By Monique Roth
L’Observateur

ST. CHARLES — St. Charles Parish will get picked over in January when “American Pickers” — a History Channel documentary series that explores the fascinating world of antique “picking” — visits the parish.

The show follows skilled pickers Mike Wolfe and Frank Fritz as they embark on a road trip across the country in search of America’s most valuable antiques.

Wolfe and Fritz, who call themselves “modern archaeologists,” drive the back roads of America knocking on doors, digging through barns and basements and sifting through junkyards and warehouses. The dirty, rusty treasures and antiques they pull out of these places are given a new life and saved for future generations to appreciate. 

“The TV and film industry is a thriving industry and to have such growth right here in our parish is a wonderful thing,” St. Charles Parish Councilwoman Julia Fisher-Perrier said. “The benefits include exposure to our great parish, economic gain for our local businesses and tax base and a beaming sense of pride when we see our own landmarks and backyards on national TV.”

Councilman Larry Cochran agrees, and said he was thrilled when he heard the show was coming to St. Charles Parish to film an episode.   

“That is one of my favorite shows,” Cochran said. “The first thought I had was, ‘do I have enough junk in my garage for them to come to my house?’

“But seriously … I think we have seen a real increase in economic activity because of the filming here in St. Charles Parish. We know in our hearts that we live in a special place. It is nice to know that outsiders recognize that fact as well.”

Anthony Rodriguez, a producer on the show, said the pickers will visit Louisiana in January and are looking for people with barns, warehouses or buildings full of odd, unique and interesting collections. He said the show’s hosts also love to explore the history of the locations tied to the items.

Rodriguez said the show is looking for Vespas, Lambretta and Cushman motor scooters, old advertising signage, motorcycles, pre-1960s to turn of the century bicycles, wind-up or tin toys, pre 1950’s vending machines, pinball and slot machines, old movie posters, unusual radios, antique casino/gaming machines, taxidermy, vintage concert posters and T-shirts, early Boy Scout items, pre 1950’s western/equestrian gear, sports memorabilia, Houdini items, old rodeo items, late 1970’s and earlier military items, extraordinary mobster memorabilia, vintage police officer collectibles, firefighter collectibles, pre 1940’s telephones, folk art, vintage BB guns/cap guns, early Halloween items, pre 1940’s Christmas items, Hawaiiana/Tiki collectibles, Civil War antiques, vintage gas pumps, pre 1970’s old neon signs, strange woodcarvings and vintage collegiate collectibles.

Interested contributors can contact the show at americanpickers@cineflix.com or call 1-855-OLD-RUST.