In light of the continued concerns over the health and safety of guests and volunteers during the COVID-19 pandemic, Florida’s largest pinball and arcade convention Free Play Florida is announcing a pivot in it’s event calendar.
November 2020 was set to mark the 7th consecutive year for the popular video game and pop culture event. Presented by Byte Amusement Group, Inc, Free Play Florida has attracted thousands of electronic gaming enthusiasts to Orlando for an annual celebration which features an expansive collection of arcade cabinets, pinball machines, celebrities, artists and vendors. As the world grapples with the implications of the COVID-19 pandemic however, the difficult decision has been made to pivot away from this structure for 2020.
Rather than simply to cancel or postpone the event however, the all volunteer staff of Byte Amusement, Inc is very happy to announce that they are putting together a series of smaller and more intimate “Pop Up” experiences for fans of the event across Florida.
“I think that real world circumstances have really forced Byte Amusement to take a step back and to consider how we could best serve the Central Florida Arcade and Pinball Community” said Brandon Specht (one of FPF’s Coordinators), “ Do we try to put on an event or just cancel it all together? In True Free Play Florida fashion, we decided to create a third option”.
As such, a handful of smaller satellite experiences to be held across the Central Florida region are in development. These “Pop Ups” will give attendees a chance to continue their support of the community in fun and safe ways that will stay true to the spirit of Free Play Florida.
“Taking the show on the road gives us the unique opportunity to support all of the local collectors, volunteers, attendees, businesses and local venues that have made our events so successful over the years” explains Specht, adding “ Plus, these smaller Pop Up experiences allow us to better address and respond to the most up to date safety and health circumstances”.
Participants can look forward to an announced schedule (including locations for the Pop Ups) in the near future. These Pop Ups will be partnering with local supporting businesses who are ready to provide fun and unique environments and experiences that are in line with the kind of fun people look forward to experiencing each year at Free Play Florida, and exclusive merchandise will be made available for purchase to attendees and collectors at each location.
Stay tuned for more information coming real soon!
Free Play Florida is brought to you by Byte Amusement Group, Inc. Byte Amusement Group is a 501c3 Organization, with the objective to produce educational, family oriented events whose proceeds provide charitable assistance to local non-profit organization and people in need. To seek living individuals of historical significance in the creation, art, and manufacturing of amusement machines and allow them to relate their stories through a public venue; to provide educational opportunities about pinball, arcade and consoles, including mathematics, physics, electricity, and the history as reflected in the technology and art of amusement machines.
