We get big families that come out, we get young kids, we get older kids, we get grandparents, we get little kids, everybody comes out.” 

Mannix mentioned that after 33 years, the Toy Con Toy Show has been seeking something new to do, so this year’s latest venture is coming to Bloomington-Normal, a trek the show has not taken before.  

“We want to make sure we show what we do in different areas,” Mannix said. “We want to try to bring that feel of collecting toys everywhere, from the South side to the North. I really like that feeling, because rather than you having to keep driving, we want to bring the show over to somewhere closer to someone else.” 

Mannix participates in the Toy Con Toy Show for a good cause. Every year, he organizes a toy drive, often tied to the show or the holiday season, to raise money for those battling childhood cancer. 

“You can come in and get in for free if you bring a toy,” Mannix said. “We raise a good amount, last year we had a 10-foot U-Haul, almost four feet high, all the way back, full of boxes of toys, and all of those go to kids fighting cancer.” 

Mannix has been giving toys to charity for 28 years and counting. This allows the show to do giveaways and prizes. Mannix said his hope is for every child to leave with a toy. He wants Bloomington-Normal residents who have not been before to come experience something new.  

The Toy Con Toy Show is coming to Bloomington-Normal on October 5, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Bloomington Holiday Inn & Suites for the first time ever. 

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