Massachusetts
10 Tips for Surviving the Brimfield Antique Show
The Brimfield Antique Show is the largest of its kind in the country. Taking it in for the first time? These 10 Brimfield survival tips are here to help.
By Cynthia Bogart|Apr 14 2020|
Coffee By Design | Portland, Maine
Photo Credit : Katherine Keenan2020 Brimfield Antique Show Dates
May Show – Cancelled due to Covid-19
July 14-19, 2020
Sept 8-13, 2020
Photo Credit : Aimee Tucker
10 Tips for Surviving the Brimfield Antique Show
Brimfield Parking
Arrive bright and early. Parking is hard to get at the Brimfield Antique Show and you want to get close to the show grounds so you won’t have to haul your loot miles to your car later.Make Your Brimfield Shopping List
Have an idea of what you are looking to buy. DON’T stop at every booth. Learn to assess quickly to see if they have what you are looking for and if they don’t, smile and move on. Stay true to your list or you won’t get out of the first field you enter. Remember, there are 12 of them.Can You Haggle at Brimfield?
Yes. Dealers expect to negotiate. Don’t insult them, be reasonable, but don’t pay the listed amount right off the bat.Shipping Large Items from Brimfield
The Brimfield Antique Show a big show, so make sure you bring a vehicle large enough to cart all your goodies home. If you know you are looking for large items such as furniture, check on shipping options with the dealer before you hand over your money, or come back with a U-Haul the next day. Here’s the good news – there is a UPS and FED EX dealer located in the Brimfield Acres North field. There are porters that will help you take your large items there or to your car.Bring Your Brimfield Shopping Cart
Bring something to carry all of your purchases. Big tote bags or wire shopping carts – the ones your grandmothers used for shopping day – are the best idea. You can buy them at places like Target, Amazon, or Walmart, in person or online.What to Wear to Brimfield
Wear comfy clothes and walking shoes, and appropriate weather gear, including a rain poncho or sun hat. Be comfortable! The Brimfield Antique Show is not a fashion show.What to Bring to Brimfield
Bring your cell phone/charger, calculator, notebook and business or contact cards to hand out. Use a fanny pack for maximum efficiency. I know it’s probably not your look, but it will free your hands up and keep your valuables safe.Food at Brimfield
Pack water and food if you’d like, but the Brimfield Antique Show is home to an assortment of food trucks and concession stands that range from traditional to gourmet. You will certainly not starve.Brimfield Rain Woes
Do not let the rain deter you! This is the best time to shop. The crowds are smaller and the dealers are willing to come down on their prices, especially if it is toward the end of the week.Learn from the Brimfield Pros
Treat your time at the Brimfield Antique Show as a learning experience. Pick the brains of the dealers. They are fantastic teachers and filled with information you might never find in a classroom, book, TV show, or online. People become experts by learning from the experts. And above all…have fun!What You Can Find at the Brimfield Antique Show:
American Pottery; Americana; Architectural & Garden Items; Art & Paintings; Baskets, Books & Manuscripts; Bottles; Buttons & Smalls; Cast Iron; Children’s Items; Civil War Memorabilia; Clocks & Watches; Coins; Comics; Costume Jewelry; Deco & Decorative Arts; Decoys; Dolls; Fiesta Ware & Depression Glass; Fishing & Sports Items; Flow Blue, Majolica, Staffordshire, Stoneware and Yelloware China; Folk Art; Country, English, Oak, Painted and Victorian Furniture; Games & Toys & Trains; Glass & China & Crystal; Guns & Arms; Hats; Kitchen Items; Jewelry; Lighting; Lithographs; Maps; Marbles; Marine & Nautical Items; Medical Items; Memorabilia; Musical Items; Optical Oriental Items; Paper; Pewter; Postcards; Primitives; Porcelain; Quilts; Radios & Phonographs; Oriental & Indian Rugs; Sterling and Plate Silver; Tools; Victorian Items; Vintage Clothing; Vintage Textiles. For more information on the Brimfield Antique Show, visit brimfieldantiquefleamarket.com This post was first published in 2015 and has been updated.SEE MORE: Opening Day at the Brimfield Antique Show Best Towns for Antiquing in New England The Fixers | A Guide to New England Antique Repair Experts
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Massachusetts
Ian Aldrich
I have been many times and used these hints. good memories of New England
I love your hints,ideas, pictures, everything. You make it possible for me to travel around New England from my chair. I used to “throw a dart at the map” and say let’s go. Now you do the driving for me. Thank you for bringing back the memories.
Or bring your own food.
We hope to be coming in Septemberand have never been. We will be pulling a large trailer. Is there place for us to park with trailer and how do we get large pieces to our trailer? We are coming from NC.
As I was building my cottage at Bear Island, a mosey neighbor asked where I was buying my furniture. Pottery Barn, restoration hardware? Pier One? No I said, the Brimfield Flea Markets.
great tips. I would also recommend a bag of chucks, those flat diaper underpads, because if you are pulling a cart, etc, you don’t want items to rub one another. And you can re-use them dozens of times. Put both a magnifying glass and a tape measure in a small cosmetic bag in you pocket or purse. And PLEASE do not stand in our booths on your phones blocking the aisle. thanks.
I’m from this area .. def come a few hrs before they open .. u will be stuck in traffic if using the pike and also b ware of the long lines on rte 20 get there early to have breakfast at a local spot ..all the towns surrounding this event are waiting for you best get there hours and I mean hours early ..vendors get there around 4-5am that’s when unwanted to be there for parking go to the crackerbarrell for breakfast and eat a good meal if your there all day you will wish u did eat first ..lots of vendors with great food but save your money for the shopping this area and surrounding areas has all of restaurants and shopping in Sturbridge as well as Yankee candle Mcds , yankee spirits Sturbridge village etc these will all be full of tourists visiting this Event and trust me when I Say Packed and being stuck in Traffick on the Masspike or Route 20 is NOT Fun especially if your a resident jus trying to avoid it and do local errands near this event .. always bring extra clothes for all season weather as well .. could rain or be 35 degrees or end up being 95 .. we never know about our weather here very unpredictable.. Hope I’ve helped ..I hope you have a great Experience..
We attended the final day in July, Sunday. Not crowded and weather was very warm but manageable. Following other recommendations, wear comfortable shoes, appropriate clothing, hats are a must – there is no shade. Bring cash! ATMs are inconvenient and cost $$$. Bring your own sturdy bags – the happiest shoppers have lightweight carts with wheels. It is not convenient to plan to take things back to the car. Parking areas are some distance when you are already trying to cover as much territory as possible. Bring water. Wear sunglasses, but bring regular ones in order to see inside tents and buildings. There is NO place to sit except for lunch. If you may need a rest, bring a portable cane-type stool, maybe. The Brimfield app may help you locate something you are seeking, but it has far to go to be really organized. This is not a place you can see in a day or two.
I am hoping to buy furniture for a house in Maine, but will be coming from NY. What is the best way to transport the furniture?