** This article appeared in The Marietta Times on Monday, August 02, 2004

Glass show attracts crowd

Weather did not deter crowds from attending the 22nd annual Antique Flea Market and Glass Show at the Washington County Fairgrounds this past weekend.

An estimated 2,500 to 3,000 people visited the show hoping to buy or swap collectibles. Many visitors were from out of state.

Collector Betty Boggs, of Spencer, W.Va., was one of those who traveled to Marietta for the show.

"I try to come to this every year," said Boggs, a glass collector since 1965. "The problem is that you get to a point that you have to quit because you have no more space."

It didn't stop her from buying three pieces Sunday afternoon.

"Two are for friends ... this one goes with a set I've been working on," Boggs said.

The antique flea market and glass show at the fairgrounds was one of at least three glass events in the area over the weekend.

The Stretch Glass Collectors Convention, in Parkersburg, and the Fenton Collectors Convention at the Lafayette Hotel were also going on over the weekend.

As many as 6,000 people were expected to come to town from across the United States looking for rare and collectible items.

Most collectors are interested in Fenton glass, which is manufactured in Williamstown. However, other glass plants that used to be around this part of Ohio - Cambridge, Fostoria, Heisey, and Imperial, also get attention.

The annual event at the fairgrounds is sponsored by the Marietta Civitan Club. Event coordinator Jim Bertram said money raised from the 70 vendors will go to provide three area youths with $1,000 college scholarships.

"It was another very successful year," Bertram said. "Most of our vendors did very well. ... Some better than expected."

With the 100th anniversary of Fenton Art Glass coming next year, many vendors and collectors are already making plans for next year.

"Many people are expressing their interest in coming back next year," Bertram said. "We're expecting it to be quite an event."

Vendor Jerry Parsons, of Bridgeport, is one of those looking to come back next year.

"There's always something new here," said Parsons, who deals in everything from pottery to Imperial glass. "I think that's what keeps people interested."