Brimfield Antiques and Collectibles Show

Brimfield Antique Show

Depending on when you read this, there still might be time to catch the Brimfield Antiques and Collectibles Show, which runs from July 12 to July 17. If not, don’t despair. There will be another chance to peruse this extravaganza when the fair—the largest outdoor gathering of antique and collectible dealers in the country—returns on September 6 and continues through September 11.

If you’re a devotee of Brimfield Antiques and Collectibles Show, chances are you know that the fifty-seven-year-old fair boasts about 6,000 dealers spread across twenty different shows that span the many fields lining Route 20.
You probably also know that, given the sheer volume of stuff and the fact that fields open and close at various times, you might want to visit more than once during the week the fair is open. Wearing comfortable shoes and slathering on sunscreen makes common sense. And, as the lines at the food stands are long, packing a healthy lunch and plenty of snacks is a good option (though to bypass Faddy’s doughnuts—especially the apple cider ones—would be a huge mistake). As for tape measures and shopping carts, don’t leave home without them.

Justine and Alejandra, who joined us for their first foray to Brimfield in May, had a few helpful observations of their own. Bring as much cash as your budget allows; it helps the negotiating process, which, much to their own surprise, they entered into with gusto.
Have a game plan. The fields are a hodgepodge of aisles, and without one we’d have been walking in circles asking, “Didn’t we just see Fiestaware?”

Unlike most shopping trips, this one doesn’t require a list. Instead, Justine and Alejandra suggest leaving yourself open to the impulse buy. Otherwise they might never have scored that set of eight copper mugs (perfect for Moscow Mules), a vintage Dansk Kobenstyle pot, and a white enamel pitcher, while still having money left over for a dozen of those aforementioned doughnuts, which their hosts enjoyed immensely.

For a list of vendors, show hours, and directions, visit brimfieldshow.org.