[press release]
AFDCS Convention Tour Returns, Better Than Ever

The American First Day Cover Society is again hosting a tour of the area in connection with its annual convention, with a few changes. The excursion takes place on Monday, August 29, the day after Great American Stamp Show in Sacramento, Calif. Membership in the AFDCS is not required.

Among the differences: The tour is co-hosted with the American Topical Association and will be held on the day after the show, which runs August 25-28. The AFDCS’ traditional tour day — before the show — is just too full of other events, including board meetings, booth setups and exhibit mounting.

The tour begins at 8 a.m. when the bus leaves the Sheraton Grand Hotel, across the street from the convention center. A short guided tour of the California capital follows. Next, the group goes to the California State Railroad Museum.

The afternoon will be spent in Old Sacramento with its shops and restaurants, then with a guided tour at the Leland Stanford Mansion State Historic Park.

The $55 per person includes transportation, admission and the tours. Tickets may be purchased via the AFDCS website at www.afdcs.org/show

The AFDCS and ATA are co-hosts of Great American Stamp Show, along with the American Philatelic Society. The AFDCS has a superbooth at the front of the convention center hall and will have unserviced cachets for the Pony Cars stamps that will be issued at the show, along with serviced FDCs and publications. The AFDCS will also hold its annual membership meeting and banquet at GASS, and has scheduled several seminars.

In addition to its GASS activities, the AFDCS publishes an award-winning journal First Days, handbooks, catalogues and a cachetmakers directory; promotes first day cover exhibiting; holds an annual cachet contest; and has educational programs. For more information on the AFDCS, visit http://www.afdcs.org, write AFDCS, Post Office Box 246, Colonial Beach, VA 22443-0246 or email afdcs@afdcs.org.