Now, another event will be Saturday, as the Spring Buy/Sell/Trade show will be held from 9 a.m. through 2 p.m. at the Kosciuszko Polish Home, located at 252 Nevins Street in Dunkirk, on Saturday. Both floors of the club will be open for the event, which is free to attend.

To highlight the history of beer and breweries in the area — most notably the world-famous Koch’s Brewery, which operated out of Dunkirk for nearly a century — a Koch’s Collectables Chapter has been formed in Dunkirk. The club now has approximately 20 members, according to organizer Rob Wilcox.

“We put the club together because we’re just trying to keep Fred Koch’s name alive,” said Wilcox, who coordinated the event this past fall with Joe Gula and Bob Dimmer.

The history of Koch’s Brewery dates back to the 1800s, as Fred Koch built a brewery on the corner of Ruggles and West Courtney streets in the city of Dunkirk. Koch’s Brewery operated as a brewery for beer and ale from the late 1800s until prohibition in 1920, then pivoted to soft drinks during the prohibition era.

Items are shown from the Beer and Breweriana Show at the Kosciuszko Club in Dunkirk this past October.

After prohibition ended, Koch’s began brewing beer and ale with positive returns. Production was slowed during World War II, but by 1948, the brewery was back to full capacity, with 70 employees producing more than 70,000 barrels of beer and ale. Production continued until 1985, peaking in the 1950s with over 100,000 barrels brewed each year.

To aid in highlighting the history of Koch’s Brewery in Dunkirk, the Dunkirk Historical Society has committed to showing a display of Koch’s Brewery items at the museum. The items will rotate every six months. Wilcox noted the partnership with the Historical Society as a help to his goal with the club.

“We’ve got some pretty good backers in the community,” Wilcox said.

After the successful event this past fall, the community support helped the Koch’s Collectibles Club form and receive recognition from the Brewery Collectibles Club of America and the National Association of Breweriana Advertising. Wilcox hopes Saturday’s event will help further enhance the momentum the group has gained.

“We’re trying to get the youth back involved in a hobby,” Wilcox said.

Food and drinks will be available at Saturday’s show, which will feature over 60 tables and more than 30 vendors. There will also be a raffle and a 50/50 drawing.

“The show will be more than just Koch’s Brewery items. It’s a full breweriana show,” said Wilcox. “We’re excited.”