One man's throwaways are another man's Winter Carnival collectibles.
Vintage memorabilia — from a 1960s ashtray to a framed print of the 1986 ice palace — were once considered lucky finds at antique shops or on eBay.
But this year, producers of the carnival decided also to get into the business by selling such knick-knacks at its Fifth Street skyway store in the weeks leading up to the festival and at its annual memorabilia exhibit during its 10-day run.
Long-sleeve T-shirts, good for drying cars at the car wash, recently sold out after going for a buck apiece, said Marilyn DiMartino, who peddled the period pieces as a longtime volunteer with the St. Paul Festival and Heritage Foundation.
"You can't buy rags that cheap," quipped her husband and carnival souvenir collector, Eugene DiMartino.
Eager to make some cash and clear up its cluttered storage rooms, the foundation started selling the dated merchandise after it unloaded some items at a November "garage sale" for Landmark Center, where its offices are located.
One thing was clear: People will pay money for old carnival stuff.
Other items for sale include postcards, photography prints, carnival buttons, royalty coins, golf shirts, pewter dishes and stationery. They tell the story of extravagant ice palaces, Vulcans on parade and primitive snow sculptures (including one of a polka-dotted "Happy the Clown," circa 1960).
Although not exactly vintage, other popular collectibles — Vulcan and Klondike Kate bobbleheads — will ensure the carnival's rightful place in Minnesota kitsch. The characters are priced at $25 and $20, respectively, with proceeds going toward their alumni organizations.
Since the skyway shop's opening around Thanksgiving, it has sold more than $3,000 in vintage items, Marilyn DiMartino said.
St. Paul history buffs, fear not: The foundation continues to store some of the originals for safekeeping. Carnival insiders have long discussed the idea of one day creating a museum for all those, um, treasures.
Laura Yuen can be reached at lyuen@pioneerpress.com or 651-228-5498.
FYI
You can browse or buy vintage St. Paul Winter Carnival items at the festival's memorabilia exhibit, open 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Friday through Feb. 5 at Landmark Center.
The Carnival's skyway shop, located on the second level between the downtown Marshall Field's and the Fifth Street Center, has been open from about 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Mondays through Fridays but will be closing shortly to prepare for the Landmark Center exhibit.
Copyright 2006 Pioneer Press.