The Back Bar display features rare, premium-quality, lighted breweriana of Pre-prohibition to early 1950s vintage. Numerous lighted items and go-withs are contributed by twenty participants from across the country. Guidelines for participating in the display can be found here.

Everyone who attends the Blue Gray show is eligible to vote for their favorite item in the Best of Show Contest. Awards and prizes are presented to the winner, 1st runner-up and 2nd runner-up. Awards, contest ballots and prizes are paid for by the Blue and Gray Show.

In addition to the display, The Back Bar Lounge opens to all display participants and Blue Gray show attendees. The lounge features more early lighted breweriana for display and sale, and a 1930s-style seating area for display participants and Blue Gray attendees. Relax and chat while enjoying a cold draft beer from the Blue Gray hospitality room; listen to popular music from the Big Band Era; or watch classic black and white movies.

“The Back Bar” is presented by ABA/ECBA/NABA member John Bain. To see a visual retrospective on past displays, cllick the slideshow link below and enjoy! Click to view. (You may need to disable your browser’s popup blocker)

Participation in the display and contest is on a first-come, first-served basis. There’s room for about 25 participants. If you want to reserve a space and compete in the contest and get in on the fun, contact John via e-mail with the following information about your item:

1. Name and type of beer or liquor advertised on your item.
2. Item dimensions (overall width, depth and height, rounded UP to nearest 1/2" please).
3. How the item is displayed (e.g. hangs on a wall; sits on a shelf).
4. Name of manufacturer if it's on the item or you know what company made it.
5. Brief description of the item (reverse-on-glass, neon, metal cabinet, wood base, etc.—please e-mail a photo or two).
6. If you have a beer crate that you’d like to display your item in or on, include the crate dimensions, and bring the crate to the display; it will add a nice touch to your item and the display.
7. Your cell phone number so I can contact you at the show.
8. Your height so I can determine where you stand for the group photo on the ramps in front of the display.
9. The date and time you plan to arrive at the show Bring your item to the Back Bar lounge by 3:00 pm, Thursday, 2/16/11. If you won’t be arriving until after 3pm, let me know—I may be able to get you in later.

Your item must meet all of the following criteria:

1. Neon sign, or lighted sign, or lighted clock, or lamp, etc.
2. Pre-pro to early 1950's vintage—no items after 1955.
3. Clean—no dusty, dirty signs please.
4. Very good condition, grade 8+ or better (some exceptions may be made for extremely rare items.)
5. Safe operating condition—no dangerous plugs, frayed wires, loose or missing parts.
6. Only authentic items are permitted in the Back Bar—(NO COUNTERFEITS, NO COPIES, NO FANTASY PIECES, NO REPRODUCTIONS). If the artwork and typeface on the ad panel are a reproduction or copy, the item is not eligible).

You may enter one item into the contest, and you can have more than one item (space permitting) in the display. Items that won the contest in a prior year may be placed in the display again, but they cannot be entered into the contest again.

Please bring several small 'go-withs' (coasters, tip trays, glasses, cans, tap knobs, foam scrapers, openers, etc.) to display with your item; they will attract more attention to your item and the display. There is not enough room for large go-withs (full-size trays, letterhead, tin signs, calendars, etc.).