Most area residents are too young to remember Oakford Park, the Jeannette amusement park that operated from 1896 to 1940. But if you have a little nostalgia in your heart for the popular recreation destination, John Mickinak has a deal for you.
The Greensburg antiques dealer will have a 6-foot, lighted tin star, circa 1920, from one of the park’s rides for sale at the Southwestern PA Council for the Arts annual antiques show and sale.
In its 14th year, the event is scheduled for Jan. 24-26 in the Greensburg Country Club.
“The interesting thing,” Mickinak says, “is that, as the crow flies, the park was less than a mile from the country club.”
Visitors to the sale also will find plenty of less-esoteric items to suit their fancies.
About 40 dealers from throughout the region will bring thousands of items, including formal, country and Victorian furniture; Oriental rugs and European porcelains; Roseville, cut, art and pattern glass; jewelry and vintage clothing; quilts and linens; paper items such as ads and postcards, along with sterling silver, crocks, toys and more.
Mickinak and John Kroeck, owner of Sewickley Antiques LLC in Leetsdale, also will offer an appraisal session from 1-4 p.m. Jan. 25. Appraisals will be first-come, first-served, with a fee of $7 for a verbal assessment and $15 for a written one. Proceeds benefit the arts council.
“It’s a fun way to spend an afternoon or an evening,” Mickinak says. “You can actually pick things up and handle them, unlike in a museum. You can learn a lot from talking to the dealers.”
The country club’s dining room also will be open to show visitors.
“You can take a break and have a sandwich, have a drink,” Mickinak says. “Most people stay for several hours. It can take that long to see everything.”
