Antique and glass show draws hundreds

By Kevin Pierson
The Marietta Times
Marietta, OH

The thought of finding that one elusive piece of Fenton glassware or prized antique to complete a collection drew more than 600 people down to the Washington County Fairgrounds for the 23rd annual Antique Flea Market and Glass Show.

The show, which is sponsored by the Marietta Civitan Club, drew vendors from as far away as Wisconsin and Florida and drew spectators from California and Indiana.

This year’s show coincides with the 100th anniversary of Fenton Art Glass so crowds for the show were expected to exceed previous years.

“It’s the biggest crowd I’ve seen here in a couple years,” said Jim Bertram, member of the Marietta Civitan club and co-chairman of the show.

This year’s show features more than 80 vendors in two buildings and along the parking lot behind the grandstand.

Pat Anderson, 66, of Bremen, Ind., came to this year’s antique and glass show with her husband, Ed, for the variety of Fenton glass at the show that she doesn’t get to see at home.

“There’s more of a variety this year,” Anderson said. “You always think you might find that one piece (of Fenton) that you don’t have.”

Anderson has been coming to the glass show since 1985 and makes her reservations a year in advance to be prepared for next year.

Though Fenton glassware is the primary draw for the show several vendors also feature antique tools and other collectables for residents in search of something different.

Larry Thompson, 57, of 341 Everson Road, Belpre, is a pottery collecter and attends the show each year in search of rare items.

Thompson lists his best find at the show as an unmarked Nelson Mcloy jardiniere that he purchased for $50, and is valued between $350 and $450.

“This is a really good show, it really is,” Thompson said.

Margaret Nicholas, 81, of Seventh Street, Marietta, came to the Antique Flea Market and Glass Show for many years as a spectator and now that she has gotten older she attends the show to sell off some of the items she collected in past years.

“I found a few one of a kind things,” Nicholas said. “I’ve found some odd pieces of glass.”

Since this year’s Antique Flea Market and Glass Show coincides with the 100th anniversary of Fenton the Civitan Club has extended the hours of the show to allow people more time to attend activities at Fenton and still attend the show.

“I think basically the Fenton draws them (shoppers) down here. To me, its just such an icon in glass,” Thompson said.

If you go

What: Antique Flea Market and Glass Show

When: 8 a.m. to 6 p.m., Saturday; 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday

Where: Washington County fairgrounds

Cost: Free

[PHOTO CAPTION ABOVE]

Barbara Leskowski, of Janesville, Wisc., looks over a selection of collectible glass at one of the vendors’ booths Friday during the opening of the Glass and Antique Flea Market at the Washington County Fairgrounds. The event runs through Sunday and is being held in addition to the Fenton Art Glass anniversary celebration in Williamstown. (Photo by MITCH CASEY)