Three times a year – in May, July, and September – the small Massachusetts town of Brimfield transforms into a massive antique fair. Running from Tuesday through Sunday, “Brimfield” is actually an agglomeration of twenty shows that take place in multiple fields and buildings throughout the week. The shows stretch along about a mile of Route 20, a two-lane road that runs through the center of town.
I’ve been to Brimfield many times over the past dozen years. Here is my advice on what to expect and how to have the best shopping experience.
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The Oakland Museum White Elephant Sale is the mother of all rummage sales in the Bay Area. Now in its 56th year, the sale is a major fundraiser for the Oakland Museum of California and a major vintage shopping destination. While I first attended the White Elephant Sale about 20 years ago, I only learned about the secret donor shopping days several years ago. Admittedly it’s not that big a secret since, if you read their website carefully the information is there, but it’s buried several pages in and not broadcast on the home page. Once you know about donor shopping days you’ll always want to shop during them. I save items all year to donate to the White Elephant Sale just so that I can shop during donor shopping days.
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The best antique market in London isn’t actually in London and, as a result, often isn’t listed in guidebooks or internet searches. But if you love antiques and are visiting London, you should make a point of attending the antique market held twice a month at the Kempton Park racetrack. It’s an easy train ride from central London so, do as the locals do, and head to Kempton in search of antiques.
Formally known as the Sunbury Antiques Market, but referred to by locals as “Kempton”, it is held on the second and last Tuesdays of each month, rain or shine. TIP: be sure to check the calendar because the LAST Tuesday can be the fourth of or fifth week of the month. About 600-700 dealers are located in a series of three indoor spaces plus outdoor spaces.
by by Updated June 2015 to reflect new information
While this is no secret to anyone living in the Bay Area, the Alameda Point Antique Faire should be on the must-do list of anyone visiting the Bay Area who has an interest in vintage and antique goods. Not only is it great for shopping, but this is also a market with a view: the market takes place on an air strip at the former Alameda Naval Air Station and has a view of San Francisco, the Bay, and the giant cranes of the Port of Oakland as a backdrop.
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I’ve wanted to attend the big antiques fair in Round Top, Texas for many years and finally did so this year. Known as “Antiques Weekend” or “Texas Antiques Week”, both are really misnomers as the shows take place over more than a two week span (March 21-April 5 in 2015, the year I attended).
During this time period over 60 separate shows take place in several towns about midway between Austin and Houston, with the greatest concentration in the towns of Round Top and Warrenton. I stayed in Austin and it was about an hour and a half drive. The shows are mostly strung along a 10 mile stretch of highway 37.
by by Three times a year Mount Dora, Florida becomes a major destination for antique-lovers. This is when Renninger’s, the famed Pennsylvania antique show promoter, hold their Extravaganzas.
Taking place in November, January, and February, Renninger’s Mount Dora Extravaganzas live up to their name with about 800 dealers from all over the country selling vintage and antique wares. The Extravaganzas go on rain or shine; while not as pleasant in the rain, many of the dealers are set up in indoor spaces and covered sheds making it possible to get some serious antiquing done even when it’s raining (and being Florida, the rain usually passes quickly). It’s also fairly spread out with some booths climbing a gentle hill, so be prepared for a lot of walking.
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