Warren County Antiques Fair & Festival to Feature
Free Appraisals, Repair
Experts
Everything about antiques—sales, repairs, appraisals and more Ð is featured at the Warren County Antiques Fair & Festival.
The 6th annual event, which expanded to a full weekend last year and continues to grow, will be held Saturday and Sunday, September 24-25, 2011 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. both days at the Warren County Fairgrounds, Route 519, Harmony Township, New Jersey.
Renowned antiques authority Harry Rinker from the nationally syndicated radio show Whatcha Got? returns after a popular visit last year to once again offer free appraisals throughout the two-day festival.
The show's roster of antiques conservators and repair craftsmen includes Michael Hartnett of the Broken Things Fixed restoration studio in Stanhope, NJ, and John Simone of the Old Time Watch & Clock Shop in Phillipsburg, NJ. Hartnett will receive broken or damaged ceramic items for repair and discuss the care and conservation of antiques and collectibles, while Simone will accept broken timepieces for repair, and display vintage clocks and watches as he meets with attendees to discuss the finer points of collecting.
The Warren County Antiques Fair & Festival also features displays, presentations and lectures. Historic tool authority Bob Garay will display his legendary collection and lecture on early period New Jersey tools, while anthropologist Ivan Raupp, who is dedicated to preserving the ancient art ofblacksmithing, will demonstrate using his open fire Buffalo forge.
Members of the Blue Mountain Antique Gas & Steam Engine Association will provide an extensive display of early 20th Century engines and farm equipment, which they are always happy to discuss with fair-goers.
In addition to the many individual dealers, the show features groups of dealers coming from several antiques co-ops, including Sleepy Hollow Antiques Center of Mount Bethel, PA, and The Bakery Antiques Company, an antiques mall in Benton, PA. While the dealers from Sleepy Hollow are new to the show this year, the 10 dealers from Bakery Antiques joined last yearÕs event and had such a successful weekend they are once again making the drive of more than two hours from Benton to participate.
The rain-or-shine show is unique in that it is virtually "rain-proof," with all dealers moving into the fairgroundsÕ expansive buildings and pavilions if the weather demands it.
Moreover, the scenic fairgrounds location near the Delaware River in Northwest New Jersey is easily accessed from I-78, I-80 and state routes 22, 46 and 57, and is convenient to the New York Ð New Jersey metropolitan area, as well as PennsylvaniaÕs Philadelphia, Bucks County and Lehigh Valley regions.
The fair is featuring musical entertainment by a 1920 Violanta Dutch Street Organ, a fanciful instrument making festive music on mechanically-played reed, string and percussion instruments. The Violanta is sponsored by Water Street Antiques & Bohemian Dreams Antique Emporium, both located inBelvidere, the nearby Warren County seat.
Delicious food is available from the Harmony Lions Club, with food sales supporting Lions Club charities. Also on sale will be cups and cones of the famous ÒJacktownÓ ice cream from PennsylvaniaÕs Slate Belt region, and a fall farmstand with produce and flowers from Maple Grove Farmstand & Garden Center of Harmony Twp., NJ. You can even pick up your Halloween pumpkin while shopping for antiques.
Admission is $8 for ages 13 and up (children 12 and younger admitted free) and a $1 off coupon is available on the showÕs website. Information is available at www.warrencountyantiqueshow.comand on FaceBook, via email at info@warrencountyantiqueshow.com or by calling 908-343-5873. Dealers are still being accepted, and dealer applications can be downloaded on the website.
2010 Fair & Festival A Success!
HARMONY, NJ – The Warren County Antiques Fair & Festival, held September 25-26, 2010, ended the show year on a high note for many dealers. For several years the show had been a local one-day show. This year new promoters expanded it to a two-day show and determined to make it the “show of the season.” They more than succeeded, attracting four times their previous gate and also exceeding their established dealer participation to the degree that they had to open buildings that had never been used by the show in the past.
The show was set up as a reflection of the past and a celebration of days gone by. Walking through the gate was like entering another era with a working blacksmith, antique gas and steam engines up and running, and a stage coach pulled by a team of horses ready for action.
“The entire ambiance of the show is different” stated one dealer and indeed it was with free appraisals, craft demonstrations, repair experts, lectures by masters in their field, unique entertainment, and homemade food. The variety of the dealers was impressive; it had everything from high end 18th to early 20th Century English, Continental and American antiques to country collectibles, trading cards, tools, books, vintage jewelry, and Americana of every description.
Harry Rinker from the nationally syndicated radio broadcast “Whatcha Got?” was present both days to do free appraisals of items attendees brought from home. According to Rinker, “I usually bring a book to read during the down time when I appraise at a show, but I was busy for two straight days without a break.” Rinker’s tent was never empty and had as many as 40 people waiting to hear what their treasures were worth. Frank Dennis from Dennis Auction Service was asked to step into the appraisal tent with Rinker to lighten the heavy load.
Michael Hartnett from “Broken Things Fixed” described his success at the show as “extraordinary, and I am still getting calls a week after.” He also had a continual line and was busy all day both days as was Wade Nulton, who repaired broken crystal for attendees as they waited. The Old Time Watch & Clock Shop did so well they are making plans to expand for next year’s show.
Blacksmith Ivan Raupp gave demonstrations of the ancient art of blacksmithing and sold his wares consistently throughout the two-day event. Raupp, a legend in his field, invited an enthusiastic attendee to take a hand at blacksmithing on the Buffalo forge. Wood-turner Brad Shears, who sells his hand turned wooden bowls and unique decorative items, had people waiting at his booth one half-hour before closing on Sunday and sold more that he had the entire season. Bob Garay, noted authority on antique tools, brought a massive collection of rare and early tools. “This is great, I’m coming again next year with my club,” stated Garay, who is president of Crafts, a 450-member New Jersey antique tool club. David Lowe had a large display of impressive tobacco cards and will be returning next year with a wide selection from his collection of 250,000 vintage cards.
It was the first year at the show for William H. Lorne Antiques, Manchester, CT, who deals in fine furniture and china. Bill Lorne’s impression? “Great space, great place, this show has it all,” he remarked. Anne-Marie Farley, proprietor of Water Street Antiques and Bohemian Dreams Antiques Emporium, was not able to be at the show but did well through her information booth. “I have had many calls from people who wanted to buy the things I displayed at the booth and many hits on my website,” she said. One week later she was still getting customers through her information booth. Farley also sponsored the Violanta Dutch Street Organ, which was a festive aspect of the entertainment portion of the fair.
There was something for everyone at this show. Visitors from ages eight to eighty enjoyed a ride in an authentic Wells Fargo Stage Coach. The 1850 US Mail coach was accompanied by Western attired armed and galloping outriders, which added to the adventure. Civil War musicians Wilkins and Winch entertained in period costume and played the long forgotten rhythm bones. The Lehigh Valley Cloggers danced and paraded the American flag and the Blue Mountain Antique Gas & Steam Engine Assocation was on hand with a large display of early American machines. Radio station 99.9 The Hawk broadcasted the events on site from the showground.
The attraction of the show was undeniable. Committee members took phone calls from New Yorkers wanting directions to the fairgrounds. Warren County Antiques Fair & Festival may have been a local show in the past but by anybody’s standard it was an enjoyable and successful weekend that defied the odds and gave pleasure to all who attended. When a show committee executive was asked to comment on the unprecedented success of this year’s show he stated, “We have just begun.”
More about last year's show (pdf)
| Vendor Press Release (2010) | Visitor Press Release (2010 | |