Vintage treasures, unique home decor, antiques, primitives, project pieces for repainting and salvage for repurposing, it’s all in one place and just a 2 1/2 hour drive from Indy.
Now in it’s 28th 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?
With so many markets and shows to choose from in our area, why would you take the time to drive to Ohio? Unlike many flea markets, you will find no “big box store” or “made in China” merchandise here. As you walk among the booths your are surrounded by one-of-a-kind hand picked items, and at prices you can afford.
This is truly a collectors paradise, with something for every member of the family. Knives, books, coins, antique toys, fishing poles and lures and sports memorabilia of every kind abound. Impressive collections of porcelain, china, glassware and pottery fill the large indoor pavilion. And for you gardening enthusiasts, there are several large displays of concrete statues, bird baths and fountains and a nice selection of wire ware and wooden garden benches.
Furniture, hard find at many outdoor shows, is in ample supply. 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 my 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 strike you is how friendly the vendors are. Half an hour before the close of the show, I met a dealer from Cleveland who was packing up to leave. He stopped what he was doing to tell me how he had purchased the contents of 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 2016 outside show dates for this summer are; June 18th and 19th and August 20th and 21 for the regular Market, which features several hundred dealers. On May 20-22 and September 16-18, that number grows to nearly 2,000 vendors for their “Extravaganza” weekends. Hours are Friday 7 a.m.-6 p.m.; Saturday 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.; Sunday 9 a.m. to 4 p.m
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 www.hotelplanner.com/ Ohio.
Now, gas up the truck, put on your most comfortable shoes and I will see you in Ohio!! Until next time . . . Linda
Linda Kennett is a professional liquidation consultant specializing in down-sizing for seniors and the liquidation of estates and may be reached at 317-258-7835 or lkennett@indy.rr.com