An estimated 5,000 people came to Grayslake and the Lake County Fairgrounds over the weekend for the Chicagoland Antique Advertising, Slot Machine and Jukebox Show.
The show, which began Friday and ran through Sunday, featured 300 vendors spread out in the fairgrounds’ indoor showroom.
The event, also known as the Coin Op Show and the Jukebox Show, is considered the largest of its type, according to Tilt Promotions of Wadsworth, the show producer.
“We bill ourselves as the largest coin-operated show in the country,” according to Kevin Greco, show spokesperson.
The desire to revisit one’s childhood is part of the show’s appeal, Greco said.
“I think a lot of people, whether they grew up with it — you know, maybe they played a jukebox at a local establishment here in Lake County, and then you can come here and you can buy that same jukebox that you remember as a kid,” he said.
“You bring that home and not only is it a functioning record player, but it’s also a piece of furniture,” Greco said. “And the same thing goes with the slot machine. Maybe you have a fond memory of playing slots and you want one. They’re fun.”
Greco said the show brings tourism dollars into Lake County.
“What’s great about the facility here is that it can accommodate the entire show under one roof,” he said. “The facility, we can’t beat. We not only draw from Chicago. We also draw a big crowd from all over the world.”
Jim Kopitke, Tilt Promotions co-owner and logistics manager, said, “For me, the exciting part is seeing things that I’ve never seen before. Every piece has a story.”
Ed Knigge of Libertyville had a story of his own. He switched from collector to vendor to unload part of a personal collection kept at his residence.
Knigge’s collection for sale on Saturday included a heavy gas station antique, a tall record player and Coke soda pop memorabilia. He has an extensive collection of shavers and packaged razor blades at home.
‘Their house is very unique,” said daughter Krista. “A lot of weird stuff. He’s got a phone collection, a flashlight collection. All these are antiques.”
Ed Knigge agreed the next owner of a collectible is a steward of its history.
“I’m meeting a few of those people today who are appreciative of being able to find this stuff,” he said. “It got to the point where I needed to thin out what I’ve got.”
Kenny and Mary Koonce of Woodstock, and their nephew Nick Caldrone of Algonquin, sought direction from experts about jukebox restoration.
“My grandfather had a Seeburg jukebox and it played 78 (rpm) records and so that got inherited to my brother, and now it is in Nick’s hands,” Mary Koonce said triumphantly, using her left arm to point at nephew Nick.
“Nick and Kenny are going to restore it, so we brought him (Nick) here to look at all the different coin stuff today,” she added.
Caldrone said it is a responsibility to have, house and restore the family heirloom.
“A lot of apprehension before even attempting the process,” he said.
But Caldrone expressed excitement too.
“Look forward to it,” Caldrone said. “I’ve got to bring it back to life.”
