The scale modeling community across the East Coast is preparing for one of the region’s premier hobby events as the Roanoke Valley Chapter of the International Plastic Modelers’ Society (RVIPMS) and the associated chapters of IPMS Region 2 proudly announce the:
2026 VIRGINIA SHOOT-OUT
Date: August 22, 2026
Location: Salem Civic Center
Salem, Virginia
At www.AFVhobbyhub.com, we proudly support IPMS chapters, regional contests, and model shows that help strengthen and grow the scale modeling hobby. Events like the Virginia Shoot-Out continue to bring together modelers, vendors, collectors, and hobby families from across the country to celebrate creativity, craftsmanship, and community.
A Major Modeling Event for the East Coast
The Virginia Shoot-Out has become one of the most anticipated IPMS regional events in the Mid-Atlantic, drawing hobbyists from:
- Region 2
- Region 3
- Region 12
- The broader East Coast modeling community
The organizers are especially looking forward to welcoming longtime hobby friends as well as new modelers attending the event for the first time.
Whether your passion is:
- Armor and AFVs
- Aircraft
- Ships
- Automotive subjects
- Figure painting
- Science fiction
- Gundam and mecha
- Dioramas
…the Virginia Shoot-Out promises an exciting and welcoming environment for builders of every interest and skill level.
The Salem Civic Center
The event will once again be held at the:
Salem Civic Center
in Salem, Virginia.
The large venue allows organizers to provide:
- Spacious contest display areas
- Expanded vendor space
- Comfortable shopping areas
- Easy access for vendors and attendees
- Room for raffles and special exhibits
Its central Mid-Atlantic location also makes the show highly accessible for modelers traveling throughout the southeastern and northeastern United States.
A Vendor Room Packed with Possibilities
One of the biggest attractions of the Virginia Shoot-Out will once again be the massive vendor area.
As organizers described it: "Whether your interests center on the beautiful, sleek lines of a fighter jet, or the plodding massive bulk of a T-34 tank, or the graceful curve of the hull of a steel frigate, or even the “out-of-this world” alien spacecraft, the vendors will have your selections ready for transport to your already overloaded shelves at home."
Attendees can expect vendors carrying:
- Plastic model kits
- Aftermarket detail sets
- Resin upgrades
- Decals
- Paints and weathering products
- Hobby tools
- Books and references
- Rare and out-of-production kits
- Sci-fi and Gundam subjects
The vendor room is expected to fill all available Civic Center arena space, creating a major shopping destination for hobbyists throughout the region.
Vendors Traveling from Across the Country
The Virginia Shoot-Out continues attracting vendors from long distances who make the trip specifically to support the East Coast modeling community.
This gives attendees the opportunity to find:
- Hard-to-find kits
- Specialty products
- Limited-run aftermarket accessories
- Rare reference materials
- Vintage collectibles
For many hobbyists, model show vendor rooms are the perfect place to discover inspiration for future builds and projects.
Vendor Information
Interested vendors are encouraged to reserve space early.
Vendor Tables
💲 $35.00 per table
For reservations and multiple-table arrangements:
Vendor Coordinator
Greg Clower gclower@aol.com
Greg can also assist vendors interested in securing larger table blocks or special arrangements.
A Celebration of Community & Creativity
Regional events like the Virginia Shoot-Out are important because they provide much more than competition alone.
These shows help:
- Bring hobbyists together
- Encourage newer modelers
- Share techniques and ideas
- Support local IPMS chapters
- Promote creativity and craftsmanship
- Inspire future generations of builders
Model contests and vendor shows remain one of the best ways for hobbyists to connect face-to-face and celebrate the shared passion for scale modeling.
Why Events Like This Matter
At www.AFVhobbyhub.com, we believe regional contests and model shows are essential to the future of the hobby.
Events like the Virginia Shoot-Out:
- Keep local modeling communities strong
- Support hobby manufacturers and vendors
- Preserve military and aviation history through modeling
- Encourage artistic development
- Create lifelong friendships within the hobby
Whether you're an experienced national-level competitor or simply someone who enjoys building models at home, shows like this provide inspiration you simply cannot duplicate online.
Supporting the Modeling Community
At www.AFVhobbyhub.com, we proudly support:
- IPMS chapters
- Regional contests
- National conventions
- Armor and aircraft modelers
- Gundam and sci-fi builders
- Automotive and ship modelers
- Independent vendors and hobby retailers
We encourage hobbyists throughout the East Coast and beyond to support the 2026 Virginia Shoot-Out and help continue growing the scale modeling community.
Plan Your Visit
August 22, 2026
Salem Civic Center
Salem, Virginia
If you love scale modeling, vendor shopping, hobby fellowship, and seeing incredible builds from modelers throughout the region, the Virginia Shoot-Out is an event you will not want to miss.
Visit AFV Hobby Hub
For armor kits, aircraft models, tools, paints, weathering supplies, aftermarket accessories, and hobby news:
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