The 14th East Coast Peanuts Collectors held their meeting in Roanoke last week – the very first time the group has met outside of Pennsylvania. The East Coast Peanuts Collectors formed in 1994 as a way for fans of the Peanuts comic strip to stay in touch. Approximately 200 attendees from all over the country attended the event. Proceeds from this bi-annual event benefit Canine Companions for Independence (CCI).
While here, the group enjoyed a bus tour provided by Commonwealth Coach & Trolley Museum to the National D-Day Memorial in Bedford. Charles Shultz, creator of the comic strip, was a great supporter of the D-Day Memorial project. Mr. Schultz chaired the National D-Day Memorial Foundation Capital Campaign and donated $1 million to the project. Jean Shultz, Charles Schultz s wife, is expected to donate memorabilia from the Shultz Foundation to the National D-Day Memorial Foundation.
Weekend highlights for the group included a Collectors Market Extravaganza, “LIVE” trivia contest, Scavenger Hunt, Decorated Scarf Contest, Tee-shirt contest, and Bake Sale. Chuck Macy, Event Coordinator, stated, “this will be the Peanuts party of the year!”
The Roanoke Valley Convention & Visitors Bureau estimates the group contributed over $120,000 in direct spending to the Roanoke Valley economy.
