One of the first activities on tap for our Family Correspondents this week was hosting an impromptu Pin Stop at the Art Gallery in downtown Vancouver. They were laden with new Petro-Canada Olympic pins to trade.
The day was clear and dry, and pin-traders (affectionately known as "pin heads") were out in full force.
The FC's shared some of their favourite moments and pin trades from the day:
Anne-Marie says that her fav trade was with two young brothers from the US. "I traded for a US goalie mask and a US flag. They were very nice boys - about 6 & 8 years old."
Rob told us, "I was able to pick this pin off of a tray of pins from what I would say was an experienced pin trader! She wanted a Quatchi pin and I thought of my dad instantly when I saw the leafs pin! Had to have it!"
Denis had a great moment with some family members of Canadian Gold Medalist, Alexandre Bilodeau. "My favorite part about the Pin Trading event was when I met Frédéric Bilodeau and his dad, Serge. This was the day after Alexandre had won Gold and everyone was still buzzing. The Bilodeaus were like rock stars and everyone had learned about the inspirational story of Frédéric. I had my leg brace on when I went over to Frédéric and said that I loved skiing and to do tricks. Then I pointed at my knee and said I would not be able to do the same things Alexandre does. In French, Frédéric said, from his wheelchair, 'I also have a little difficulty skiing'."
Denis continues, "My favorite pin is the Torch bearer pin. I had to trade two medals for it. But afterward I was offered 10 pins for it from all kinds of previous Olympics - which I declined. It was only offered to those who were Torch bearers. Very cool and unusual."
Rob gets in on the pin-tradin' action!
Now for those of you who couldn't make it down to the Petro-Canada Pin Stop, we'd still like to offer you an opportunity to snag a pin. Just leave a comment on this post (make sure you have a valid email address - it's our only way to get in touch with you - but don't worry, it's not made public) and tell us your fav pin story - maybe how you got involved in pin trading or what your best trade has been. We'll select a random recipient from the comments. Oh, and if your comment doesn't publish right away, don't worry - they are all held in a queue for moderation.
So share your best pin trading stories with us! But do it soon! We'll close the comments on Thursday, Feb 25, 2010 at 9PM Pacific Time.
Update Feb 27: We've selected our random pin winner from the comments - Stella W. from Vancouver! Congrats, Stella - we'll get your pin out in the mail to you right away. Go, Canada!
I have been totally suckered into the pin game...I keep trying to collect but I don't want to give any up. Have to remember to collect and carry spares! I love the Petro-Canada glass pins...I still have glasses from '88!
Posted by: Jay | February 25, 2010 at 07:49 PM
I have to admit your pins are steller. As well as all the glasses
Posted by: Albert mallette | February 25, 2010 at 07:05 PM
A friend of a friend is a youth ambassador from Yukon working during the Olympics as a volunteer. He was given a set of pins to wear and trade, including an exclusive 4 pin dogsled set that represents Canada's northern territories. He's not really into pins so he gave the set to me! I bought him a beer! :)
Posted by: Carolyne | February 25, 2010 at 06:44 PM
love the idea of trading pins, what a great way to meet people
Posted by: laura | February 25, 2010 at 06:42 PM
I have one Olympic pin so far! Would love to win another!
Posted by: debh | February 25, 2010 at 06:37 PM
I envy all of you as I could not make it to the Van olympics, so have lots of fun with the pin trading.
Posted by: Mona Cayley | February 25, 2010 at 06:35 PM
great blog however still don't see vancouver islands chance
Posted by: shawn nielsen | February 25, 2010 at 06:24 PM
We are performing at the Olympics in 10 different events. Some days are nice and dry, Some day are cold and wet. The audience loved our fiddling and clogging. As we can't accept money they give us pins instead. One Japanese lady gave us two Japanese pins and cover us with her umbrella for us in the rainy night. And we also got two Canadian pins and one American one from others but the most precious one are the performers pins we got from the Olympics committees. Thanks to the once of a life time chance we got.
Posted by: Fiddlin' Frenzy | February 25, 2010 at 05:52 PM
I haven't had a chance to get any pins yets and would love one... I have been under the weather and have only had a chance to experiance the Olympics on TV but am enjoying it emensly ... Go Canada Go...
Posted by: Patricia Klose | February 25, 2010 at 05:49 PM
I love collecting pins. I am a 10 pin bowler and I represent Maccabi Canada (Jewish Olympics). They are held every 4 years in israel. I have been collecting pins since I started in 1989. I have pins from all over the world. I have a total of 19 medals since 1989. I won my first individual gold medal in 2005 in israel. I have also participated in our Pan American Maccabiah games in 1999 Mexico City, 2003 Santiago Chile and 2006 Sydney Australia. I would love to add to my collection a petro canada pin. Thanks Lisa.
Posted by: Lisa Abush | February 25, 2010 at 05:39 PM
Loving the large pin community in Vancouver, viewing new pins is just something I have to get excited for!
Posted by: Lisa DUgo | February 25, 2010 at 05:38 PM
I was so proud after one Olympics to be given an official NBC Olympics Pin. It has a special place among my over 500 pins.
I would very much like something of these Olympics in my own country
Posted by: Susan Mitchell | February 25, 2010 at 05:34 PM
I love pin trading to meet new friends from different country and learn their culture, tradition and enjoy talking to them. Some pins have a great story with memories of life.
Posted by: Stella Wong | February 25, 2010 at 12:49 AM
During the 88 olympics I was 7 years old. My favorite memory of my parents is going to Olypmic Plaza every evening while my dad tried to trade and get pins. My parents are generally the type of people to stay at home in the evenings, but they were out every night trading and looking for pins. It was so exciting and something I will never forget. This Olymipics I watched the opening ceremonies and just had to book a trip to Vancouver just to be there to take part in the celebrations. Watching everything on TV reminded me of the fun time I had with my parents in 1988 in calgary
Posted by: A S | February 24, 2010 at 03:28 PM
WOO! GO CANADA GO!
pretty sure all of the pins i have seen so far are AMAZING! they did SUCH a good job on them, it just makes me want them all! =D
Posted by: Meaghan Gallant | February 20, 2010 at 02:51 PM
So far my best pin trade was while waiting on the bus at Yaletown Canada line. Traded a Canadian USA flag pin for a Starbucks Employee pin! WHoo Hoo!!
Posted by: Kim Kitchen | February 20, 2010 at 02:14 AM
I have to say that I am the proudest I have ever been to be a Canadian.....this is just wild! My girls are trying to collect all the pins that they can......especially from the Olympics. They are 6 and 9 yrs old and we couldnt afford to attend the Olympics this year. I have bought all the pins that I could for them here in Shaunavon, SK but alas its not many. For them to get a Petro Canada Olympic pin would make their day.
Posted by: Lori Jerome | February 19, 2010 at 11:55 PM
Great idea! I love collecting pins, but Olympic pins especially! I have emailed sponsors of the winter games and got some really cool pins sent to me! I have also bought a couple online! I wish i was in Vancouver to trade them. It is my dream to one day go to the Olympics and participate in the pin trading.I would love to add one of your special pins to my collection!
Posted by: Ian | February 19, 2010 at 11:36 PM
Go Canada!! I became very interested in pin trading around June and at first collected corporate sponsors for the 2010 Olympics. Since then, I have extended to retail pins and National Olympic Committee pins. I have met a lot of friendly faces and have had a lot of fun.
Posted by: Shawn de Jong | February 19, 2010 at 08:47 PM
my son has been very ill.....he has collected pins for about 4 of his 7 years....we sit quietly every evening together and watch the olympics....i would love nothing more than to be able to give him an olympic pin from petro canada .....here's hoping!!!
Posted by: cheryl eaton | February 19, 2010 at 08:08 PM
I have been collecting pins since I was a little girl; I used to pin them on a baseball cap! I love that they are small reminders of things/events that have been important to me at different points in my life. I would love to have a Petro-Canada Olympic pin to add to my collection!
Posted by: Sonja Z. | February 19, 2010 at 08:07 PM
Love these pins!! I would love to win these!!
Posted by: Rosanna | February 19, 2010 at 07:37 PM
love the pins!!!!!
Posted by: Amy | February 19, 2010 at 06:31 PM
I've been collecting pins for many many years and would love to win a Petro-Canada Olympic pin to add to my collection.
Gold Canada Gold
Posted by: Marni Bell | February 19, 2010 at 05:24 PM
My name is Riley I’m 13 and I'm a Vancouver 2010 Olympic Torchbearer! Part of being a torchbearer was we had access to an online where I bought my first pin to my collection (a torch pin) now I’m busy collecting and I have even gotten my younger sibling into the pin trading spirit as they now have a collection too! :)
I think it's even rubbing off on my parents as now they are buying pin as gift for people which always bring a smile to their faces when they receive a VANOCOUVER 2010 PIN!!!!!
Even though I have not traded a pin yet I still enjoy collecting because in order to trade I must have pins to trade! And I can't wait when I have enough pins to trade because I think it will be spreading a little Olympic happiness as it will make me and hopefully the person I make my first trade with happy!
Pin trading as brought a smile to my face and I think that the most important thing! :)
Posted by: Riley :) | February 19, 2010 at 05:19 PM