Important 2021 Show Update
Dear Pinball Community and Friends,
The past year has been difficult for all of us, not just those in the pinball community. The COVID-19 Pandemic has impacted nearly all aspects of our lives, especially entertainment. We certainly thought that as we cancelled the Golden State Pinball Festival in the Spring of 2020, that we would be having a festival the following year in May, 2021. Given the current infection rate as well as the anticipated number of people that will be vaccinated come mid-May, we do not feel that it would be safe or prudent to hold our event. Therefore, with a heavy heart, we are cancelling our festival for 2021.
A pinball show is a place where friends meet, shake hands, hug, play games and chat, chat, chat. Above all, we want to provide an environment where everyone can feel comfortable, safe, and the biggest worry is what food to try or which game to play next.
On the bright side, we are clearly on the path to overcome this virus. The Lodi Grape festival has assured us that we will be able to hold the 2022 Golden State Pinball Festival the weekend of May 13-15. For those of you that reserved a spot at Camp Silverball in 2020, we will continue to roll your reservations forward - no action on your part is necessary. The Northern California Pinball Association is fortunate that as a 501c(3) non-profit, our yearly overhead is low and we remain solvent; we are not going anywhere.
We look forward to welcoming you all back to Lodi in 2022. We know just how important all of you who volunteer and bring pins to the show are to having a successful event. YOU are the Golden State Pinball Festival! We appreciate your patience as we all wait for things to improve and we can get back to socializing and enjoying gathering again at pinball shows, museums, and arcades.
Though the Golden State Pinball Festival does not need donations, our good friends at Pacific Pinball Museum do have infrastructure to maintain. If you are financially able to do so, they would appreciate any contribution large or small, or even the purchase of one of their games to help tide them over during these difficult times. Donation information can be found at https://www.pacificpinball.org/donations
With gratitude and anticipation,
The Board of the Northern California Pinball Association
The Golden State Pinball Festival:
- Hundreds of pinball machines on FREE PLAY (w/admission) - no quarters needed. Indoor show space has grown to 3 buildings!
- Pinball parts, memorabilia, art and pinball machines for sale from great vendors
- Take home a pinball machine: drawings on Saturday & Sunday
- Come play in the Stern Pro Circuit or the Women's Tournament, separate kids tourney too!
- Flippin' Friday Kick-Off Party 6pm Friday (more info coming soon)
- Big Silent Auction on Saturday
- Covered Outdoor Game room Flea Market & Swap Meet on Saturday
- Pinball University: Workshops, Speakers, Pinlebrities and 'how-to'
- Pinball machine and board repair by Rob Anthony on site!
- WOW is cookin' up tempting meals and snacks with covered outdoor seating. Beer and wine will also be served
- RV parking on the premises at Camp Silverball, details at RV online page
- Check out hotel info on our FAQ page
- Great fun for the whole family! TONS OF PINBALL!
Don't miss this fun event!
Friday, May 14, 1pm to 11pm
Saturday, May 15, 10am to Midnight
Sunday, May 16, 9am to 5pm
Admission
3-day Pass - BEST DEAL $60, 13 & under $30
Friday or Sunday $20, 13 & under $10
Saturday $30, 13 & under $15
Weekend pass (sold on Saturday only) $45, 13 & under $20
Active Military with ID half price.
Note that there is an ATM machine on the premises.
Parking is free
Guests subject to change without notice.
Proceeds from this event...
Our 9th annual show! This annual event is presented by the Northern California Pinball Association (NCPA), a non-profit organization. The festival is strongly supported by pinball enthusiasts from all over Northern California and helps local youth charities. Many people bring their pinball machines to share, the organizers and volunteers are not paid to put on the show, we spread pinball joy and everyone benefits! See letter acknowledging receipt of funds here.
This year, proceeds from the festival will go to the World Of Wonders Science Museum in downtown Lodi, CA:
All told, over 125k has been raised by NCPA for the Dixon Teen Center (DTC). We have also helped benefit the Boys & Girls Club of Vacaville and 4-H. Come see a pinball machine we donated to the World of Wonders Science Museum in Lodi, our latest benefactor!
Volunteer at Golden State
Are you ready to share the joy of the silver ball and help raise money for local youth? Here at the Golden State Pinball Festival HQ things are starting to heat up and we need more volunteers!
WE NEED HELP!
We've got lots of jobs to fill to make this the best show ever. We can't do the show without the hard-working load-in and load-out crews, so you all will be treated like royalty, get a weekend pass and go home with the relaxed feeling like you spent the weekend in the Golden State!
We also have lots of fun jobs open during the show for door, raffle, security, pinball TECHS, etc. At least 3.25 hours gets you a free pass that same day and makes you feel good inside!
Sign up Now
If there are any questions please email Eric at eric@norcalpinball.org.
Location
The Golden State Pinball Festival is located "in the middle of everywhere" as we are only 45 miles from the Sacramento International Airport (SMF), about 30 minutes south of Sacramento, 90 minutes east of San Francisco, close to the sunny shores of
Santa Cruz and the snowy slopes of Lake Tahoe. We really are in the middle of it all!
Six Flags is just 60 miles away, California's Gold Country is practically next door - and Lodi is a short distance from Old Sacramento, home to the famous California State Railroad Museum. Speaking of museums, the Pacific Pinball Museum is about 65 miles close as well! Ever seen Lake Tahoe in the Spring? Just 1-1/2 hrs away!
Lodi is home to over 80 wineries and lots of outdoor activities abound! Downtown Lodi has some great restaurants and don't miss the original A&W Root Beer Restaurant right down the street from the show! And don't dare miss the World of Wonders Science Museum just minutes from the show. The WOW is chock-full of exhibits and other things for the whole family. The Pinball Fest is surrounded by lots of places to see and things to do!
WOW is cookin' up something special! This year our benefactor will be providing food service with some tempting meals you'll come back for! Snacks and other goodies will also be available. 4 out of 5 doctors agree that to excel in hand/eye coordination, frequent refueling is strongly advised! Beer and wine served too. Tables outdoors in sun or shade are provided--so plan to have a meal or a snack at "Gold State" this year!
Check out a short video on pinball and the show from Sac & Co on local KXTV ABC10.
All told, over 125k has been raised by NCPA for the Dixon Teen Center (DTC). We have also helped benefit the Boys & Girls Club of Vacaville and 4-H. Come see a pinball machine we donated to the World of Wonders Science Museum in Lodi, our latest benefactor!
Volunteer at Golden State
Are you ready to share the joy of the silver ball and help raise money for local youth? Here at the Golden State Pinball Festival HQ things are starting to heat up and we need more volunteers! WOW is cookin' up something special! This year our benefactor will be providing food service with some tempting meals you'll come back for! Snacks and other goodies will also be available. 4 out of 5 doctors agree that to excel in hand/eye coordination, frequent refueling is strongly advised! Beer and wine served too. Tables outdoors in sun or shade are provided--so plan to have a meal or a snack at "Gold State" this year!
WE NEED HELP!
We've got lots of jobs to fill to make this the best show ever. We can't do the show without the hard-working load-in and load-out crews, so you all will be treated like royalty, get a weekend pass and go home with the relaxed feeling like you spent the weekend in the Golden State!
We also have lots of fun jobs open during the show for door, raffle, security, pinball TECHS, etc. At least 3.25 hours gets you a free pass that same day and makes you feel good inside!
Sign up Now
If there are any questions please email Eric at eric@norcalpinball.org.
Location
The Golden State Pinball Festival is located "in the middle of everywhere" as we are only 45 miles from the Sacramento International Airport (SMF), about 30 minutes south of Sacramento, 90 minutes east of San Francisco, close to the sunny shores of
Santa Cruz and the snowy slopes of Lake Tahoe. We really are in the middle of it all!
Six Flags is just 60 miles away, California's Gold Country is practically next door - and Lodi is a short distance from Old Sacramento, home to the famous California State Railroad Museum. Speaking of museums, the Pacific Pinball Museum is about 65 miles close as well! Ever seen Lake Tahoe in the Spring? Just 1-1/2 hrs away!
Lodi is home to over 80 wineries and lots of outdoor activities abound! Downtown Lodi has some great restaurants and don't miss the original A&W Root Beer Restaurant right down the street from the show! And don't dare miss the World of Wonders Science Museum just minutes from the show. The WOW is chock-full of exhibits and other things for the whole family. The Pinball Fest is surrounded by lots of places to see and things to do!
Check out a short video on pinball and the show from Sac & Co on local KXTV ABC10.