Cigarfest 2015 Followup

In one of the threads leading up to Cigarfest I remembered someone asking for pictures and a write up on it. So here is my experience.

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The place this weekend began. Actually it is right by the ramp to get on the highway and I figured you guys might enjoy the photo.

First off, this was my first time attending the actual Cigarfest. Last year I went to the Oliva event and tailgated in the parking lot. This year I got tickets. I was a little on the fence if it was worth the actual cost to go but more on that later.

I arrived Thursday evening for the Sons of Anarchy, AJ Fernandez #AJAnyday event. It was actually held in a smaller blocked off section of the main event hall. Cigars International Had a store there running many sampler deals and selling Sons of Anarchy things. There were many seats around to relax and have a smoke. They also had the bar open and the drinks flowing. On to some shots.

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Rusty Coones

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Photo bombed by an oblivious man, he smelled the food, I think they were serving chicken that night....

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The Man, The myth, the Legend. AJ

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Shorty was there too.
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I decided to head back to the car and grab a few beers and a cigar. It was a good call. Not long after I parked a lady pulled in two spots down from me and ran over some parts to a tent some guys left laying in the parking lot. I was amused, they were kinda arrogant. I guess security had told them earlier they needed to remove the tent. They did not comply. So as I am walking to the car I got to see security standing on the security van dismantling the said tent for them. They were not happy. I tried to snap a picture but I was too slow.
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Said dudes took down the tent, then put it back up after security left. Not sure what the problem was but they did not really secure it and they were grilling under it. There were lots of other tents that weekend, so who knows but it was amusing.

First Cigar of the Fest
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First Cigar Band picked off the ground.

Thursday nights main raffle
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Shot of the store
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Trish@cbid
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At this point I was parched and had to refuel with a few 90 degree beers from some guy in the parking lot.

Still Thursday night I went to check out the party tent. Bands were playing there all night and they did some raffles and gameshow contests for prizes. Plenty of seating and lots of ash trays. Very nice.

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Grand Prize Raffle


Friday Morning cigarnut breakfast line
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A cigar bums best friend....and some random guy.

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Huge ass parking lot.

Entrance tent
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Fuente Booth inside the event
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Raffle station and hot beer dude.
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Standing in line to meet Jonathan Drew
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Some Random snow? Not real sure what it was but it was well above freezing the whole time and I was not willing to touch it to find out.

Saturday morning around 5AM
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MY accommodations Bum style. The wife did not want me sleeping in the car so I had to make use of my bum skills. I would dress in the hotel bathroom every morning and take a bum shower..see below.
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Some more bands I picked from the garbage
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Whats that!?!?!?! Why yes a free cigar left in the parking lot over night. cant let that go to waste.
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I got bounced around from room to room because of security but here are some of the fine accommodations a bum like myself can enjoy at cigarfest.

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Actually I slept on the couch of some dudes room I met last year for like 5 min. It was all good.

Welcome!!!
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The first cigar not to make it home....burn well little buddy.
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Saturday Cigarnut entrance line
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It was a long line,

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Caught this guy line 2 people from the entrance tent while the line was moving so I had to get a quick pick but the side of his helmet was pimped out Liga #9 logo.
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I totally meant to take more pictures inside but hey lets be honest I am fat so I tire easily and I had better things to do.

Lots of booths were throwing swag to the crowd. Lots of venders handing out cigars. On the way in CI hooks you up with their swag bag plus any goodies you have upgraded for. Then you get a ticket book that can be redeemed with each booth for more goodies. Along the way they had a fair amount of beer to sample. Many industry people to meet and attractions to enjoy. Its like comic con but for cigars.

Value? That is up to you. Living out of coolers and a camping grill I managed to spend $20 Thursday, Friday and Sat up there at wawa. The cigars and swag more than make up for the ticket cost as long as you enjoy a range of cigars. If you are very particular in what you like then the sampling is probably not for you. It is worth checking out at least once if you get the chance. Being the cheap bastard I am I managed to walk away feeling like I got my moneys worth and if you are personable there are plenty of great people to meet.

@Tombstone we need more, more, more! A few of us here were debating to go this year and want to consider next year so anything you got is much appreciated! Plus very cool that you saw Trish there!

Pretty cool, I also vote for much more

I vote for learning how to take a non-blurry picture. What the hell man?! I was there with you, you weren't drunk enough to warrant such crappy photos! Lol

Just kidding, we all had a great time, and I'm looking forward to next year where the plan is to borrow/rent an RV and tailgate while not actually inside the event hall. It's going to be glorious.

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Originally Posted by OldSkoolTarHeel

I vote for learning how to take a non-blurry picture. What the hell man?! I was there with you, you weren't drunk enough to warrant such crappy photos! Lol

Just kidding, we all had a great time, and I'm looking forward to next year where the plan is to borrow/rent an RV and tailgate while not actually inside the event hall. It's going to be glorious.

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I was kind of thinking it, but was trying to be nice

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Originally Posted by TreySC

I was kind of thinking it, but was trying to be nice

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I've known @Tombstone long enough to know that if you're not firmly critical with him, he'll never learn. He needs a good ass-whoopin' every once in a while.

Hey. It was smokey and i was not drinking yet and have no excuse other than i think I take better photos drunk.

I'll post up my photo's in the next few days. Today was my first day back to work and I'm freaking exhausted. It was great meeting up with a bunch of you on Saturday and a big thanks to Ryan and his wife Allison for their hospitality (e.g. beer and a place to stash all of our crap really close to the door....did I mention the beer).

Quote:

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Originally Posted by OldSkoolTarHeel

I vote for learning how to take a non-blurry picture. What the hell man?! I was there with you, you weren't drunk enough to warrant such crappy photos! Lol

Just kidding, we all had a great time, and I'm looking forward to next year where the plan is to borrow/rent an RV and tailgate while not actually inside the event hall. It's going to be glorious.

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Actually, those pics aren't too bad, considering he was obviously taking the pics using a potato! ;)

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Originally Posted by OldSkoolTarHeel

I vote for learning how to take a non-blurry picture. What the hell man?! I was there with you, you weren't drunk enough to warrant such crappy photos! Lol

Just kidding, we all had a great time, and I'm looking forward to next year where the plan is to borrow/rent an RV and tailgate while not actually inside the event hall. It's going to be glorious.

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@DogRockets @Horseshoe We need to crash this party next year...

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Originally Posted by 04EDGE40

@DogRockets @Horseshoe We need to crash this party next year...

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No joke! Road Trip!

Cigarfest was definitely a great time. Really enjoyed my first time there.

We need more pics bro.

Ugh, sorry but every picture is really blurry. Hurts the eyes...

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Originally Posted by Zeede

Ugh, sorry but every picture is really blurry. Hurts the eyes...

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Perhaps this will be more to your liking you ungrateful hebitch!
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Updated the place holders up top in thread. It was a blast It was great meeting up with several cigar bums and their groups. One other thought the event really brought a wide range of smokers from the hardcore to the noobie. It was nice chatting with a large variety of people there.

Nice recap, Ryan. It was great meeting you, your wife, and some other bums. Thanks for your hospitality.

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Originally Posted by tmoran

Nice recap, Ryan. It was great meeting you, your wife, and some other bums. Thanks for your hospitality.

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It was our pleasure. Hope you enjoyed the golf trip.

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Originally Posted by JustTroItIn

I'll post up my photo's in the next few days. Today was my first day back to work and I'm freaking exhausted. It was great meeting up with a bunch of you on Saturday and a big thanks to Ryan and his wife Allison for their hospitality (e.g. beer and a place to stash all of our crap really close to the door....did I mention the beer).

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It was a pleasure meeting you and your group.

Thanks for sharing Ryan! This is something that many of us can only hope to participate in and it's nice to see some views and hear about the experience. :encouragement:

After a week of playing catch up at work I now have the time to post some pics. I forgot to get the pictures my friends took, so these are all pretty one sided. I hope you enjoy.

Day 1, picked up my buddy Richard from Texas at Detroit Metro. He brought a gift of Montecristo Texas Edition cigars. Of course being a Texas Edition it's a great big 60x7. Here we are enjoying them that evening in my garage with some 21 year Balvenie.

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Day 2, drove straight from Detroit to the CI Hamburg Superstore for the Arturo Fuente event. Carlos, unfortunately, did not show up but the AF reps (specifically Kevin) were top notch guys. Smoking some AF Hemingway Short Story Maduros followed by Pepin Blue Label both enjoyed with Yuengling Lager (otherwise known as just "Lager" in PA).

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Day 3, a morning pipe sitting at a park bench outside our hotel. Richard is having a bowl of Sweet Vanilla Honeydew in a Nording Freehand. I'm smoking Dark Strong in an MM Mark Twain with Forever Stem.

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After our morning pipe we went to the CI Bethlehem Superstore for the Perdomo event. I didn't take any pictures there but we did meet Nick and he is a very nice guy.

For lunch we asked a local we had been talking to in CI for a recommendation. He sent us down the road to a little hole in the wall joint for the best Philly Cheese Steak I have ever had.

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That afternoon we met up with some guys at Famous Smoke in Easton. I was sticking with beer but Richard had one of the best Bloody Mary's there I have ever seen. It came complete with a big thick piece of bacon and was properly made with horse radish. Here we are at the table...this is where the cigars are starting to blend together so I can't even remember what we were smoking.

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The next morning we met up with the rest of our crew to go tour the Yuengling brewery. The morning started with breakfast but I'm not a breakfast guy so went across the street to a cafe for a bowl of Larry's Blend in a Malaga pipe. Richard is sticking with Sweet Vanilla Honeydew (he couldn't get enough of that stuff and sends his Thanks to @Tobias Lutz for sending it to me).

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I didn't take any pictures at the Yuengling brewery but once I get my hands on the pics my crew took I can post some up. That said, if you are ever out that way the tour is highly recommended.

That evening was the DE Pipe event (no pics again....sorry). The DE and Tsuge tobacco up for sampling was OK but the event was quite entertaining. If you looked like you even half assed knew what you were doing you were an immediate celebrity. I'm not sure how many cigar smokers will be taking up the pipe after the event, but there were a few whose interest was piqued.

After the pipe event we visited the big tent for Alec Bradley and Rocky Patel. There was booze, cigars, and the blenders had give aways and a Q&A. There was also a ton of smoke.

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Saturday was our last full day in PA and the day of cigarfest. This was the day I was lucky to meet up with some cigarbums.

Standing in line my friend Jay buys a T-Shirt.

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La Capitana
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Shorty at the Diesel booth
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The MOW special edition rolling table
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and Lastly, here is the haul I came home with.

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And now you know why I like MOW cigars so much

WOW! Great reviews and pics. Now that's what I would call a vacation!! My wife an daughter want to do another Disney Cruise next year. Perhaps I can use these pics to persuade them to make a journey to PA instead! :stogie:

WOW that is a haul!

Sweet trip...now I know where that pre-light aroma comes from on the MOW cigars...

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Originally Posted by JustTroItIn

Smoking some AF Hemingway Short Story Maduros followed by Pepin Blue Label both enjoyed with Yuengling Lager (otherwise known as just "Lager" in PA).

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welcome to PA lol

I forgot to upload my pictures.

You are all welcome in advance:

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It was a great time. I can't wait until next year!!

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Originally Posted by OldSkoolTarHeel

I forgot to upload my pictures.

You are all welcome in advance:

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It was a great time. I can't wait until next year!!

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Dave's sister in law is all up on you in the one picture. She knows about you being the waffle king and wants a piece of that action.

That was about 20% cigars and 80% Caboose's.... Good balance!...

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Originally Posted by OldSkoolTarHeel

I forgot to upload my pictures.

You are all welcome in advance:

http://i1353.photobucket.com/albums/...pslbk3du4q.jpg

http://i1353.photobucket.com/albums/...psvw9dsghk.jpg

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It was a great time. I can't wait until next year!!

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