Middle Creek event showcases Game Commission and hunting memorabilia

Middle Creek Wildlife Management Area is hosting an event this summer that caters to collectors of memorabilia produced over the years by the Pennsylvania Game Commission and various clubs and agencies in the commonwealth.

Read More: [Photo Story] Quiet beauty and still waters at Middle Creek

The Pennsylvania Conservation Collectables Expo will run from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday, June 28, at the Middle Creek Visitors Center.

“The Pennsylvania Game Commission has produced many items through the years that are desired by fervent collectors,” a press release explains. “Those include old hunting licenses, state duck stamps, Game News magazines and Working Together for Wildlife Series patches, to name a few. Rarely, though, have those collections been showcased in one place.”

At the expo, vendors will be able to connect with the public to buy, sell, trade, and showcase historical and collectable conservation-themed memorabilia. Visitors can expect to find a wide variety of collectables, including publications, old licenses, duck stamps, patches, pins, and posters offered over the years by government conservation agencies such as the PA Fish & Boat Commission, Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, and Department of Environmental Protection, hunting and fishing clubs, and numerous conservation organizations. Current Game Commission merchandise will also be for sale during this event.

Interested vendors must pre-register to participate. Vendor applications and additional information about the event can be picked up at the Middle Creek Visitors Center or found online. According to the website, vendors must pay $25 to attend. The fee includes one six-foot-long table and chair; additional tables are $10 each.

Applications are due by May 1. Checks can be made out to the Pennsylvania Game Commission.

Applicants are encouraged to share photos of their collections along with their application. Applicants with a higher diversity of memorabilia will have a higher chance of their application being approved.

This event does not include items such as hunting and trapping tools or equipment, outdoor gear and clothing, or animal parts/mounts. Firearms (including muzzleloaders and flintlocks), ammunition, and any items that are damaged or pose a safety risk to the user or another person are prohibited.