Manitoba

'Make a friend for life': Pin trading brings people together at Canada Summer Games

The owner of a souvenir-pin company in Regina who designed the official pins for the Canada Summer Games says trading pins is a good way to make friends at the Games.

More than 100 different pins available at the Canada Summer Games to collect

Barry Taman owns The Pin People, a souvenir-pin company in Regina, and designed the official pins for the Canada Summer Games. (Julianne Runne/CBC)

Barry Taman is at the Canada Summer Games for medals — but not the kind handed out on podiums.

Taman owns The Pin People, a souvenir-pin company in Regina, and he designed official pins for the Games.

"They're a social part of the Games. They bring everyone together," an enthusiastic Taman said. He said trading pins is a great way to strike up a conversation and meet new people.

"You make a friend for life."

Taman has been going to the Canada Games for seven years now and is the unofficial mayor of the pin-trading tent at The Forks, where traders can set up tables to show what they have to offer and pins are sold.

​There are more than 100 different pins available at the Canada Summer Games to collect, including a pin for each of the 22 sports at the Games.

Taman said it's an easy way to meet everyone from athletes to sponsors to other sports fans.

The pins are available for sale at The Forks for $7 each, or three for $20.

The pin trading centre is open every night from 4:30 p.m.-10:30 p.m.

"It's a great part of the Games," Taman said.

Pin trading brings people together at Canada Summer Games

7 years ago
Duration 2:05
Barry Taman has been going to the Canada Games for seven years now and is the unofficial mayor of the pin-trading tent at The Forks, where traders can set up tables to show what they have to offer and pins are sold.