looking for info/ feedback about the Union, Il show

[Guest]

Hello Everyone,
A friend told me a little about the Union, IL show and I just wanted to know if anyone has been and how your experience was? Any information/ feedback would be great.
Thanks

[Ron Ramirez]

Hello and welcome.

Where is Union, Illinois? Do you mean Willowbrook, Illinois (Radiofest)?

Are we speaking of an antique radio swap meet?

Please elaborate. Thanks.

[Chuck Schwark]

If you are referring to The Illinois Railway Museum, it is in Union, IL.
Here is their website: http://www.irm.org/

[Guest]

the show I'm talking about is a phonograph and music box show. I know this is a radio forum but I thought there may also be a shared interest. Any feedback or info would be great.

[Ron Ramirez]

Oh yes, many radio collectors also have an interest in vintage phonographs, so you're right.

I still do not know where Union, Illinois is. Patty, if you could kindly elaborate more about the phonograph & music box show...where it is...when it will be held...if they have a website...I am sure many of us will appreciate it.

But as it is, apparently none of us are aware of such a show!

[exray]

Found this:

http://www.wildwesttown.com/event.aspx?CID=31

There's a photo gallery link on the main page. Looks like a pretty big deal.


-Bill

[Ron Ramirez]

Thanks, Bill!

Yes, it does look quite interesting. Too bad I will not be able to attend this year, but maybe in 2011?

Here's the link to the photo gallery Bill mentioned:
http://www.wildwesttown.com/PhonographSh...eshow.aspx

[Guest]

Hi Ron,
I know the show is June 12th and 13th in Union,IL about 30 min from Rockford, Il or 45min to an hr. from O'Hare. A friend told me about this show but I have never been. I found the same website http://www.wildwesttown.com/ . I just wanted to know if anyone had been there before and what you thought of the show. Also just wanted to know what kind of goodies anyone has picked up there. Thanks for the feedback!

[marcapra]

Since I'm primarily a phonograph collector who has crossed over into radio/phonograph, I have been to the Union show twice. I usually can't go because I'm a teacher and the show is always scheduled during the last week of work in June. I might go next year because of the economy, the district is lopping 8 days off of my work year. Union is a tiny town about 40 or 50 miles west of Chicago. It is primarily a hand crank phonograph show and swap. If you collect old 78 records and cylinders, all the old record dealers are there including Kurt Nauck. It does have a few radio dealers, but not enough to attract the radio crowd. It is held at Donley's Wild West place, which has a Wild West show, museum, and cowboys and indians type restaurant. Donley's claim to fame is that he bought out Clarence Ferguson's (the last Edison dealer) stock of NOS Edison phonographs and records. Ferguson (an Edison worker and dealer) was still selling Edison records, even the ones that sell for $500 on Ebay for list price, ($1 each) into the 1960's and maybe the early 70's!!!!!