Local Organization to Host Antiquing Along the Allegheny

A group gathers around the Catholic Daughters of America local chapter's booth during last year's Antiquing Along the Allegheny event.

by Nathan Lasher

Lovers of all things old will be coming out in large this weekend as the Antiquing Along the Allegheny antique and craft fair will be held this Saturday from 8AM until 3PM in Kittanning’s Riverfront Park.

“The vendors start setting up around 6:30,” said Advertising Chairperson Carolyn Schrecengost. “Some people do come early and watch people unpack.”

Sixty-five vendors of multiple items are planned to be in the area for the fair. “Some of those will be food; local churches are providing food,” said Schrecengost. “We have a few hand craft vendors, but most of them will be antique vendors with antiques and collectibles. There will be old things and then some things that are not necessarily old but collectors’ items.”

Also, from 10AM until 11:30AM, antiques appraiser Tim Sweet, founder of www.pittsburghantiques.net, a regional online resource for antique shops, shows, and auctions, will be available to provide his expertise for $5 per item. “That’s always a favorite for people who want to find out exactly what they have,” said Schrecengost. “They maybe inherited something from their parents or found something at an auction and they want to know if they paid too much for it. He gives them a basic idea. He doesn’t give them anything in writing, but he will give them a basic idea or an estimate of what it is and what the value could be. The value of anything depends on who wants to buy it. You might have something that the appraiser says is real valuable, but you may not have a buyer for it at that price or any price. To sell it you have to find a buyer.”

The event, which has been held in the area before, is sponsored by the Kit-Han-Ne Questers. “It is an international study group,” said Schrecengost. “We are chapter number 408 of Pennsylvania. We’re involved with the preservation of historical sites and artifacts. During each of our meetings we have a program which is put on by members or experts to explain various collections and their values. The idea of having these programs at our meetings is to inform us. Information is your best ally whenever you are going to start a collection or if you have one and you want to sell something. You need to know a lot about that subject.”

The current chapter President of the Questers is Sue Bowser, who headed the committee to purchase antique period light fixtures for the McCain House Museum dining room and kitchen.  The proceeds from the upcoming fair will be used for the group’s next historical preservation project.   

“It has been quite a favorite of the community because we get a lot of people who like to come and like to see the things, buy, and meet a lot of people in town that come out for it,” said Schrecengost. “So, it’s a good place to meet your friends too and look over the things. Sometimes people see something that they have or they had at one time and never knew what the value of it was until they see it.”

Anyone wishing to find more information about the Questers or who is interested in joining the local chapter can call Western PA Representative Shirley Stennett at 724-545-9557 or visit www.questers1944.org.