BRIMFIELD — Since 1965, the Brimfield Antique and Flea Market has been recognized as largest and most vibrant outdoor antiques event in the country and will be returning from Tuesday, Sept. 3, to Sunday, Sept. 8.
The event spans over 150 acres of vendors, 20 plus shopping fields, food trucks and more.
It is an event you can spend multiple days at and still discover something new and unique, according to Brimfield Antique Shows LLC CEO and Hertan’s field Owner Klia Ververidis.
She added, “There are 20 individually owned and operated shows and each one opens at a different day, different time. Some of them are only one-day shows, some of them are five-day shows so it’s really a neat, sort of unique thing. If you can’t come for the whole week, any day that you come you’ll be able to find plenty of fields open and lots of vendors.”
Most fields do not charge, but some larger shows do have an “opening new field” gate charge of $5 to $10.
Paying options depends on the vendor and situation. Some are cash-only, while others take Venmo and some will have credit card readers.
Parking is cash only, so you will at least want to have enough cash on hand to park. There are also a handful of ATMs on site and plenty of food trucks.
Each vendor and field as a different schedule so Ververidis said the best place to find the official schedule and information is at www.brimfieldantiqueweek.com.
Ververidis talked about the upcoming antique show on her field.
She said, “We’re gearing up for a pretty busy show. Our field is completely sold out at this point, and I think we’re going to have a good turnout for the buyers as well. For us that’s 250 spaces.”
There are three shows that take place in Brimfield each year with September being one of the busier ones, according to Ververidis.
“Generally speaking, we have the three shows, May, July, September and the May and September show are generally the busiest of the shows and we can generally expect anywhere between 30,000 to 50,000 people coming through,” she added.
Besides being a great place for guests to enjoy and shop, the antique show can help the overall economy of Brimfield.
Ververidis said, “It definitely has a big economic boost to both Brimfield and the surround towns. People that come in, they’re staying at hotels, they’re eating at restaurants, they’re checking out all the other antique stores, even people who aren’t necessarily set up at the show. There’s just a residual boost and all of New England really come up for the show and may stay multiple weeks.”
Last year, the Brimfield Show Promoters Association received a MOT tourism grant which shows that the state recognizes the show has a big impact on the local and state economies.
The current website was built with funds from the state grant.
Ververidis has a message for anyone who has not been to the antique show before.
She said, “For anyone who is interested in antique and vintage stuff, Brimfield is really like the mecca for that. In the whole country, of course this is the show that all the dealers and shoppers have on their bucket so for one thing we tend to have a nice variety of stuff so there are true antiques but you also find mid-century, things that decorators are looking for. We have a lot of vintage clothes which is super, super hot right now and is one area that is bringing a lot of younger people into the antique world.”
Besides having cool antique items to sell, Ververidis said there are a lot of different things taking place on each field including her own.
For example, on Thursday there will be a big auction for the public and a fashion event on Tuesday for some sneak peeks of what will be for sale.
Friday will feature an “Alice in Wonderland” themed party with music and food. Saturday will feature a talent show and a second show called Weekend Warriors for people who work during the week and can see it on Saturday and Sunday.
Ververidis said this show is something she and other vendors look forward to each year.
She added, “It is definitely the mecca for antique world so the dealers they get to sell their inventory, they get to mingle with other vendors and create long lasting friendships and relationships with people. For the vendors especially, it’s like a lifestyle. Coming to Brimfield, it’s more than just selling stuff, it’s kind of like summer camp for antique dealers, they come three times a year and meet other vendors that only see at the shows and it’s really a lot of fun. Even more than the money, if you interview vendors a lot of them will tell you that they would come even if they didn’t sell anything. It’s a lifestyle.”
