Brimfield Antiques & Collectibles Show
Brimfield Antiques & Collectibles Show
Brimfield, Massachusetts
The largest outdoor antique flea market in the entire country
By Curtis Solash
There are many wonderful antique and collectible venues in the U.S., but one legendary name stands out above the rest: Brimfield! Three times a year, for a week in May, July and September, this 1.5 mile stretch on Route 20 in southern Massachusetts, between Sturbridge and Palmer, becomes the largest outdoor antique flea market in the entire country: the Brimfield Antiques & Collectibles Show.
Tens to hundreds of thousands of buyers, browsers, people watchers and lovers of the odd and unusual descend upon Brimfield during these 3 weeks making it an unforgettable experience. The record during one week in 2014 was close to 500,000.
There are 22 separate fields opening at various points during the week, attracting upwards of 7,000 dealers from the U.S. and many foreign countries. As the pictures indicate, you can and will see everything and anything imaginable for sale there.
I have been attending at least one show a year on a fairly regular basis since 1982 and some of the most memorable things for sale I can recall seeing include: a Chinese festival dragon about a block long, a whole 1880’s post office interior, an entire 1920’s switchboard, a giant Bob’s Big Boy statue. ancient Japanese samurai costumes, real gravestones and coffins and a supposedly authentic Abraham Lincoln death mask!
Any collector of dolls, jewelry, books, old advertising, furniture, glassware, cameras, lighting fixtures, quilts, records, toys and games, cookware, political memorabilia – or anything else- will think they are in heaven.
It all started back in 1959 when Gordon Reid, a local auctioneer, established an outdoor site: Gordon Reid’s Famous Antique Show. Observing his success, several neighbors followed suit and the concept kept spreading. When Reid died in 1974, the show was taken over by his daughters and renamed J & J Promotions. Nearly 50 years later, they are still there today.
Some of the other markets include: Mays, Quaker Acres, New England Motel, Hartans, Heart-of-the-Mart, Crystal Brook, Sturtevant’s and Collector’s Choice.
But there’s no need to remember the names - they come one after the other on Route 20 and you just walk and walk.
Restrooms and ATM’s are conveniently located throughout. A large centrally located food and beverage court catering to every taste as well as various other food and drink stands are scattered about.
Porters-for-hire help with very large purchases.
The many helpful Brimfield online websites assist with every aspect of the experience, from lodging and restaurant recommendations to useful “survival” strategies. Just Google “Brimfield Antiques” and you’re on your way!
For more information about the Brimfield Antiques & Collectibles Show, visit http://www.brimfield.com/ or http://brimfieldantiquefleamarket.com/ orhttp://brimfieldshow.org/.
If you are traveling through Massachusetts with children, be sure to visit http://www.massvacation.com/explore/bring-the-kids/
Brimfield, Massachusetts
The largest outdoor antique flea market in the entire country
By Curtis Solash
There are many wonderful antique and collectible venues in the U.S., but one legendary name stands out above the rest: Brimfield! Three times a year, for a week in May, July and September, this 1.5 mile stretch on Route 20 in southern Massachusetts, between Sturbridge and Palmer, becomes the largest outdoor antique flea market in the entire country: the Brimfield Antiques & Collectibles Show.
Tens to hundreds of thousands of buyers, browsers, people watchers and lovers of the odd and unusual descend upon Brimfield during these 3 weeks making it an unforgettable experience. The record during one week in 2014 was close to 500,000.
There are 22 separate fields opening at various points during the week, attracting upwards of 7,000 dealers from the U.S. and many foreign countries. As the pictures indicate, you can and will see everything and anything imaginable for sale there.
I have been attending at least one show a year on a fairly regular basis since 1982 and some of the most memorable things for sale I can recall seeing include: a Chinese festival dragon about a block long, a whole 1880’s post office interior, an entire 1920’s switchboard, a giant Bob’s Big Boy statue. ancient Japanese samurai costumes, real gravestones and coffins and a supposedly authentic Abraham Lincoln death mask!
Any collector of dolls, jewelry, books, old advertising, furniture, glassware, cameras, lighting fixtures, quilts, records, toys and games, cookware, political memorabilia – or anything else- will think they are in heaven.
It all started back in 1959 when Gordon Reid, a local auctioneer, established an outdoor site: Gordon Reid’s Famous Antique Show. Observing his success, several neighbors followed suit and the concept kept spreading. When Reid died in 1974, the show was taken over by his daughters and renamed J & J Promotions. Nearly 50 years later, they are still there today.
Some of the other markets include: Mays, Quaker Acres, New England Motel, Hartans, Heart-of-the-Mart, Crystal Brook, Sturtevant’s and Collector’s Choice.
But there’s no need to remember the names - they come one after the other on Route 20 and you just walk and walk.
Restrooms and ATM’s are conveniently located throughout. A large centrally located food and beverage court catering to every taste as well as various other food and drink stands are scattered about.
Porters-for-hire help with very large purchases.
The many helpful Brimfield online websites assist with every aspect of the experience, from lodging and restaurant recommendations to useful “survival” strategies. Just Google “Brimfield Antiques” and you’re on your way!
For more information about the Brimfield Antiques & Collectibles Show, visit http://www.brimfield.com/ or http://brimfieldantiquefleamarket.com/ orhttp://brimfieldshow.org/.
If you are traveling through Massachusetts with children, be sure to visit http://www.massvacation.com/explore/bring-the-kids/
Curtis Solash is a world traveler and antique advertising memorabilia collector who lives in sunny Florida and hopes to one day share a home with a capybara.
Article and photos by Curtis Solash. Copyright 2016 Sunny Harbor Publishing. Contact Us: Po Box 560318, Rockledge, FL 32956. Phone 321-446-7552. Email: [email protected] |
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