Monday, August 29 2011
EVEN HURRICANE IRENE couldn't spoil the festivities this past weekend, August 26 & 27, when Famous Smoke Shop held their annual Cigar Expo, which featured a Carnival theme atmosphere. As one of my office colleagues who was assigned to parking detail said to me this morning, "Just give the folks some great cigars, good food and entertainment, and not even all that rain can ruin their fun." That was Saturday, which also kept some attendees, plus vendors like Kinky Friedman from showing up, mostly because he and many others had their flights cancelled due to the impending storm.
It all started on a sunny and dry Friday afternoon, as Miami Cigar & Company hosted the VIP pre-event welcome party serving Presidente beer and Guillermo Leon cigars (one of my current favorites; how'd I miss that?). By the end of the day, most of the vendors had made it to Easton, PA. Among the throng of manufacturers were Nick Perdomo Jr., Rocky Patel, Alan Rubin of Alec Bradley Cigars, Dan Carr, et, al of General Cigar. Oliva, Marvin Samel of Drew Estate, Garcia y Vega, Nestor Plasencia, Pete Johnson of Tatuaje Cigars, Janny Garcia of My Father Cigars, Berta "The Guayabera Lady" Bravo, Glenn Case of Kristoff Cigars, Glynn J. Loope of Cigar Rights of America, George Koodray et. al. of The Metropolitan Cigar Society, Yadi Gonzalez of Flor de Nicaragua, Jameson Cigars, Victor Vitale of The Cigar Agency, Carlos Toraño Cigars, Tim Swail of Boveda, Kurt Van Keppel of Xikar, Arturo Fuente Cigars, Abe Flores of Pinar del Rio Cigars, Cusano, Gran Habano Cigars, Altadis USA, Ernesto Perez-Carrillo of EPC Cigars, J.T. Guagliardo of Camacho Cigars, Vector Lighters, and my apologies to anyone I neglected.
Under the main tent, beverages (sponsored by Cusano Cigars) were served by eye-catching hostesses sponsored by Gran Habano Cigars who provided their sexy, two-piece attire; subsequently, VIP ticket holders enjoyed their cigars while a
band and a DJ took turns during breaks. (Entertainment was sponsored by Altadis U.S.A.) While all of this was happening, the new Famous Smoke Shop retail store was packed tighter than a
box of square-pressed cigars as attendees perused the new 2,000 sq. ft, walk-in
humidor and took advantage of the cigar and accessory specials.
Friday night, Gurkha Cigars sponsored the opening night party, and yours truly, along with my friend and Famous Smoke Shop colleague, Joe Ledva performed respectively on piano/vocals and bass. Though we rehearsed the set as a duo, Marvin Samel of Drew Estate provided additional vocals for many of the songs.
Saturday was Main Event Day. Though the weather was dense with cloudy skies and the occasional downpour, the turnout was excellent. I was assigned to hand out Famous Value Line Nicaraguan 300 cigars made by Protalasa, and Giraldilla La Habana made by Raices Cubanas in Honduras. I usually ask where people are from as they come up to the table to get their cigars, and I met people from all over the New York/New Jersey/Pennsylvania tri-state area, as well as upstate New York, Western Pennsylvania, North Carolina, Wisconsin, Rhode Island, Delaware, and Chicago. I also recognized a lot of faces from previous Cigar Expos. Apropos of nothing, I smoked one of the Value Line 300 Nics this morning, and it was quite impressive. I may even make it my Cigar of the Week this Wednesday.
Another thing that caught my attention was the number of women in attendance this year. Many were there with their husbands and boyfriends mostly for companionship, but I also met several women who were serious cigar smokers.
Back in the store lounge, men were getting straight razor shaves sponsored by Drew Estate. That's when I realized I shouldn't have shaved before coming in. I always wanted one of those shaves. And if that wasn't enough pampering, outside Camacho Cigars sponsored a tent where you could get a neck or back massage.
While lunch was served, which included pulled pork, hamburgers, hot dogs, sausages, and sides, several performers did their acts on the main stage. It was also about this time that Jeff Brown announced the Drew Estate Casino was open for business. Later on, during the dinner hour, another band performed as the guests dined on roast pig stuffed with spices in the center. Following dinner, Jeff began the raffle which included everything from ashtrays to i-Pads, to trips to Nicaragua and Honduras.
Unfortunately, I had to blow-off the After Party sponsored by Rocky Patel Saturday night. I went home to shower and change, and by the time I was supposed to head back the rain was coming down in buckets and some of the roads were already beginning to flood. I actually got in my car and made it halfway there until common sense told me it wasn’t worth the risk, since several hours later it was going to be even worse.
I would be remiss if I didn't mention how great the staffs from both the Leaf Restaurant and Famous retail store handled literally hundreds of visitors, not to mention the Famous Smoke Shop employees who had to do a lot of the grunt work. Thanks also to all the vendors who made it, and without whom, there would be no event.
Finally, Famous has already received a truckload's worth of emails from attendees saying what a great time that had. And that's really what it's all about, isn't it?
If you were there, please leave comment below and tell us about your experience. In the meantime, see you next year!
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