IKE STRIKES - HADA ANTIQUES SHOW CANCELLED

This time hurricane Ike was the culprit that forced the cancellation of the HADA Antiques Show at the George R. Brown Convention Center in Houston TX. The show dates were scheduled for September 19th, 20th and 21st. Just three years ago the HADA Antiques Show was canceled due to the major havoc caused by the Gulf hurricane Katrina. More than 150 worldwide dealers have been notified of the cancellation.

As with the aftermath of Katrina, the George R. Brown Convention Center (GRB), one of two major Houston area convention centers in Houston is being used as temporary staging area for distraught Ike victims, which prompted the center to reschedule the HADA show. The flooding of homes, collapsed ceilings, and downed trees on property has forced thousands to seek shelter and food at the downtown convention center. Fortunately the convention center sustained only superficial damage, officials say, as no floodwater entered the building.

Three exhibit halls on the ground floor are now serving as a homeless shelter, a triage center and a cafeteria to mostly Houstonians whose homes are now in shambles. The American Red Cross, which is organizing the relief efforts at the convention center, said that up to 5,000 people can be served at the site.

The HADA show organizers are saddened by the destruction caused by Ike. As a non-profit organization, they have been able to donate the show's proceeds over the many years to to local charities such as: The Heritage Society, who's mission is to preserve the complete history of the community and region through preservation and restoration of historic structures. The Brookwood Community, an educational, residential, and entrepreneurial village for functionally disabled adults and the Houston Junior Forum, a women's volunteer organization committed to providing charitable service to the children, youth and senior adults.

HADA has their shows twice yearly, in mid February and in the Fall, mid September. Show organizers are having discussions regarding changing the Fall show date since the show has been canceled twice in three years, September being at the peak of hurricane season. The difficulty comes because the Atlantic hurricane season is officially from June 1st through November, 30th. There is nothing magical in these dates, and hurricanes have occurred outside of these six months, but these dates were selected to encompass over 97% of tropical activity. June 1st has been the traditional start of the Atlantic hurricane season for decades. However, the end date has been slowly shifted outward, from October 31st to November 15th until its current date of November 30th. This will make the decision to change the date more difficult.

The Spring HADA show 2009, is scheduled from Friday, February 13th through Sunday, February 15th. We will be praying for “blue skies”.

Jane