Fiesta tableware celebrates 85 years with a big tent sale at the W.Va.

The Fiesta Tableware Co. is celebrating two big anniversaries with a tent sale and other festivities at its outlet store in Newell, West Virginia.

The company celebrates 150 years of manufacturing in the United States, as well as the 85th anniversary of the iconic tableware brand Fiesta.

The tent sale of second-quality pieces will be held from 8:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. Thursday to Saturday and from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Sunday.

“We don’t want to save seconds, but we do,” said Katie Bricker, Fiesta Marketing Director. “It might just be a small scratch, but it didn’t pass QC. ”

The wide variety of dinnerware, vases, serving dishes and other merchandise will be 50-80% off regular prices in the second room at Fiesta’s outlet, Bricker said.

The 150th anniversary celebration is scheduled for Friday from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. with music, food trucks, games, photo ops, and socializing with characters from the company’s history throughout. the day.

Visitors will also receive Fiesta cookies while supplies last.

Mark Gonzalez will present a live “Fiesta Roadshow” to identify the authenticity and value of selected pieces brought in by visitors. Gonzalez has published four collector’s books on articles made by Homer Laughlin and Taylor Smith & Taylor, contributed to other publications, and has written over 40 articles on pottery.

Tent sales prizes will include Fiesta birthday coins, factory tours, line passes, lucky raffle tickets and other raffles, as well as gift certificates and t-shirts Fiesta.

Prize draw participants must be present to claim the prizes. The chance raffle grand prize is a private behind-the-scenes tour of the factory, museum, and exhibition hall, plus a 150th anniversary vase.

Online auctions

The company also opened its safe for an online auction until Friday at biddingforgood.com.

One item described as “a pitfall” is a Raspberry Bowl (number 150 out of 500), originally released on December 5, 1997, with a very limited run of 500 pieces in raspberry frosting to commemorate the 500 millionth Fiesta coin produced. . .

The Raspberry Bowl has raised more than $ 5,000 at auction in recent years, according to a press release.

Other auction items include prototype small tumblers and a peacock dough bowl, none of which were produced, and a one-of-a-kind cookie jar.

“Auction items will close every five minutes starting at 2:30 p.m. Friday,” Bricker said. “The auction will end with the… cookie jar. ”

The company has partnered with the East Liverpool (Ohio) High School Alumni Association for the auction, with funds raised to promote educational opportunities in local school districts.

Stay relevant

Founded in 1871, Fiesta was one of the first white goods factories in the United States. Its products were first introduced during the Great Depression in vibrant colors of red, blue, green, yellow and ivory meant to brighten up spirits.

A new color is introduced every year and another color is dropped, for a total of 53 so far. Fiesta comes in 15 signature shades at all times.

The new color for 2021 is Twilight, a shade of deep blue.

The introduction of new colors “is one of the things that has kept us (Fiesta) trendy,” Bricker said. “We are working hard to stay relevant.

“Another reason it has remained so popular is that people have fond memories of using it in their grandparents or parents,” she said. “It is one of the few tableware models still available since its creation 85 years ago. ”

The Fiesta Outlet Store is located at 800 Fiesta Drive in Newell. For more information, visit fiestafactorydirect.com.