The G.L.A.S.S. club assembled the night of June 25, 2004, once again to erect the large tent which had sheltered us from some inclement weather during GLASS / WRIC 2003. Once the stakes were pounded into the ground, we all returned home in anticipation of the next day when the dealers would arrive.

Morning finally came and the 20 mile trip into Erie, PA commenced. Over the crest of the last hill that was hiding the view of our tent, Lake Erie came into view - a beautiful blue stripe stretching along the horizon as far as can be seen from left to right. Immediately we saw our large canopy under which two dealers were already setting up their tables.

The dealers for the day were Rick Hess; Jim Frustieri; Lee & Tammy Brewer; Dick Bowman; Ken Willick; Bill & Bill Plunkett; John Hovanec; Ken Orchard; Ron Barth; Mike Csorbay; Justin Byers; and John & Cindy Mesmer. These dealers represent a wide area covering the states of Pennsylvania, Ohio, New York, and the province of Ontario (hopefully we will have more representation from there next year - Eh?).

There was a variety of good glass to be seen/handled/bought. Color abounded with purple beehives (B.G.M. CO, California, GNW Tel Co); various shades of amber Dominion 42's; cobalt, purple, peacock, amber, and 7-Up signals; a large variety of threadless pieces (CD218's, CD 742, Confederate Eggs); Boston Bottle Works insulators; purple ponies, AGEE bells, Canada tolls, and two-piece diamond insulators. There was definitely not a lack of colored pieces! Last year we had a walk-in dealer (something I had never heard of before!) named Jim Hart who brought an aqua CD 317 Chambers candlestick and a CD126.3 AU Patent/DEC 19 1871 in what looked to be a shade of teal green. This year he stopped the show by bringing in a CD102 CREB in purple (number 11 on the dome).

As time went on, the wind came up from the west. The tent started to flap harder and harder. Suddenly one tent pole went flying into the air and the rest followed suit (Yes, Lake Erie, we have not forgotten you are out there!). During the lull between gusts, the dealers /people in the aisles started handing the poles over the tables full of delicate glass and porcelain until the tent was on the ground where it could cause no more harm. What a catastrophe this could have been! But when all was said and done, there was only one piece marked $15.00 that was smashed, a bottle (and we all know they aren't as important as insulators) that was broken, and a power piece that already was damaged got a little more damage added to it!

Thankfully the weather was great for the rest of the day. The high was about 72-75 and there was a breeze (wind!) to keep us comfortable. The rest of the show went off without a hitch, and we actually were enjoying the way the sunlight was making all of the gems sparkle on the tables. The local news station arrived to take some pictures for the nightly news, and both reporter and cameraman went away a little more educated about our hobby.

The day had to come to an end. The lake breeze had calmed, but things were starting to cool down. People started to pack up and good-bye's were said. The friendships that are forged by these get-togethers are lasting ones. The tent being ripped out of the ground was something that at first seemed tragic. However, 'The Day the Tent Blew Away" has now given us some memories we can all look back on and share a good laugh over!

By Lee Brewer