A holiday event you won’t want to miss, a first year Toy and Collectible Show is scheduled for Saturday, Nov. 22 and Sunday, Nov. 23 at Tioga Downs, located at 2384 W. River Rd. in Nichols, N.Y. Free and open to the public, the show benefits Toys for Tots and the Food Bank of the Southern Tier.
The Toy and Collectible Show is open on Saturday, Nov. 22 from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. and Sunday, Nov. 23 from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Organizer Fran Antalek from Tioga Downs Antiques and Flea Market requests guests to bring one new, unwrapped toy to the event, to be distributed to local children via the U.S. Marine Corps Reserves Toys for Tots program.
Every guest who brings a new, unwrapped toy to the event will then be entered into a drawing. Guests will be given three chances per toy to win a $100 gift certificate. A total of 12, $100 gift certificates will be awarded. Antalek’s goal is to collect upwards of 300 toys to be donated to Toys for Tots.
A variety of antique toys will be featured at the Toy and Collectible Show, including trains, coins, and just an overall amazing selection of collectibles. Items will be available for sale with as many as 30 vendors expected to participate. All vendor fees benefit the Food Bank of the Southern Tier.
“The Toy and Collectible show will appeal to all ages,” Antalek said.
Guests will definitely want to stop by the antique horse-drawn toy display, which is being set up by Tom and Sally McEnteer. The McEnteer’s are wellknown for their train and toy collections, which are also part of the display at the Tioga County Historical Society Museum in Owego, N.Y.
The Toy and Collectible show is sponsored by The Marketplace at Tioga Downs, Early Owego Antique Center, Owego Elks Emporium, Dunbar Antiques and ‘Erb Lady of Owego, Mapes Auction Gallery and Bostwick Auctions.
The Toy and Collectible Show is a winning idea all the way around. The show extends itself to children by donating toys to Toys for Tots and helps people in need via the Food Bank of the Southern Tier. The show provides guests another fun way to get into the holiday spirit by attending a new show at Tioga Downs, as well as allows the opportunity to give back to the community during the holiday season.
