How I Met a Fun-E-Ball Fan at a Murray State Art Show

2 days ago

I think we all know by now that I’m beyond shameless. If I have something to sell to you, you’ll be darn certain to hear about it in one way or another.

Case in point: The Organization of Murray State Art Students, or OMAS, recently put on their 88th annual juried student exhibition, during which my fiancée’s horse drawing was on display. While my top priority in being there was to support her, I can’t say I didn’t use the opportunity to pitch the Switch ‘N’ Shoot launch event to other people my age.

One such person was Alexus DeVaul, who told me she was a fervent fan of Fun-E-Ball – to the extent that she would try for a different ball every time she visited Trends N Treasures in Murray. Obviously, I knew somebody was playing the danged thing, though hearing it in the flesh was that much more validating.

Being the enterprising guy I am, I requested she tag Wilcox Arcade on social media the next time she nabbed a ball from the machine. It’s something I’ve appreciated people doing since I placed Fun-E-Ball at its first home, Brenda’s Snack Shack, in 2019.

And wouldn’t you know it? Alexus did exactly that — via her Instagram story on March 18th, 2025. She won one of my personal favorite variants: the ball bearing a multi-colored geometric pattern. (It’s so retro.)

“I love this arcade game!” Alexus said in her post. “I finally got this design. Next is the striped one.”

Seeing someone who didn’t already know me in real life share her Fun-E-Ball prize on social media brought me immense joy while affirming in my mind the value of evangelizing in person. I need to let people in my local area know what I’m doing with Wilcox Arcade. Like the saying goes, you are your own best advocate.

Remember: If you play a Wilcox Arcade title on location – then tag me on social media – you’re guaranteed to show up on at least one of my online pages. It’s very important to me that I support the community I’m trying to grow around these games.

Thank you again to Alexus for being the latest individual to take advantage of my ongoing offer. While the cash box tells its own story, hearing directly from players warms my heart even more than collecting their quarters. (This is not to suggest I take those for granted.)

Another way you can support Wilcox Arcade is following my social media feeds, from Facebook to TikTok or anything in between. Checking back at my blog works just as well.