"Pawn Stars" coming to Pechanga

The men who have turned haggling over the price of a pair of Air Jordans ---- and a host of other unique items ---- into "must-see TV" are coming to Temecula.

From 11 a.m.to 4 p.m. Saturday, three of the stars of the History Channel's "Pawn Stars" program ---- one of the most popular reality shows on cable ---- will be appearing at the Pechanga Resort & Casino's Silk nightclub.

The free event will allow local folks to have their wares examined by the show's stars and possibly purchased for cash.

To keep the line moving, the trio ---- Rick "The Spotter" Harrison, Corey "Big Hoss" Harrison and Austin "Chumlee" Russell ---- are limiting visitors to one item each for appraisal. And they are not allowing people to bring vehicles or weapons.

During a phone interview, Russell said the "Pawn Stars" team will be looking for antiques, gold jewelry, art by well-known artists and pretty much anything else of value.

It's difficult to "wow" the guys these days, but Russell said he'd be impressed with some "OG Jordans" from before 1999.

Since the show hit the airwaves about a year and a half ago, the Pawn Stars have done about 30 of these buying event appearances. Saturday will mark their first time in Temecula, however.

"We're looking to have a good time down there," said Russell, who works in the Stars' Las Vegas shop.

For folks thinking about taking prized baseball cards or signed memorabilia, Russell said the group won't have their expert with them, which will make it tough for them to pull the trigger on a sale.

"Signatures are going to be the toughest thing," he said, adding that people will need documentation to back the signed piece for it to even be considered.

Besides working a regular shift at their Las Vegas pawn shop, the show's stars try to hit the road and do book appearances as often as they can, Russell said. They also do promotional work: interviews, presenting at award shows, etc.

This busy schedule ---- and their show's popularity ---- has helped them become household names and turned them into celebrities.

"They see us in their living room and they feel like they know us as a friend," he said, describing the reaction of people he meets. "There's no normal reaction from anyone now."

Although some people shun that spotlight, Russell said he takes pictures and chats with fans when he can.

Pechanga spokesman Robert Bledsoe said the appearance by Russell and the others at the nightclub is a casino promotion and it won't be filmed for their show.

The casino has hosted reality TV stars in the past, but this is the first time it's hosted a buying event for visitors. And he said he's hoping it's a roaring success, with a line that snakes through the casino.

"It's a completely unique event for Pechanga," he said.

If the best-case scenario for the casino plays out, there will be a big crowd of people with items, so Bledsoe is recommending you arrive early to make sure you can get your item appraised.



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