Countdown begins to Antiques Fair weekend

Time is almost here to race to the much-loved Strathalbyn Antiques and Collectables Fair and hunt through one-of-a-kind and unique pieces.

The biggest antique event in South Australia drew huge crowds last year of about 3500 across the venues, with many travelling from interstate or overseas to visit for the day or weekend.

The 32nd Strathalbyn Tourism Association event on August 19th from 10am to 5pm and 20th from 10am to 4pm, will be held across Carruthers Hall, the Town Hall and Gilbert’s Motor Museum for $10 entry per day with accompanied children under 12 free, which includes a connecting wheelchair accessible bus between Gilbert’s Motor Museum and Carruthers Hall. There will be a special staging of the monthly market in Gilbert’s Motor Museum carpark.

The Rotary Club of Strathalbyn is running the popular Sunday Treasure Market at Strathalbyn Oval from 7.30am, with $2 entry and accompanied U16 free.

Publicist, Donna Brandon-Brown said more than 30 dealers will be selling “everything you can imagine” at the halls including period pieces, retro items and exclusive antiques suitable for the home, office or garden.

“A lot of our dealers save up and source things through the year so they can bring them to us,” she said.

“Come down with an open mind because you genuinely don’t know what you’re going to find – you might find something you didn’t even know you were looking for.”

Convenor, Linda McLoughlin describes the Strathalbyn Antiques and Collectables Fair as a “big day out” which is suitable for shoppers and collectors of all ages.

She loves antique items as they are unique pieces with history and a story to tell, rather than being mass produced or cheaply made.

“It’s good to come along with an open mind, you don’t know what you’ll find and you don’t know what you’ll fall in love with without expecting to,” she said.

“All the local shops will be open with bells on – they all gear up for the fair, they all look forward to an influx of people.”

Next weekend, regular shoppers can expect to see several new dealers along with previous traders.

“In the world of antiques and collectables, things constantly change,” Ms McLoughlin said.

“One thing is sold and goes to a new home and is replaced with something different, so even though some of your favourite dealers are coming along, they’re going to have a different selection to choose from.”

For further information, visit (strathalbyntourismassoc.org.au) or (antiques@strathtourism.org.au), or contact 0427 674 620.