Toy show offers bonding experiences
CENTER TWP — The nostalgia that drives many people to visit the KRG Toy Show each time it takes place can also be a bonding opportunity for parents who bring their children.
Matt Dugan, co-owner of D and E Collectibles, one of the long-running vendors at the Butler-based show, said while the event attracts many adults who are seeking toys from their childhood, the search may lead to conversations with the children they bring.
“It’s a very nostalgia-driven business,” Dugan said. “But it’s something that kids and parents can bond over.”
The opportunity for conversation was wide on Saturday, Jan. 24, when the KRG Toy Show returned to Clearview Mall, where hundreds of people browsed even more items on display from dozens of vendors. Formerly known as the Butler Area Toy Show, the KRG Toy Show has taken place each January and July since 2022, according to one of the event’s three founders, Rob Craig.
The founders of the show curate the vendors who attend, Craig said, so many of the sellers have unique or one-of-a-kind items that are not available once they are sold. Vendors at the show don’t just sell toys. Trading cards, comic books, video games and technology are also available, so Craig said people come early to hunt for an elusive item.
“The vendors sell things that you don't find very easily. It's something you don't see. You kind of forget some of the things you had until you see them,” Craig said. “People want to get out of the house. Money from Christmas is burning a hole in their pocket, so they look for things.”
Wesley Hartman, of Canonsburg, has been a regular at the biannual show since it began and now brings his son, 8-year-old Charlie Hartman, to the show. An avid fan of Star Wars collectibles, Hartman said he sometimes seeks out an item he doesn’t yet have, but also goes to the show simply to find something new.
“We both browse,” he said of himself and Charlie.
Drew DeRose, of Butler, said he has brought his son, Andrew DeRose, to the toy show the past few times it took place, but the young child was finally showing more interest in the toys this time.
“I’m just excited he’s actually looking around,” DeRose said, as his son explained the origin of the stuffed animals he was playing with. “I’ve come for the last four years or so.”
Bryce Walat, a member of a worldwide Star Wars costuming organization Starkiller Garrison, said the event is a good place to relive childhood memories.
“If you played with it as a kid, it’s probably here,” he said.
The vendors traveled far and wide to get a table at the event, too.
“It’s always a good time selling,” said Cory Holliday, owner of Vile consumption, which is based in Canton, Ohio.
Ken Frederick, one of the founders of the KRG Toy Show, said at around 1 p.m. Saturday the event was shaping up to have one of the biggest crowds he has seen. Early bird entry, which let people pay extra to get in at 10 a.m. instead of 11 a.m., had probably the most people yet, Frederick said, but the organizers won’t know the total attendance until a later date.
The continued growth in attendance has he and Craig assured the move of the July toy show to the Pittsburgh Marriott North in Cranberry Township will be worthwhile. As Craig explained, the show was getting too many people for its usual space at the mall. The January show is slated to remain at the mall in the future.
“We’re running out of vendor space. We need a bigger venue,” Craig said. “For a little show in Butler, there’s a lot of people.”
