For 15 years, the father and son team of Carl and Rob Sterling have been playing with toys – and helping the community in the process.
The two are organizers of the annual Chatham-Kent Toy Show that will be held Jan. 17 at the John D. Bradley Convention Centre.
The show is a chance for people to come out, revisit their childhood and raise funds for Chatham Outreach for Hunger and the local 4-H farm toy club.
Carl said the show has conservatively raised more than $10,000 for charity.
This year attendees will see more than 120 tables of toys and collectibles, including farm toys, trains, sports cards, trucks, model ships, books, planes, cars, action figures, fire trucks, collectibles and coins.
Carl said his family has always been interested in collecting things so the show seemed like a natural progression.
“There was a show in Chatham many years ago and when it fell by the wayside, we just decided to start our own,” he said.
The show attracts exhibitors from across Ontario, some as far away as Toronto.
“We see some of the same people year after year but we get some new ones too,” he said. “It’s a great way to spend a Saturday in January.
Some exhibitors are just there to show off their collections but many will have items for sale.
There are still some spots available for exhibitors. For more information call 519-352-8365 or e-mail cktoyshow@hotmail.com.
