Pictured are some of the Koch’s Beer collectible items displayed at a previous Beer Show in Dunkirk.
A year ago, Rob Wilcox put together a Beer and Breweriana Show with his friends Joe Gula and Bob Dimmer to highlight the rich history of the region to both collectors and the community. This fall, they are back for another round.
The second annual Beer and Breweriana Show is set for Saturday from 9 a.m. until 1 p.m. at the Kosciuszko Polish Home, located at 252 Nevins St., Dunkirk.
The event is free to attend for walk-ins to view the collectibles. For a table at the event, the cost is $15 for one table and $25 for two. Set-up begins at 7:30 a.m., with walk-ins permitted at 9 a.m., at the commencement of the event.
“I have not seen anybody go away unhappy,” Wilcox said. “We’ve had people come in and share stories about the different breweries … and the stories that we hear is what we want. That’s how we can preserve history, listening to these stories and documenting them. You never know who or what is going to come through that door. It’s a really good time, it’s a really good way to spend a day.”
After years of consideration, Wilcox launched the event last year to try to attract collectors to Dunkirk, while also educating the community about its rich history. The original Fred Koch Brewery was founded in Dunkirk back in 1888 and closed in 1985.
Between 250 to 350 people attended the inaugural Beer and Breweriana Show last year at the Kosciuszko Polish Home in Dunkirk. The second annual event is scheduled for Saturday.
Submitted Photos
The inaugural show served as both a trade show for collectors from across the region and beyond, while also giving collectors an opportunity to showcase their items for all to see. As part of last year’s event, the Dunkirk Historical Museum provided a display of Koch’s Brewing memorabilia. Wilcox is hopeful that the Museum will be involved at this year’s event, as well.
Saturday’s event is the second annual Beer and Breweriana Show, but the third of its kind overall, as Wilcox and his fellow organizers held a trade show last May. However, despite 250 to 350 guests at each of the first two events, the group felt one show a year in the fall would better serve their goal of creating an event to look forward to each year.
“We all unanimously agreed we would just do a fall show,” Wilcox said. “Our long-term goal is basically to keep the history alive as far as the Koch name and the little slice of heaven that we have here in Dunkirk.”
With the goal of promoting the history of Dunkirk in the brewery scene, proceeds from the event last year went toward the formation of a Koch’s/Simon Pure chapter in Dunkirk. A year later, the club has grown to over 25 members. Club meetings, which will be held monthly, will take place at the site various collectors’ displays.
The club has also received recognition from the Brewery Collectibles Club of America (BCCA) and the National Association of Breweriana Advertising (NABA) for its work to become an official chapter.
“We’re nationally recognized in the magazines. It’s not just a small thing or a local thing, we’re worldwide,” Wilcox said.
Approximately 40 tables have committed to the event already, with a goal of selling out the downstairs of the Kosciuszko Polish Home. Wilcox anticipates both levels of the Kosciuszko Polish Home to be utilized for the event, which will also feature food and drinks served throughout the event.
“We’ve got a lot of local businesses that are really helping us,” Wilcox said. Among the local alcoholic beverage businesses involved with the show are Steelbound Brewery and Distillery, Merritt Winery, Woodbury Vineyards, and Liberty Vineyards and Winery. Miller’s Apparel and Custom Printing, which is now located at the former Koch’s Brewery, has also contributed to support the show.
“It’s a big community and we’re a huge family,” Wilcox said. “It’s a community effort to make sure that we succeed in building this club locally and keeping the history alive.”
The annual show is targeted to not interfere with similar trade shows in the region, including Buffalo, Rochester, Syracuse, and out of state.
“It’s been my passion,” Wilcox said. He hopes to someday secure a location to house a small museum to highlight collectibles from around the region.
Along with the collections inside, there will be a Koch’s Delivery/Tap beer truck on display for guests to tour and take photos with, just as there was last year.
For more information, contact Wilcox at 607-368-1306 or email [email protected]
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