RED WING, MN – Hundreds of stoneware and pottery collectors will return to the Holiday Inn Hotel and Suites in Des Moines, Iowa for the Red Wing Collectors Society (RWCS) MidWinter GetTogether, Feb. 24-26.

“We are excited to be back in Des Moines, Iowa for our MidWinter and to kick off out 40^th Anniversary celebration for the Red Wing Collectors Society,” says Stacy Wegner, RWCS executive director. “Anybody who’s interested in collecting Red Wing should come out and see what we’re all about. Our members will have tons of great pieces for sale and it’s a great opportunity to learn from and network with fellow collectors. Plus, it’s a lot of fun!”

The Red Wing Collectors Society is made up of more than 3,000 members worldwide who collect stoneware crocks, jugs, churns, dinnerware and art pottery manufactured in Red Wing from the 1880s to 1960s. The February event helps tie collectors over until the next RWCS National Convention in Red Wing in July. Both events serve as great opportunities for members to connect over Red Wing and learn about the history of the potteries that once operated in Red Wing, their diverse production lines and the impact they had on the American pottery industry.

As with any large antique event, the opportunity to buy and sell is top of mind for

collectors and dealers. In this case, the RWCS MidWinter GetTogether never disappoints. Many attendees will prop open their doors and sell Red Wing wares from their hotel rooms during the event – some starting as early as the night of Tuesday, Feb. 21. A formal Show & Sale will run from 1 to 4 p.m. on Saturday, Feb. 24 followed by an auction at 5 p.m. – both of which are open to the public. Auction proceeds will benefit the Pottery Museum of Red Wing and more information can be found at www.houghtonauctions.com. Whether you’re new to collecting Red Wing or an experienced collector, anyone and everyone is invited to attend this fun event and find a new piece for their collection.

Education is also a major focus of the event. The RWCS will give a keynote presentation on the Society’s 40^th anniversary and breakout sessions will follow. RWCS Hall of Fame members Larry Roschen and Terry Moe will present on the Red Wing Dinnerware Mysteries & Reproduction. Mark Wiseman will present on Early Colfax Springs History and Stoneware. Bean Pot collecting has also become a hot interest topic so Yoshi Hoffman will his knowledge and passion for collecting them.

The RWCS recently recognized its first online chapter – the Red Wing Collectors Society Facebook Chapter. A special session with tips and tricks and a Q&A session for members will be led by chapter board member Yoshi Hoffman.

In addition, the RWCS KidsView education program will focus on the RWCS 40^th and the Red Wing Potteries anniversary celebration in 1953. Participants will create their own 40 project to put on display at the July Convention and learn about Red Wing Potteries Anniversary dinnerware and art pottery, along with lots of other activities to help celebrate.

All activities will be held at the Holiday Inn Hotel & Suites at 4800 Merle Hay Rd in Des Moines, Iowa, which is located at the intersection of I-35 and I-80 in Des Moines. Visit www.ERWCS.org to register or learn more about the MidWinter GetTogether.

Feb. 24-26 will be a fun weekend for antique lovers in Iowa, because in addition to the Red Wing event, there are several antique malls and indoor flea markets to visit.

The 41^st annual Red Wing Collectors Society Summer Convention is slated for July 6-8 in Red Wing, MN. Annual membership in the Red Wing Collectors Society costs only $35 and includes six 16-page full-color newsletters mailed to your home throughout the year. The RWCS was founded in 1977 in Red Wing and there are more than 3,000 members worldwide. For more information or to become a member, call the RWCS business office at 800-977-7927, e-mail membership@redwingcollectors.org or log on to www.ERWCS.org. You can also join the RWCS on Facebook and follow it on Twitter at @RWCollectors