The first show of its kind in the Tamaqua area, the free Antique Toy Show, hosted by the Tamaqua Historical Society, is being held to kick off the holiday season in Tamaqua.

The toy show will feature a wide array of antique and classic toys that were made over the period of a century from about the late 1800's to the mid to late 1900's.Featured will be toys made of wood, cast iron, tin, steel, composite, cardboard and textiles.Dale Freudenberger, President, Tamaqua Historical Society, said, "Many of the toys on display will have beautiful graphics depicted on them that you just don't see on today's toys."Many of these toys were pulled or pushed by hand such as the wicker doll carriage, had keys to wind them such as the mechanical sand toys made by Wolverine Company, or were electrically powered such as the vintage Lionel or American flyer train sets.Classics such as the Merry Makers tin toy, which depicts a family of mice playing the piano, and an old time wooden swinging horse with real horse hair are among the many, many gems featured during this show. Large toys will also be displayed, such as antique pedal cars and wooden wagons, and a metal riding horse to name a few."The Antique Toy Show is a great way to kick off the holiday season in the area," added Freudenberger. Everyone has fond memories of their favorite childhood toys or those that were passed down as family heirlooms.The 'Antique Toy Show' will open Wednesday at 6

p.m.at the Tamaqua Gallery, 114 West Broad St., and will include a public reception and visit with the toys owners. Snacks and drinks will also be provided. Admission is free and all are welcome.The Antique Toy Show Exhibit, consisting of hundreds of toys, will continue to run through Friday Nov. 18 and will be open Monday through Friday from 9 to 5 p.m. In addition, a special guest speaker, 'Porcupine' Pat McKinney, will feature a talk and demonstration about "Toys of Appalachia" at the Gallery on Saturday night November 12 from 7 to 8 p.m.Admission is also free for this event. For more information, contact the Chamber of Commerce at 570-668-1880. "This is the first time these toys have ever been shown since they all belong to members or friends of the Tamaqua Historical Society who have brought their private collections together for this rare showing," added Freudenberger.