Gateway Mid-America Toy Show Celebrates 41 Years
St. Louis, Mo–It is almost time for the 41st Gateway Mid America Toy Show, February 3-5, 2023. The show is located at the Sheraton Lakeside Chalet in St.Louis’s West Port Plaza. The Gateway Mid-America Toy Show is known worldwide for its farm toy auction, farm layouts and scratch-built toys. Collectors from all corners the U.S.A gather to buy and sell thousands of quality farm toys.
The show is hosted by Roy Lee Baker, a member of the National Farm Toy Hall of Fame, and Faye Baker Knoche. Roy Lee shared what most collectors say is their favorite part of this annual event, “We enjoy seeing the people every year.”
This family friendly event will begin with exhibitor spaces and room trading opening Friday February 3rd at 10:00 a.m. in the morning, and will remain open until 6:00 p.m. Thousands of farm toys will be set up in 120 hotel rooms along with 150 exhibitor tables. Trading rooms #101-#350 have the option to remain open after 6:00 p.m. for after-hours room trading. This is a time when friendships are forged, and bargains are found! “We have 150 trading rooms and probably 150 exhibitor tables in the 18,500 square feet of floor space in the Versailles Ballroom, Matterhorn, St. Moritz, Bern, Alpine, Lugano and Zermatt board rooms,“We take up the entire hotel,” Roy Lee said.
Saturday February 5th is the Farm Toy Consignment Auction with Lester Crandall of Central Illinois Auctions, and Dennis Aumann auctioning in the 5,040 square feet Zurich Ballroom. The auction features over 450+ collectible farm toys and related merchandise for sale. Item viewing begins at 7:00 a.m. The auction begins at 9:00 a.m. and typically runs until 4:00 p.m. Exhibitor tables and room trading open from 7 a.m. till 6 p.m. Room trading optional to??.
Saturday is also the day of both the Model Contest and Farm Layout Contest. “We have our model show all day long on Saturday. People bring barns, farm scenes and make their own toys. There are a variety of high quality 1/64th thru 1/8th scale models crafted by some of the nation’s most talented and innovative craftsman on display for your enjoyment.” Roy Lee added.
The show continues Sunday February 5th and is open from 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.
The Sheraton Westport Chalet Hotel is located at 191 Westport Plaza, St. Louis, MO. 63416. For more information about the Mid-America Gateway Toy Show, log onto www.GatewayToyShow.com