Seabeck men featured on History Channel show “American Pickers”

Verne Christopher and Darrell Durbin of Seabeck will appear on the History Channel show "American Pickers" on Monday, Dec. 3.

Verne Christopher and Darrell Durbin of Seabeck will appear on the History Channel show “American Pickers” on Monday, Dec. 3.

A viewing party is planned at Camp Union Saloon in Seabeck. The party will start at 5:30 p.m., and the episode is set to air half an hour later, at 6 p.m.

Christopher’s daughter, Melinda Smieja, said the party is open to anyone who wants to join.

The episode, “Full Steam Ahead,” is the fifth episode of the show’s fifth season.

According Smieja, promotional videos for the episode are already running on the station.

The History Channel’s website lists a description of the upcoming episode:

“After taking a joyride on a rare 100 year old monster tractor, Mike and his brother Robbie take to a property packed with amazing steam engines and rusty relics. In Washington State, Robbie(‘s) bid on sone heavy machinery leads to a high stakes lumberjack competition. Later, the guys head to Whidbey Island and find a graveyard of car grills and a 1947 Chevy pickup.”

Smieja was responsible for bringing the show to Kitsap County. After seeing a notice that the show was looking for locations in the area, she told the producers about her father’s collection of old military vehicles.

Smieja said the producers quickly responded, sending a scout to the area to talk to her father and see his collection.

When the scout arrived, Christopher reportedly refused to sell any parts of his collection, but sent the scout down the road to his neighbor, Darrell Durbin.

“American Pickers” follows Mike Wolfe and Frank Fritz, two “Pickers” who travel the country looking for relics and antiques, which they then restore.

Full episodes are often posted on the “American Pickers” website after airing on TV.