‘American Pickers’ set to visit state

Published 12:01 am Friday, January 22, 2016

NATCHEZ — It’s a little early for spring cleaning, but making it a priority to go through an old attic or garage could result in a visit from the cast of “American Pickers” in March.

The documentary series on the History Channel features two antiques pickers, Mike Wolfe and Frank Fritz, who travel America in search of valuable antiques.

This March, the show will be filming in Mississippi. The show’s casting associate producer reached out to Visit Natchez Public Relations Manager Jessica Cauthen last week, asking her to spread the word.

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“Natchez is definitely the place for it,” Cauthen said. “You can go up in anybody’s attic and find a treasure trove.”

It’s not the first time the show has contacted her. Cauthen said the show reached out to them in 2014 as well.

Representatives from the city’s Convention and Visitors Bureau travelled around the area, seeing what people had. The show looks for items from early Boy Scout items, vintage concert posters and T-shirts to pinball machines and Vespa motor scooters, among other things.

In 2014, Cauthen remembered seeing old Coca-Cola machines, sports memorabilia and other items.

“They just want to find stuff that people have hidden away, older things that people don’t think about, a lot of things that wouldn’t have been important back then but are now, like ’50s toys,” Cauthen said.

Two years ago, Cauthen said she didn’t believe the crew picked anyone since no one came to film. But Cauthen still has the information from last time, so anyone who submitted items they won’t have to resubmit.

Cauthen is also encouraging people who didn’t submit in 2014 to do so now since it would increase the chances of the show coming to Natchez.

“It would be awesome if we could actually get the show here and get some people on there,” Cauthen said.

To be considered, or to refer someone, residents can contact the show at americanpickers@cineflix.com or leave a message at 1-855-OLD-RUST. Cauthen said interested parties are encouraged to reach out to the CVB.

Information such as name, address, contact number and a description of the items should be included. No retail shops or flea markets will be considered.