On that weekend in March, the Charles Brown Ice House, 56 River Street in the "heart " of historic Bethlehem will be transformed into an antiques collector's wonderland. 25 select dealers will be offering quality wares in the form of textiles, pottery, folk art, quilts, primitives, toys, holiday and painted, formal and country furniture and so much more.

Directions to The IceHouse:

The City of Bethlehem's IceHouse is on River Street on Sand Island near the north bank of the Lehigh River. It is behind the Main Street Depot Restaurant located on W. Lehigh Street.

From Philadelphia:

Take I-476 north (the Northeast Extension) to the Lehigh Valley exit. Take Route 22 east to Route 378 south. Take exit 3, the Center City exit. Turn left onto 3rd Avenue. At the traffic light turn left onto Broad Street. At the next light, turn right onto Main Street go down the hill, turn left to stay on Main Street. Go down the hill and follow the street around Moravian College. At the bottom of the hill, turn left to stay on Main Street. Cross West Lehigh Street with the Main Street Depot on your left, cross railroad tracks and a small bridge. Turn left onto River Street the IceHouse is ahead on the left.

From the east (New Jersey) or west (Pennsylvania):

Take Route 22 to Route 378 and follow the rest of the instructions above.

From I-78:

Exit at Hellertown and Bethlehem and take route 412 north into Bethlehem. Stay on Fourth Street. Turn right onto New Street and take the Fahy Bridge across the Lehigh River into the north side of Bethlehem. Turn left onto West Lehigh Street. The Main Street Depot Restaurant is on your leftand the IceHouse is behind it. Pass the restaurant and turn left onto Main Street. Cross Railroad tracks and a small bridge. Turn left onto River Street. The IceHouse is ahead on the left.

From the North and the Poconos:

Take route 33 south to Route 22 West to Route 378 South and follow the Philadelphia instructions. Or take Route 33 South to I-78 west and follow the from I-78 instructions.

Held in the "heart" of the historic district in the Charles Brown Ice House and Performing Arts Center, this show has become a favorite of many collectors and dealers, as well as history buffs. Once a year, the 25 exhibitors transform the historic building set on the banks of the Lehigh River into an amazing paradise of quilts and textiles, stoneware, early glassware, and painted, country and formal furniture. In addition, the shopper will find folk art, redware, holiday and children's foibles and much more. The Show offers an impressive array of 18th, 19th and early 20th C decorative, country and formal antiques.

The show has gained a large and loyal following of American Country Enthusiasts who are drawn to it by the quality and diversity of the merchandise being offered as well as the knowledge and friendliness of the dealers. Anne observes, "There are two components that make this show the successful fundraiser that it is: First, the dealers who possess a keen knowledge of what they sell and are adept at the task of artful display. The other is the dedication of the volunteers and staff that help to run the show. It is because of the willingness to go the extra mile, on both their parts, that the show is the successful event that it is. I receive compliments on them wherever I go throughout the year." "Let me add also that, from the volunteers' and dealers' perspectives, it is also the customers (both returning and new) who make the show a delight to do. We have a loyal following and they need to be saluted as well."

But let's not forget about the music! After all, this is a benefit for the local community public radio station: WDIY 88.1FM. Part of the charm of the show is that customers can stroll the aisles while listening to a well-produced mix of familiar tunes that range in style from Ella Fitzgerald to the Beatles. If you listen closely, you may even catch a patron humming or singing along.

Known for her famous comfort food, Nicoletta Falcone of Confetti Café will be returning to provide the show-goer with her scrumptious soups, sandwiches and other delights.

The Charles Brown Ice House, on Sand Island, at 56 River Street, Bethlehem, PA is located on the banks of the Lehigh River under the Hill to Hill and New Street Bridges. There is easy access to the city via several highways, and there is ample parking provided in the lots surrounding and adjacent to the site. Because it is located in the "heart of historic Bethlehem" plan to spend the day or a week-end discovering the area with its small museums, quaint shops and boutiques, and fabulous restaurants.

All gate proceeds from the show will go directly to support programming and operations on WDIY 88.1FM, Community Public Radio, the NPR member station for the greater Lehigh Valley area.

Show hours are: Saturday, March 12th - 9:00AM to 5:00PM and on Sunday, March 13th - 10:00AM to 4:00PM. For more information on the show please contact Anne M Bedics, Show Manager at 610-588-6961or Alison DelRe at WDIY, 610-694-8100 ext. 4.