‘American Pickers’ visit area homes

A Clarion man (center) will be featured on an upcoming episode of the "American Pickers" series on the History Channel. Series stars Mike Wolfe (left) and Frank Fritz, along with a production crew, spent several days last week in the area. (Clarion News photo by Rodney L. Sherman)

CLARION – The “American Pickers” television show cast and production team visited the local area, making stops in the Emlenton, Foxburg and northern Clarion County areas.

On May 26, show stars Mike Wolfe and Frank Fritz and a production team visited the home of a Clarion County couple.

Cody Holland, associate field producer for the American Pickers television show, explained it is the policy of the show to not fully identify the people the show features or the exact locations of the show’s guests.

“We don’t like want to give away too much,” Holland said.

While not wanting to reveal too much about what will be featured in the show, Holland said the production team also tries to keep some details from the general public based on concerns for the featured family’s privacy and safety.

While the featured family is well-known to the Clarion News editor both personally and professionally, and many neighbors, family and friends know the identity of the featured family, the Clarion News will honor the show producers’ request the family not yet be identified.

The featured family member told producers he did not mind if his identity was known and cast members Wolfe and Fritz did pose for a photo with the local man. The photo is used with the show’s permission, but again, the Clarion News will honor the request of non-identification.

Holland said the episode featuring the local man will likely air in there to four months, but not specific air date is yet available.

“Typically, though, it’s between three and four months,” explained Holland. “There’s a lot of production work to be done.”

About the show

The American Pickers television show runs on the History Channel.

According to the show’s bio on the History Channel’s website, “This isn’t your grandmother’s antiquing. Pickers like Mike Wolfe and Frank Fritz are on a mission to recycle America, even if it means diving into countless piles of grimy junk or getting chased off a gun-wielding homeowner’s land.

“Hitting back roads from coast to coast, the two men earn a living by restoring forgotten relics to their former glory, transforming one person’s trash into another’s treasure.

“American Pickers follows them as they scour the country for hidden gems in junkyards, basements, garages and barns, meeting quirky characters and hearing their amazing stories.

“If you think the antique business is all about upscale boutiques and buttoned-up dealers, this show may change your mind — and teach you a thing or two about American history along the way.”

Been this way before

The American Pickers television show has featured Western Pennsylvania locations and families in the past.

Past episodes have featured stops in the Seminole area, Tidioute, Clearfield County and the Mercer area.

“We love Pennsylvania,” said Holland. “We’ve had some great picks here with some awesome items and cool family stories.”

The featured Clarion County family said the show producers and cast were very friendly and treated the family to a large lunch from Sweet Basil restaurant in Marianne.

The family signed various confidentially forms and agreements regarding their experience with the show and could not yet offer any specific comments.

On the scene

While viewers of the show only see Wolfe and Fritz on screen, and obliviously a camera crew is on scene, the actual production team includes numerous people and several vehicles other than the often seen white “Antique Archeology” van.

Again, Holland said it is the show’s policy to not reveal too much about the show is filmed and produced.

The outcome?

Holland said he could not say what the “pickers” might have purchased from the local family, if anything.

“You will have to watch the show,” Holland said with a friendly smile.