06/15/2026
The 49th Annual Des Moines Marble Show is officially in the books, and what a week it was! This year's event was the largest marble show we have ever hosted since moving to Des Moines. From the moment the first room doors opened on Monday until the final table was packed up on Saturday afternoon, the energy, enthusiasm, and camaraderie were simply incredible. On behalf of Heather and myself, thank you to everyone who helped make this year's show such a tremendous success.
In-room trading began in full force on Monday, June 8, with more than 25 rooms of buyers and sellers already open for business. By Tuesday, our collector room block had grown to more than 60 rooms, and rare marbles were already changing hands and finding new homes in collections across the country. Wednesday pushed us beyond 90 rooms, and by the middle of the week many collectors were already discovering that their flashlight batteries needed a recharge after countless hours spent examining marbles.
Thursday became the largest single day of in-room trading in Des Moines Marble Show history, with more than 125 rooms occupied by marble collectors. The snack table and bottled water cooler helped keep everyone energized while dealers did their best to keep up with eager buyers searching for that next special addition to their collections. Thursday evening also reminded us of something equally important: the friendships that make this hobby so special. We were honored to celebrate the life of longtime collector and friend Bill Tow, who passed away on May 10. Sharing memories alongside Bill's wife, Vicki, and their sons, Spencer and Ben, was a meaningful moment that reminded us how much this hobby truly feels like family.
Friday brought a mixture of departures and arrivals. While some collectors began their long journeys home, others checked in specifically for the weekend festivities. The newly opened Friday rooms quickly became destinations for eager buyers, and the excitement continued throughout the day. Stephen Bahr spent part of the day recording footage for an upcoming YouTube video focused on Peltier Picture Marbles. The finished video should provide collectors with valuable historical information and help preserve and share the history of these iconic marbles for future generations.
Then came Saturday, and what can only be described as a record setting day. Personally, I have not witnessed a marble show this busy since walking the aisles of the Amana Show as a child. Doughnuts and coffee welcomed dealers during setup beginning at 7:00 AM, while members of the public arrived well before the 9:00 AM opening. There was simply no keeping the doors closed. The ballroom quickly reached capacity, and more than 250 attendees passed through the show during the day from all across the United States. Pizza arrived around 11:00 AM and helped keep everyone fueled until closing time. The pace never slowed, and the public turnout exceeded all expectations. Several collections walked in from the street, including some exceptionally rare finds such as a Peltier Green Rebel, a Peltier Golden Rebel, multiple Peltier Supermen, Rebels, Liberties, and Christmas Trees.
Every collector group likes to believe they have the best people, but I genuinely believe our hobby can back up that claim. The generosity, honesty, and kindness displayed throughout the week were remarkable. Whether it was a collector offering a great deal on a marble, giving one away to help someone start a collection, sharing research, donating a marble box, or simply taking time to help a fellow collector, the spirit of this hobby was on display everywhere you looked. The marble hobby is more than a hobby; it is a family. Each June, the Des Moines Marble Show feels less like an event and more like one of the largest family reunions in the country.
We would also like to extend our heartfelt thanks to the staff at the Holiday Inn Des Moines Northwest for serving as the host hotel for this year's show. From the front desk and housekeeping staff to management and banquet personnel, everyone treated our group with kindness, professionalism, and genuine hospitality throughout the week. They worked hard to accommodate our unique needs, responded quickly whenever assistance was needed, and helped create a welcoming environment for collectors and guests alike. Like any event of this size, there were a few minor hiccups along the way, but the hotel staff consistently went above and beyond to help ensure the show remained a success. We are extremely grateful for their partnership, look forward to continuing our relationship with them in the years ahead, and simply could not have hosted an event of this magnitude without such gracious hosts.
Finally, I would like to extend my sincere thanks to everyone who continues to support this show. Thank you to those who travel hundreds and even thousands of miles to attend. Thank you to those who donate financially to help us grow the event. Thank you to those who volunteer their time distributing thousands of flyers, helping with setup, running errands, answering questions, and handling the countless behind the scenes tasks that make the week possible. The success of this show belongs to all of you.
Please keep an eye on our page for upcoming announcements regarding next year's 50th Annual Des Moines Marble Show. If this year's event was any indication, the golden anniversary celebration is sure to be another one for the record books. We look forward to seeing everyone back in Des Moines in 2027!
