The annual Eugene Record Convention was on its 26th year of operation back in 2014 when its founder Bill Finneran passed away from cancer. Luckily for local vinyl lovers, Finneran’s legacy has not ended and the annual gathering of vendors and shoppers alike will be continuing on as the Eugene Record Show.

The show will be filled with “an army of dealers with zillions of used and new records, 45s, tapes, CDs and other musical rarities spanning all genres, eras, tastes and obsessions,” according to the Facebook event, and will be taking place this upcoming Sunday, Feb. 21, at the Hilton Eugene (66 E. 6th Ave).

The show will be from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. for an entry fee of $3. There’s also an early bird option for those who want to make sure they get first-pick from 7 a.m. to 10 a.m. for an entry fee of $15.

Though it’s a ton of fun, browsing a huge record convention for the first time can be stressful and intimidating. Here are some helpful tips and tricks in navigating the Eugene Record Show.

• Budget, budget, budget.

Record conventions are incredibly exciting, but they are also very risky for music-lovers who are strapped for funds. With a bevy of different vendors and crates upon crates of precious vinyl and merch, it can be easy to mindlessly spend money that should be going to, arguably, more important things (i.e. rent, utilities and groceries.) Therefore, budgeting beforehand is an absolute must. Although records are all fine and good, you can’t necessarily live in a house made of them.

Also: be sure to bring cash. Although most vendors have card readers, you don’t want to risk missing out on that one release you have been searching for all because you forgot to stop at the ATM.

• Make a list.

Whether you’re a skilled music-shopping fiend or a newbie trying to start a collection, in a room packed with hundreds of people, it’s very easy to forget what in particular you’re looking for. Therefore, you should have a prepared list of some of the specific albums you’re looking to obtain in order to ease the doomed feeling that you might have forgotten something crucial. Either bring a physical, written list or type up a memo in your phone.

For those who already have a relatively large collection, music collection websites such as Discogs can be very helpful in keeping track of what you already have and don’t need to end up accidentally buying twice.

• Bring a bag.

Who knows how much stuff you’ll end up buying? But why risk not being able to carry it all? Make sure to bring a large, strong tote bag or backpack to carry the goods – emphasis on large. Some average-sized tote bags are only about 10 or 11 inches wide, not large enough for 12 inch albums, so make sure to double check your bag’s dimensions. Also, make sure whatever bag you bring is comfortable on your body – a bag of records can get very heavy very quickly. If you decide to bring a tote rather than a backpack or crossbody bag, just make sure you can hold it on your shoulder rather than in solely in your hands; you’ll definitely need both hands to browse everything quickly so keep that in mind.

• Bring a buddy.

Obviously this tip can be argued solely for friendship’s sake, but it can also be part of your music-searching strategy. There’s a lot of material to search through, so let your friend know what in particular you’re looking for and make sure to keep an eye out for their favorites as well. When you have a game plan together, you can split up and head to different vendors. Keep in mind the room is relatively large and crowded, so it might be wise to designate a meeting place.

• Get there early.

If you’re trying to seriously find some goods, make sure to show up early. Luckily, since the record show is on a Sunday, pretty much all parking in the downtown area will be free, but it doesn’t hurt to secure a close spot. Over the course of the day, hundreds of shoppers are browsing through and buying music that you might really want. So, keep in mind that the early bird catches the worm (or first-run vinyl rarity). If you’re extra intent on getting first-dibs on the options, there is early admission (from 7 to 10 a.m.) available for $15. So, grab a coffee and get going; in all honesty, no one would mind if you came in your pajamas.

• Walk around before you buy.

When you enter the room, do a lap or two around the perimeter first before diving in. Figure out what table is selling what before setting your sights on a particular one. This will make it easier to plan your trajectory rather than just aimlessly wandering around and potentially finding a vendor at the end of the day that you would’ve preferred to look into at the beginning. Keep in mind that many vendors may have the same albums, so make sure to price check on your initial walk-around as well.

• Don’t be afraid to ask questions.

For the most part, a lot of the vendors at the show are selling from their personal collections and therefore know their inventory like the back of their hand. Likewise if you see a shopper carrying a stack of records you’re interested in, ask them which vendor(s) they bought them from. Remember, everyone is there for the same reason: because they love music. You might run into someone very knowledgeable, so don’t be afraid to speak up. Who knows, you could leave with some new friends as well as some new tunes.