Vintage treasures, unique home decor, project pieces for repainting and salvage for repurposing, it’s all in one place this spring and just a 2 1/2 hour drive from Indy.
Now in it’s 26th year, the Springfield Ohio Antique Show and Flea Market is back and promises to be better than ever. A straight shot across I-70 to the Clark County Fairgrounds Exposition Center puts you in the center of the action for what CNN calls one of “America’s best Markets.”
The bargains start at the entrance to the grounds, with an admission charge of $3 for the two-day shows, $5 for the three-day Extravaganza weekend, and for $10 a special Early Bird admission on Extravaganza Friday that lets you in at 7 a.m. and includes admission to the Saturday and Sunday shows. Now tell me, where you can find a better deal for your money?
My husband, who took me as a surprise for our anniversary last year, patiently walked beside with me for the first little while. This is really not his kind of outing and he was being a good sport. Then half way down the second row I lost him, only to find him again going through a stack of old books. He was hooked. Next came knives, fishing gear, tools, antique toy cars and sports memorabilia. Half way through the day I hadn’t made a purchase, but he had filled our cart with his “treasures.”
After loading the morning’s finds in the truck and a quick lunch, it was my turn to shop.
Furniture, hard find in many shows, abounded. From fine French antiques and primitives cupboards to funky little painted chests and coffee tables made from industrial carts, the selection was amazing. Handcrafted quilts, samplers and crewel work pieces were offered by an 80-year-old lady from Michigan, who had made much of it herself. Folk art and primitives filled many booths and I loaded up our cart with six sets of Victorian era shutters, a wooden wringer, an early 1900s tool box and four old duck decoys, brought to the show by two gentlemen from Pennsylvania.
The one thing that will repeatedly strike you is that everyone is so friendly and willing to tell you the story behind their wares. Half an hour before the close of the show, I met a dealer from Pennsylvania who was packing up to leave. He stopped what he was doing to tell me how he had purchased the contents an abandoned textile mill and was selling off the old spools and bobbins. After I had made a pile of the spools I liked, he pointed to the only box left and said, “take that one too and I will give them all to you for half price……he didn’t have to ask twice!
The 2015 outside show dates are set for this year are April 18-19, June 21-22 and July 21-22 for the regular Market, which features several hundred dealers. Then on May 15-17 and September 18-20, that number grows to nearly 2,500 vendors for their “Extravaganza” weekends. It is easy to see why the Springfield show has been featured in Country Living Magazine and Martha Stewart Living and is often the backdrop for shows on HGTV. It is impressive, to say the least!
The organizers of the market have provided stands with snacks and cold drinks, as well as an indoor food court with homemade pie, award-winning BBQ, sandwiches and full dinners. Affordable overnight accommodations (I recommend reservations) are only minutes away from the fairgrounds. Make your plans in advance by visiting booking.com.
Now gas up the truck, put on your most comfortable shoes and I will see you in Ohio!! Until next time………Linda
Irvington resident Linda Kennett is a professional liquidation consultant specializing in down-sizing for seniors and the liquidation of estates and may be reached at 317-429-7887 or lkennett@indy.rr.com