NEW LEXINGTON – The morning of Tuesday, July 19, people filed into the Antiques building at the Perry County Fairgrounds in New Lexington, home of the long-running Perry County Fair. As part of the fair’s annual tradition, the antique show was being held, meaning that judges with expertise in antiques and experience auctioneering would be assessing the numerous pieces entered in a variety of categories by residents of Perry County.
When he discovered that the antique show’s 2022 theme was music, Jacob Copis of Somerset jumped at the opportunity to enter his vintage record player. The player, a Califone 1155k with speakers that secure over the top, effectively making the device portable, was in great condition and had been given to Jacob by his mother, Michele Copis. Michele candidly confessed that she really just wanted to have a record player in the house so that she could play and share a record she owned of the single “Perry County, Ohio.” The song, an upbeat piece by singer and local Ronald Mills who passed away early last year, is a catchy, hidden gem that most residents of the county aren’t familiar with.
“I got that record from one of my music teachers in grade school,” Michele explained. “She posted on Facebook saying she had a couple copies if anybody wanted them, and I was like, ‘Yes, I want that!’ because almost all of my kids were counselors of 4–H Camp. I wanted them to be able to bring that to camp for the kids that had never heard it.”
Jacob’s sister, Eva Copis, manned the record player’s booth during most of the day Wednesday and was eager to play the song for anyone that stopped by and showed interest.The family was overjoyed when the piece won third place in the main, themed antique contest, winning Jacob $5. Even though he hadn’t received the $15 prize that comes with winning first place, he still got bragging rights over his sister, Eva explained, because she had entered something, too – a vintage saxophone.
But that isn’t all the family entered in the show. Eva estimated that the Copis family entered more than 40 pieces in this year’s competition, each member of the family being an avid fan of collecting various antiques. Jacob focuses on collecting music and camera equipment, while their father collects antique tools and vintage clothing. Eva’s expertise is also vintage clothing, and she cleared out that category this year, earning first, second and third place.
“Most of my stuff is from the 50’s, but there is a shawl that’s Edwardian,” Eva explained, gesturing toward the gorgeous black shawl draped over a mannequin encased in a glass box across the room. Above the box hung her dresses, 1950’s style gowns with bright floral prints. “So Edwardian is between the 1870s to ‘90s. (The shawl) was actually my great, great, great, great grandma’s,” she explained.
The Copises don’t typically enter in any other competitions at the fair outside of 4–H and the Antique Show, but have been part of the fair for an estimated 30 years
“We’re a very competitive family. We love to compete,” Eva explained. “And it’s always nice to come in and see what we win… or it’s neat when older people come in and are like, I had that when I was a kid.”
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