Pottery Welcome Group announces new activities
open to RWCS members and the public for the 2009 Convention.
(January 21, 2009, Red Wing, MN) – The Red Wing Collectors Society (RWCS) announces the formation of the Pottery Welcome group. Several Red Wing organizations have come together to improve the RWCS Annual Convention for both members and the general public. The 2009 Convention will be July 9-11 and, in the past, has brought over 2,000 RWCS members to Red Wing each summer.
For the past 30 years, local businesses, organizations, and community members have supported the RWCS Annual Convention through donations to the Red Wing Chamber Potter’s Picnic and door prizes for the RWCS Convention Banquet. In addition, volunteers from the Visitor and Convention Bureau have staffed the info table at the high school and distributed welcome signs throughout the city.
The new Pottery Welcome Group includes representatives from the Red Wing Visitor and Convention Bureau, Red Wing Area Chamber, Downtown Mainstreet, City of Red Wing, RWCS Foundation, RWCS, Goodhue County Historical Society, and several other community leaders and RWCS members. The group has three tasks; to revitalize the Friday night social event into a new event open to both members and the public, send a welcome message to all attendees and visitors on behalf of the local businesses, and to contact Red Wing businesses and organizations for donations and support.
The Friday night social event will “Rock around the Crock” with a 50s sock hop event. The July 10 event will be open to both RWCS members and the public. This free concert will feature great music from the 50s, amazing food, and exciting activities.
In addition to “Rocking around the Crock”, members and the public are encouraged to participate in the RWCS first Crock Hunt! The Crock Hunt is a scavenger hunt of sorts within local businesses to win prizes at the Crock Hop. Details will be available in the Convention Supplement inserted in the Red Wing Republican Eagle July, 8th.
“The RWCS appreciates the donations that Red Wing businesses have given to the Convention each year. I feel that the Pottery Welcome Group efforts will make Red Wing residents and businesses feel a part of the RWCS Annual Convention as much as our members feel a part of our city. One of my goals for the Convention is to bring the Red Wing Collectors Society members and the public together for a night of fun.” said Stacy Wegner, Executive Director of the Red Wing Collectors Society.
“The creation of these new events will show the RWCS Pottery Convention attendees how much the entire Red Wing community appreciates their annual visit and will help the community learn more about the RWCS," said Marie Mikel, Red Wing Area Chamber President.
The RWCS encourages anyone who would like to be a part of the committee or would like to make a donation to please contact Stacy Wegner, Executive Director of the RWCS at 651-388-4004 or director@redwingcollectors.org.
The Red Wing Collectors Society was founded in 1977 and has more then 5,000 members nationwide that collect the Red Wing Potteries stoneware, dinnerware, and art pottery. The first Convention was held at the Goodhue County Historical Society in 1977 and is currently held at the Red Wing High School. The Annual Convention is open to all members with Saturday events including show and sale and display are open to the public. For more information or to become a member for only $25, contact the RWCS business office at 800-977-7927, e-mail membership@redwingcollectors.org or log on to www.redwingcollectors.org or call 800-977-7927.
