DES MOINES, Iowa — Despite the ever-present frigid winter temperatures in the Plaines, Red Wing collectors are a hearty bunch as they come together this year on Feb. 10-12 for their Annual MidWinter GetTogether at the Holiday Inn Hotel & Suites.

The Red Wing Collectors Society (RWCS) are expected to take the chill off of frosty Des Moines as they come in from all parts of the country to display a diverse line of crocks, jugs, churns, dinnerware and art pottery manufactured in Red Wing, Minn. from the 1880s to the 1960s.

Those hundreds of people coming into Des Moines for the MidWinter GetTogether is expected to help these hardy collectors through the winter months on into the RWCS’ highly anticipated 35th anniversary at the National Convention in Red Wing in July. Of course, both events serve as great opportunities for members to buy and sell Red Wing and learn about the history of the potteries that once operated in Red Wing, their diverse production lines and the impact the company had on the American pottery industry.

Highlighting this year’s event will be a keynote presentation on the “Past, Present and Future of Creating a World-Class Pottery Museum.” The RWCS Foundation made the exciting announcement last month that it signed a purchase agreement for buying the Pottery Place Annex building in Red Wing, Minn. to house the new Red Wing Pottery Museum. Hence, the presentation will discuss how the current museum was developed, the process of finding the new location and creating a new museum.

In addition, members of the RWCS 35th Anniversary Committee will unveil the plans for the big July Convention. “Whether you’re a new Red Wing collector or a longtime collector, you won’t want to miss this event,” says committee member Wendy Callicoat. “There will be lots of new activities in celebration of our 35th anniversary.”

More educational sessions are scheduled for members following the keynote presentations, including a feedback session on the museum’s future and talks on Red Wing dinnerware mysteries and reproductions. In addition, an interior decorator’s ideas on decorating with Red Wing, always popular presentations about items dug from the Red Wing Pottery dump and a new presentation on Red Wing dug from old outhouse sites. KidsView will host “Pottery of the Roaring 20s” themed activities for younger collectors to participate in.

The MidWinter GetTogether includes a number of other organized activities like a reception from 7 to 9 p.m. on Friday, Feb. 10. The theme of this year’s event is “Red Wing Speakeasy.”

Attendees are encouraged to don their gangster suits, fedoras, flapper dresses and pearls to take part in the fun.

Many attendees sell Red Wing wares from their hotel rooms during the MidWinter GetTogether. A formal Show & Sale will run from 1:30 to 4 p.m. on Saturday, Feb. 11 followed by an auction at 6 p.m. – both of which are open to the public. Whether you’re new to collecting Red Wing or an experienced collector, there’s something for everyone at the MidWinter GetTogether.

All activities will be held at the Holiday Inn Hotel & Suites, 4800 Merle Hay Road, in Des Moines, Iowa.

Annual membership in the Red Wing Collectors Society costs $25 and includes six 16-page full-color newsletters mailed to your home throughout the year. The Red Wing Collectors Society was founded in 1977 in Red Wing, Minn. and is devoted to educating people about all American pottery.

There are more than 4,000 members worldwide. The Red Wing Potteries had diverse pottery lines that included stoneware, dinnerware and art pottery.

For more details, call 1-800-977-7927 or visit www.redwingcollectors.org