An event for comic book lovers and collectible enthusiasts of all ages is returning to Far Rockaway.
The eighth Queens Culture Clash will be held on Sunday, June 8 at the Knights of Columbus building located at 333 Beach 90th St., from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Admission to the event is free, but Culture Clash organizer and founder Robert “Bob” Groff is encouraging attendees to purchase 50/50 raffle tickets. All proceeds will be donated to Rockaway Beach Autism Families. Some of the raffle prizes include a Lawrence Taylor autographed jersey, Orange Theory Classes, and Captain America posters.
Attendees can shop from over 30 vendors selling sports and Pokémon cards, Funko Pops, vintage toys, comics, and more.
The first 100 kids who attend the event will get a brand-new pack of baseball trading cards, sponsored by Rip It Card Co., a new sports card shop opening in Cedarhurst this June.
Groff is also taking equipment donations from attendees to support the Kiwanis Little League Baseball League that just started. Anyone interested in donating can provide Little League bats, catcher’s mittens, first baseman gloves, sunscreen, and first aid kits, which will be collected at the event.
As the principal of a local public school, Groff said he’s always interested in giving back to the local community. “I’m a public school principal full time, and I see the need for more support for families that have children who are autistic, and Rockaway Beach Autism Families does that,” Groff said. “ They have support groups, and they run awareness events and opportunities to gather families together, support each other, and learn some of the things that can help their children in public schools, so that’s something that I want to support,” he said.
As for his support of the Kiwanis Little League, Groff said he’s reminded of his time playing baseball as a child. “I remember playing Little League as a kid, my dad was my Little League coach, and that was something really fun for my brother and I wanted to find an opportunity to support Kiwanis doing this and growing that for kids in Rockaway,” he said.
Groff emphasized that this is a unique opportunity for collectors in the Queens community to unite. “ There isn’t anything like it in the area, and in Queens generally, there’s very little opportunity for people to gather together that are collectors of sports cards, comic books, Funko Pops, Pokemon…in Rockway, there hasn’t been anything. I’m excited to keep growing the collecting community in Rockaway and stay connected to the community through what we can give back,” he said.
During his free time, Groff runs 7 Inning Stretch Collectibles Rockaway, which buys, sells, and trades sports collectible cards to interested individuals.
