An Insider’s Guide to the Brimfield Antique Show

I overheard snippets of conversation in Spanish and Russian, and English drenched in accents British, Bostonian, and Brooklyn. Those looking to spruce up a home or office come from far and wide to check out the eclectic items at the Brimfield Show – the largest outdoor antiques and collectibles show in the world. It attracts about 6,000 dealers and 100,000 visitors, a combination of professional collectors and flea market enthusiasts. The show takes place three times a year for about a week each May, July, and September in rural western Massachusetts near Sturbridge. Brimfield is a small and tranquil town, except during the shows when outsiders pour in with their carts, wagons, and knapsacks.

The weather was cold and damp during most of this May’s show. I was glad that I had dressed in layers, beginning with a base of long johns and topping off with a rain hat and sturdy boots. It’s a testament to the good mood that prevails at Brimfield that inhospitable conditions didn’t dent the shoppers’ enthusiasm.

Items run the gamut from fine antiques and reproductions to boxfuls of hardware odds and ends: furniture, glassware, linens, garden tools, jewelry, vintage clothing, plants, mid-century lighting, signage, historical postcards, tie-dyed blankets, old toys, wood carvings, needlepoint shoes, beer-garden tables, canoes, croquet sets, and much more. Whether your style veers toward elegant or whimsical, you’re likely to find a little, or a lot, to pique interest. Prices and quality vary a great deal.

The Brimfield Show is comprised of 23 adjoining fields which stretch for a mile on both sides of the main road that cuts through town (Route 20). Each field is literally a large grassy – or muddy – patch of land that is owned by a promoter who leases space to vendors. There’s no particular rhyme or reason to what you might find where, increasing the thrill of the hunt. The exception to this is that dealers selling old postcards and paper ephemera are mainly clustered at the western end of the show inside a red building which protects their delicate merchandise.

 

Not all fields are open every day. Occasionally dealers will move from one field to another on different days of the show. There’s no admission charge for most fields, but several “premium” ones charge an entrance fee on their opening day. That’s usually where the professional buyers go first. In my experience, however, it’s easy to see and buy plenty without paying admissions fees.

There’s no telling what might catch your fancy. These pencils kept me intrigued for an inordinate amount of time. I kept toying with ideas for what I could do with a bunch of colorful pencils embossed with shiny advertisements for small businesses that have probably been erased by now.

Hardcore Brimmies arrive near sunrise to be among the first to enter their field of choice on its opening day. For those who aren’t that hardcore, there’s no need to fret. Ample merchandise and a dizzying array of vendors every day of the show offer enough variety to satisfy most shoppers’ curiosity and test their endurance. Follow your nose. Buy what you like and WHEN you find it in order to avoid a sinking feeling later.

Among my purchases were a cart with wheels that I put to use immediately, a pair of candle holders, and hand-decorated plates in a desert rose pattern.

Vendors selling collectables are knowledgeable about their wares. There’s no pressure to buy. Most are willing to negotiate on the prices. You might shave 10-20% off the asking price. Be kind. Remember, the vendors are there to make money.

Those who follow me regularly know that I always recommend asking for permission before taking photos. Most vendors at Brimfield are inured to shoppers taking photos of their merchandise. But that doesn’t mean that they like it. Vendors appreciate it when they’re asked permission as a courtesy.  

I’ve written other posts with tips for shopping at flea markets (scroll down for links). However, these are my suggestions that are specific to the Brimfield Show:

• Plan your trip for a weekday if possible. Brimfield gets crowded during weekends.
• Stop along the way to use a toilet before arriving at the show. There are porta-potties in fields but rarely close enough when needed. Bring hand sanitizer.
• Bring cash. ATM machines are few and far between. Having cash will improve your negotiating leverage.
• Parking costs $5-10. Several of the show fields offer parking. The ones conveniently located in the mid-section fill quickly. Nearby residents also rent out spaces on their property.
• If buying a quantity of items, such as a set of plates, count your purchases before you depart the stall. I got caught up in conversation and ended up one item short of what I’d paid for. This was my mistake, not the vendor’s.
• Individual sellers don’t provide on-site shipping, but it’s possible to arrange for shipping elsewhere. There’s a UPS/FedEx outlet at Brimfield Acres North, for example, and a post office at the east end of town. Before purchasing a large item, ask the dealer about shipping options.
• If you want to stay overnight, make lodging reservations well in advance. Here’s a list. It’s also advisable to make reservations for dinner.
• As tempting as it is, don’t bring your dog. Pets are strongly discouraged and for good reason. This show gets crowded and can be hot, making it uncomfortable and unsafe for pets. Additionally, some field promoters prohibit entrance to anyone with a pet.
• The greatest concentration of food vendors, along with limited seating, is at the New England Motel field, located near the middle of the show. Expect a lot of greasy “fair” food. For fresh and tasty options, I recommend the Pilgrim Sandwich food truck across the road. 
• Be prepared to do a lot of walking. Wear sturdy and comfortable shoes. Bring water to stay hydrated. If you find a vendor that you want to return to later, jot down the specific field name and booth number where the vendor is located. It can be difficult to retrace your steps.
• Bring a cart or a stroller to avoid having to carry purchases a long distance. Or buy a cart at the show for roughly $35, as long as supplies last.
• All of the Brimfield shows are good, but the May run has a reputation for the biggest selection. Most sellers have been collecting throughout the winter to ramp up for the season.

• Mark your calendar. Upcoming 2019 dates for Brimfield’s Antiques Show are July 9-14 and September 3-8. The exact dates vary year to year. For details, including a schedule and field map, visit the Brimfield Show website.

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