Once again, WDIY-FM, 88.1 and Anne Bedics, owner of the Cat Lady Antiques, are making preparation for the 8th Annual “Heart of the Valley” Antiques Show in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania. “It seems as if we just put one show to bed, and we’re working on the production of another one,” said Bedics. “And, throughout the year, I bump into customers who are anxiously awaiting the next show. There is no doubt that we have a very loyal following.”
This year, however, those loyal customers will have to wait a few weeks longer to attend their favorite valley antiques show. “With Easter falling mid-March,” says Bedics, “we were outbid by the facility’s proprietary group for the second week in March. We had no choice but to book a later date that would accommodate all of our dealers’ schedules. The first weekend in April worked for everyone, so we’re on track! I do, however, remember what happened the first weekend in April three years ago when the show was closed on Saturday night due to a flood on the island where the show is held, so don’t think I won’t be on pins and needles until I see a beautiful weather forecast for that weekend.”
This April 5 and 6, twenty-five dealers specializing in mostly American Country Antiques will again do their best to transform the Ice House into a collector’s paradise of fabulous quilts and textiles, formal, painted and country furniture, folk art, early glassware, pottery and porcelain, early childhood foibles and much more. The show offers an impressive array of 18th-, 19th-, and early 20th-century country and formal antiques.
The show will be held in the heart of Historic Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, in the Ice House, a sturdy old 19th-century warehouse facility, situated on the banks of the Lehigh River, that was once used to store ice. “It’s a very charming facility that provides perfect complement to the dealers’ wares, with its thick stone and brick walls, open space, and picturesque location,” according to Anne. “It truly does help that the dealers who exhibit at the show take such pride and care in displaying their inventory here. It makes for a truly stunning visual experience for the show attendee.”
But the eyes are not the only sense to be delighted. Customers can stroll the aisles searching for that special piece to add to their collections, while listening to a well-produced mix of recorded tunes sung by Ella Fitzgerald, the Beatles, Duke Ellington, and others. “We often catch people tapping their toes or humming as they’re walking the show. Good music rounds out the mood we try to create here. After all, it is a benefit for our local community public radio station: 88.1 WDIY-FM.”
Some of the exhibitors show-goers will be able to see are: Lynne Oppenheimer of Ivy Hill Primitives, who always brings a nice selection of painted furniture and complementary smalls; Sharon and Ron Pittenger of Dark Moon Antiques, who specialize in early iron pieces, American Country furniture, stoneware and military items; American Memories of Wyncote, Pennsylvania, always a hit with their booth full of early political memorabilia and Americana; Ruth Rogers of School House Farm Antiques presenting a nice array of samplers, redware, stoneware, and kugels. New to the show this year are The Nosey Crow of Dover, Pennsylvania, who will be bringing a nice array of early Americana and Folk Art; and Hand Picked of Stowe, Vermont, who specialize in country farmhouse antiques. Returning to the show after a few years absence are Ken and Jan Silveri of Hamburg, Pennsylvania. Other dealers include: Anderson-Breish Antiques, The Pennsylvania Farmer, John and Robin Sittig, RFD Antiques, Dark Horse Antiques, Distant Past Antiques, Robert and Kenneth Apgar to name a few. For a complete list of dealers, log on to www.wdiy.org/HOV2008.htm.
A big hit last year and back by popular demand, Confetti CafÈ of Bethlehem will again be providing scrumptious lunches and dessert treats.
The Ice House, located on Sand Island, at 56 River Street in Bethlehem, is easy to access via several highways. It’s located along the Lehigh River under the Hill to Hill and New Street Bridges. There is ample parking in lots located adjacent to and within a short distance of the site.
All proceeds from the show will go directly to support programming and operations of WDIY, Community Public Radio, 88.1FM, the NPR station member for the greater Lehigh Valley area.
Show hours on Saturday, April 5th are 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., and on Sunday, April 6, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. For more information about the show, contact Anne M. Bedics, (610) 588-6961 or Alison Del Re at WDIY, (610) 694-8100, Ext. 4. Or, for complete information and directions, visit their Web site at www.wdiy.org.