CAMP HILL, Pa. – There was some serious Wading going on in Pennsylvania earlier this summer – not in a stream, but at the Radisson Convention Center in Camp Hill.
Dealers from at least 10 states and the United Kingdom converged to offer their wares at Summer Wade Fest 2001 sponsored by Pa and Gary Keenan, Keenan Antiques, of Dover, Pa.
Collectors came from Canada, Washington state, California and many other points.
When the doors opened, the Keenans introduced several new pieces commissioned for Wade Fest, including a Leprechaun on Snail, L’il Bits (rabbits in four colors), and Guinea pigs in black and white. Most sought after was the coveted gold Guinea Pig, which is an extremely limited production item. It could not be bought, but rather had to be won either as a door prize or in a straw draw.
The rabbits are perhaps the smallest Wade pieces ever produced, measuring just 1 inch tall.
Several well known Wade personalities attended, including Jenny Wright of the international Wade Collectors Club. She offered number of pieces from one of the British fairs.
David Chown and Russell Schooley of C & S Collectibles, also from the UK, offered many of the pieces they had commissioned through Wade.
Ian Warner and Mike Posgay, authors of the several World of Wade books, were on hand to answer questions and autograph books.
In the silent auction benefiting Parkinson’s Disease research, Wade collectors opened up their hearts and pocket books to raise more than $2,500.
Wade Fest 2002 is scheduled for the last weekend in July at the Radisson Convention Center. For more information visit Wadefest.com or contact Keenan Antiques, P.O. Box 111, Dover, PA, or e-mail Keenan@blazenet.net.
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