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The Heat Check sneaker game machine. Photo by Leon Laing.

Sure, the record number of attendees at the fourth annual Harrisburg Sneaker Expo came to buy, sell and trade. But this year offered a new and popular attraction—a sneaker game machine.

The Sneaker Key machine, owned by Williamsport-based Miele Manufacturing, operates similar to a toy claw machine. Vendor Terry Elkins of Sole Providerz in Scranton and patron Arlo Antle of Middletown, were some of the people who took a stab at the game.

Spencer Blake was another vendor at this year’s expo, held on March 13. Blake, 17, is the proprietor of 717 Soles, a York-based business that buys and sells sneakers. He established 717 Soles around September 2013, his freshman year in high school. Blake also works at The Heat Check sneaker kiosk/sneaker game machine at Park City Mall in Lancaster. Justin Ashby owns the kiosk, which is an extension of his store on Columbia Ave. in Lancaster.

“You put the $5 in, move the joystick left to right,” Blake instructs. “Then once you’re lined up, you hold the button until you think it’ll go in. Then you release.” The sought-after kicks won by players include the Air Jordan 4 White Cement, Air Jordan 11 Concord and Air Jordan 11, 72-10, according to Heat Check employee Corby Trego.

Random Casualties and All Smilez Customz were some of the other vendors at this year’s sneaker expo. Sneaker Expo founder Jordan Stasyszyn partnered with Sneakerheads of PA when holding the expo.