NO SHOW American Pickers’ Mike Wolfe snubs hometown Iowa’s annual festival despite promoting event and urging fans to ‘join him’
NO SHOW American Pickers’ Mike Wolfe snubs hometown Iowa’s annual festival despite promoting event and urging fans to ‘join him’
AMERICAN Pickers star Mike Wolfe has snubbed his hometown Iowa’s annual festival despite promoting the event and urging fans to join him.
Tugfest in Le Claire, Iowa, which took place from August 10 to 12, is an annual festival that includes a parade, fireworks show, Colorblaze 5k run, carnival, and a tug-of-war between Iowa and Illinois across the Mississippi River.
Mike Wolfe skipped out on his hometown’s local annual festival
Mike urged his fans to visit Tugfest, though he did not attend
The U.S. Sun can exclusively reveal that despite promoting the event on social media, Mike, 59, skipped out on his hometown festivities.
The American Pickers star posted ahead of the festival: “One of the coolest perks of setting up shop along the mighty Mississippi? Experiencing an event like no other – Tugfest!
“Join us this weekend in LeClaire, IA to soak in the small-town charm, witness the epic tug-of-war rivalry, and explore Antique Archaeology. It’s a once-a-year thrill that’s as unique as our treasures!”
The U.S. Sun could also confirm Antique Archaeology did not participate in the August 10 parade, despite many local businesses passing out candy and merchandise to the crowd.
Instead, the store offered a free Antique Archaeology refrigerator magnet with a $59 purchase to celebrate Tugfest.
A source told The U.S. Sun that Mike was in Tennessee, where he primarily resides, at the time of the festival.
His Iowa home located on the Mississippi River and right across from the carnival was occupied by his sister, Beth, and her family on Friday night for the fireworks show.
Multiple Le Claire residents told The U.S. Sun that Mike isn’t seen often in town, despite urging fans to visit Le Claire on his social media.
Mike, however, does visit his antique store twice a month to bring in new merchandise and overlook operations, according to an insider.
The collector and his girlfriend, Leticia Cline, did attend the festival in 2021, as The U.S. Sun posted exclusive photos of the couple enjoying the parade.
IOWA REAL ESTATE
Despite the snub, Mike owns many storefronts and real estate in Le Claire.
Back in 1999, he opened up Wolfe’s Village Bike in Eldridge, Iowa, where he taught bicycle history and safety.
The business continues to be active today, as his sister Beth is listed as an agent of the company.
The History Channel star bought a commercial property in Le Claire, Iowa in January 2009 for just $100.
The 3,168-square-foot building is occupied by store The Shameless Chocoholic.
In December 2010, Mike spent $115,000 on another commercial property in Le Claire.
In March 2013, he bought the lot next door for a purchase price of zero, as One Twenty Nine Coffee & Spirits are renting out the location.
In September 2011, Mike spent $97,000 on another commercial property in Le Claire that he uses for Antique Archaeology.
In November 2013, he spent $23,000 on the plot next door to extend Antique Archaeology.
READY TO RETIRE?
The U.S. Sun previously reported American Pickers could be coming to an end, as he and his brother, Robbie, are ready to retire.
A pal of Mike’s exclusively told The U.S. Sun: “I don’t know how long the show will last. I don’t know how long Mike and Robbie want to do this. I think they would like to retire at some point. It’s been 12 years.
“It’s a strain on your life. They’ve done this a long time. When they’re around it’s, ‘Ah we’re on the road again. I ain’t got time to do this, I ain’t got time to do that.’
“It’s a love-hate like with any job. Some days you don’t wish you had that job and you could do whatever you wanted. Some days you’re all excited about your job.”
RATINGS CRISIS
American Pickers coming to an end could be because the series is experiencing low ratings for Season 24.
The July 5 premiere started off strong with 918,000 viewers watching.
For the July 12 show, 803,000 watched, while 713,000 tuned in for the July 19 episode.
Ratings were better for the July 26 episode with 885,000 viewers.
The August 9 episode had 778,000 viewers, while the August 16 episode had 706,000 people watch.
