Farm Toy Show will have a little something for everyone
By Lisa C. Lipp
February 1, 2016
780
As culture drifts away from farms and agriculture, many are trying to keep rural Americana alive. On Saturday, Feb. 6, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., Smithville High School will host the Wayne County Farm Toy Show. The Smithville Future Farmers of America Alumni sponsor the event.
Ever since Bob Platt collected cast iron toys as a young boy living in Geneva, Ohio his love for collecting farm toys grew and grew, said his wife, Linda Platt.
The Platts are retired schoolteachers who devote a lot of time traveling the toy collecting circuit. They have acquired a wide collection of antique farm toys such as watch fobs, water wagons, buckeye feed trucks, as well as the original brochures of the life sized farm items.
Its fun attending toy shows because we meet a lot of people, said Linda Platt. It is really great in finding something you didnt know even existed. For example I am originally from Mount Vernon and I never knew that the E. R. Roach Toy Company was from my hometown until after I moved away.
The Wayne County Toy Show began in Creston, Ohio when Dean and Sandy Huffman hosted the show. Bob Platt was a dealer at the Creston shows. When the Huffmans decided they were no longer going to continue the Farm Toy Show, Bob Platt brought it to Wayne County at Norwayne High School and eventually to Smithville High School where it has been the last eight years.
The show is always well attended and there is something for everyone.
Some of the toys are toy tractors, farm trucks, old milk bottles, old custom-made yard sticks with names of businesses on them, said Amanda Atterholt. Atterholt is the agriculture teacher and FFA advisor at Smithville High School.
The Toy Show has been around for decades and all the money made at the show goes to the FFA alumni who in turn give it back to the FFA, Atterholt said. It goes to assist students to acquire scholarships, as well as helps those who attend the annual conference in Washington, D.C. It is a great fundraiser.
Toy collectors travel a circuit, and are looking for unique items.
Puzzles, pedal tractors, and hand-made barns are very popular, said Linda Platt.
Prices for collectibles range from $5 to $300.
Many times collectors that grew up with a specific farm machine search for a toy replica of that item, said Linda Platt. Toy tractors are the most popular and limited editions are the most valuable. It is also a multi-generational hobby.
The Wayne County Farm Toy Show is free for children 10 and under accompanied by a parent and $2 for adults. It is held in the cafetorium at Smithville High School.
For more information, contact Mandy Atterholt at 330-669-3165 ext. 3119, email at gren_aatterholt@tccsa.net or Bob Platt at 330-669-9455.
