ARCOLA, Ill. – Devotees gathering at a weekend festival to honor the nation's most iconic rag dolls hope a petition drive will convince officials to induct Raggedy Andy into the National Toy Hall of Fame.
Organizers at the 18th annual Raggedy Ann and Andy Festival in Arcola said they've already collected at least 10,000 signatures on a petition to add Andy to the institution along side his famous sister.
Ann entered the Rochester, N.Y.-based Hall of Fame in 2002.
Fans say it's unfair to have one of the dolls, created by Arcola native Johnny Gruelle, inducted without the other.
"Ann and Andy are meant to be together," said Tom Wannamaker, who owns the Raggedy Ann and Andy Museum with his wife, Joni, who is Gruelle's granddaughter.
The festival was held in downtown Arcola, a central Illinois community roughly 70 miles east of Springfield.
About three dozen toys have been included in the hall of fame, including Barbie, the jump rope and roller skates.
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