02/17/2026
2026 PORKY SHOW WRAP UP REPORT
A record breaking 44th annual Porky Show wrapped up Saturday, January 17, 2026 with hundreds of people in attendance and $6650 donated to the Claremont Police Explorers. This year’s event had collectors from Japan, Australia, Italy, Canada, and all over the USA in attendance.
The exclusive Porky Show hotel, the Claremont Double Tree reported over 50 rooms reserved at the special hotel group discount rate, with collectors checking in as early as Wednesday before the event date and staying as late as Monday after the Porky show concluded. Many reported beginning their memorabilia acquisitioning days before the Saturday event at the hotel and local collector’s homes and continuing days after The Porky Show officially concluded.
Saturday, the Porky Show staff arrived at 5:45a.m to discover numerous cars and one RV already waiting in the Taylor Hall parking lot. With an official start time of 8a.m. the hosts were accommodating of the exuberant early arrivals by opening the doors at 6:45 a.m. with the show in full swing by 7:30am.
Darryl M. Lindsay said, “Thank you so much to you and your staff of volunteers for an awesome show. I enjoyed it very much and was fortunate in that I had a long and successful day there. I had the pleasure of spending my day next to Larry Brown with the San Bernardino County Sheriff's Museum crew, alongside their restored patrol cars, a Chevrolet Nova and a Ford Crown Victoria. I was fortunate in that Justin Williams came to my rescue in helping me with sales for the day. The weather was perfect, and the food and refreshments being sold by the explorers was very much appreciated. As I watched the foot traffic go by, and enter the hall occasionally during the day, I was impressed to see the isles so crowded that you couldn't see past the people. There was more foot traffic here then I've seen at several national shows. Also, the length of the event went on much longer than usual, as I watched transactions still being done inside past 1 pm, along with some of my own. Having been a show host myself for many years, I can appreciate the amount of effort it takes to continue to do this year after year. It also takes someone who takes the lead on coordination, including marketing, table sales, logistics, and the large amount of work that goes into this event annually. Thank you Dennis Smith and Nick Cardaras for your expertise and dedication with this event.”
Gary Hoving came down from San Luis Obispo, California sharing, “The 2026 Porky Collector Show was another successful event. As expected, the coordination and preparation for the event was exceptional thanks to the Porky Show team. Participation from the public appeared to be at an all-time high in my estimation. Many table holders reported a high volume of sales and trades. An added benefit was one vendor outside the entrance with a large collection of law enforcement and fire artifacts for sale. Thanks to Darryl Lindsay for bringing some great eye candy. The San Bernardino Sheriff's Historical Society displayed several old and expertly restored Sheriff patrol cars. Thanks to Larry Brown, Doug Brimmer and crew for making that happen. Unfortunately, I do not know all of the exhibitor award recipients. What I do know is the two California Law Enforcement Historical Society (CLEHS) members received awards, Phil Colonnelli and Chris Viegas. These gentlemen always provide world-class exhibits and were suitably recognized. By all definitions, this was a great event, perfect weather, and high volume of attendees. We will look forward to the 2027 show.
Alan Sherwood from Oceanside, California, “This year the Porky’s event was very memorable. I met many fellow collectors, including some who have been extremely helpful to me and my collecting. Over the years in several cases, I have been advised by my friends to steer clear of what I thought were great finds, when in fact they were not. Like all hobbies, live and learn. I picked up a San Diego PD badge, one of those “had to have it” moments. No regrets there, looks great and fits right into the collection. Aside from all of the great people and interesting displays, I was drawn to a table with some very unique old prisoner restraints. The table was managed by Mark Lyons, someone who I had never met in person. As I looked over the various antique cuffs, I saw a badge to my right in his display. I took a closer look and could not believe my own eyes. It was my issued badge from the 1980’s from the agency I retired from. The badge had been turned over when I was promoted to Sergeant in 1996, and I had not seen it since. I had been looking for this badge for about 15 years. Well on this day the search was over, and Mark happily sold it to me. Mark was happy that I found it, he is a great guy. Welcome home to my old badge, and thank you Mark and the Porky show. And now I start saving money for next year. The beautiful babe almost found my last stash. Going to have to think about a new spot. Not that she minds me having fun, but she won’t give up her office to be another hobby room. I may have to buy a larger house.”
Phil Colonnelli came up from San Diego County, “Porky’s, being the Granddaddy of law enforcement collectable shows, doesn’t materialize by the efforts of one or two people; Nick Cardaras, Dennis Smith, and the Claremont PD Explorers, have running this show down to a real science. Saturday was my 18th Porky’s and I hope many more to come. Congrats to all!
Art Fox came in from Colorado, “Great show and you and your crew did a great job, look forward to 2027.
Long time attendee Bob Fricke, “A very well put together show, AS USUAL. Kudos to all the sponsors, they have done an outstanding job. For me it was a special as I got to see and talk with fellow traders and co-workers, and bring back good memories plus those old war stories. A special thanks to everyone there who help recreate those memories.”
Kelly D. Seidel shared, “I picked up a beautiful and rare Fire Line Pass badge from the City Of Los Angeles. Thank you for always putting on a fantastic show. Looking forward to 2027.”
Jim Casey: “Porky was a fun show seeing old friends and picking up a half dozen badges.”
Dennis Shell, “Show was great. Found lots of new items, met many new faces; just the best. Thanks for producing this wonderful show.”
Kazunori Shoji, Tomoyuki Okoshi, and Hiro Ogawa, flew in all the way from Japan to enjoy the Porky Show! Mr. Shoji and Okoshi have joined us for many years, and Mr. Ogawa was a first timer, with both pledging to return for 2027.
Cameron Kirkpatrick made the trek from Australia and is also a multi-year visitor to the Porky Show event.
Mark Bray from Fresno County, California, “Only had a short time at The Porky Show today, but I still picked up some rare and current patches for my collection. Thanks Dennis Smith and Nick Cardaras for being great hosts.”
Sean Saylor, West Sacramento, California shared, “Great show, picked up a handful off my wants list!”
Mike Lucas from Arizona, “The 2026 Annual Porky Show is
awesome every year, and a law enforcement officer reunion atmosphere! I congratulate you on putting on the best show in the nation! I saw many new faces at the show and reminisced about the old friends who were no longer with us. The show has lasted many years and is evidence that the show must go on for the benefit of the old, new and youth explorers who are the next generation of police and collectors of the hobby!”
Honorably retired Burbank California Police Lieutenant Will Berry has been a faithful supporter of the Porky Show since the 1980s. This year Will displayed a superb collection of Burbank Police Department shoulder patches along with an exquisite set of law enforcement patches from Australia.
Numerous tables were offering rare badges and patches not often available. An ultra-rare first issue white Hawthorne Police (Los Angeles County, California) patch was spotted by a few collectors in the hands of one lucky person. In one instance, a genuine rare defunct Dairyland (Orange County, California) Police patch found for sale only lasted a few minutes into the show before selling for a reported $2000! Quite a few collectors were ecstatic with the rare opportunity to add these gems to their collections.
Mark Hall-Patton, of TV show “Pawn Stars” fame was once again in attendance. Mark barely made it in the door before being approached for photos and historical assessment of collectibles. Mr. Hall-Patton always the gracious patient gentleman took it all in stride and even added some collectibles to his personal collection.
The Claremont Courier local newspaper visited the Porky Show and published a brief article with photos memorializing the 2026 event.
You may view the article by clicking on this link:
https://claremont-courier.com/latest-news/porky-show-nets-6k-for-cpd-explorers-86766/
This year’s awards winners:
Best Badge Display: Chris Villegas – Calaveras County Sheriff memorabilia
Best Patch Display: Phil Colonnelli – San Diego County patches
Best of Show: Jesse Cardenas – Los Angeles Police Freeway Flyers Display
Photos from the 2026 show are posted on The Porky Show webpage and Facebook group along with several short videos of the 2026 event. A special thanks to Jacquelyn Smith, Casey Smith, Richard Horak, Kazunori Shoji, and Hiro Ogawa for helping with pre-Porky show set up. And, a big tip of the hat to co-host Nick Cardaras for his year round support and coordinating table reservation requests. We will do it all again Saturday, January 16, 2027. In the meantime you may visit and keep in touch with all your Porky Show friends year round by visiting the Porky Show website www.theporkyshow.com and the Porky Show page anytime.
police memorabilia show
