Wednesday, December 20, 2017

Antique Faire a perennial treat

The Niles Main Street Association is proud to sponsor the upcoming 53rd Annual Niles Antique Faire. This community event plays host to thousands of antique aficionados and collectors looking for everything from furniture to jewelry, housewares to vintage tools, artwork to antique auto parts, and much, much more.

Early risers can enjoy $5 pancake breakfasts cooked up by the Lions Club starting at 4 a.m. next to the green Merchants Association train car. They’ll need that energy to seek out the elusive bargain or perfect addition to a collection from hundreds of vendors and family garage sales, since the entire neighborhood east of the main thoroughfare joins in the fun, setting up their own garage sales, tables, refreshment stands, and more. Vendors will be setting up between 2 a.m. and 4:30 a.m. so bring your flashlight if you want a preview. Many of the families in the area start their own sales on Saturday.

Head organizer for the past ten years, Keith Elrod (of Keith’s Collectibles) notes that the event is more than an antique show, it’s a family event. Many similar events, such as that San Juan Bautista have been going since the sixties. “There are three or four more in the area of about the same age,” says Elrod. “Somewhere in the past people just though it would be a good idea to put on community antique shows.”

“We work closely with the police and fire departments to make sure this is a safe event,” Elrod notes. Moreover, “it’s a good moneymaker for the Boy Scouts who handle the parking.”

Estimated attendance has topped 50,000 in the past, which is certainly good for the vendors, but crowds and high temperatures mean pets should stay at home. Do bring your appetite, as there will be a variety of food vendors. Kiwanis is expected to be on hand with their delicious linguica plates.

Tastes in collecting are definitely changing. Even as a new generation discovers the joy of collecting and treasuring the past, values are constantly fluctuating. Part of what makes antiquing and collecting fun is guessing what the next big trend will be and finding the perfect examples that will be valuable in the future. Traditional collectors try to complete or extend the collections they already have, while others enjoy the nostalgia of reconnecting with the things they knew as kids. Toys and sports memorabilia, for instance, continue to hold their own. Furthermore, as antique dealers retire, the overall content of the antique and collectible market evolves.

Not to be left out of the collectors market are new arts and crafts being produced by extraordinarily talented local artists and artisans. Additionally, the stores and restaurants that regular Niles visitors love will be open, as well. Besides antiques, faire-goers can expect to find jewelry, plants, garden items and more. Whatever you enjoy collecting, it’s almost sure to be found in Niles this weekend.

Niles Antique Faire and Flea Market
Sunday, Aug 26, 2017
6 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Historic Niles District
http://www.niles.org/antique-faire/
(510) 742-9868

Free

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