#Brimfield #Antiques #Flea #Market #Beginners #WorthPoint
It’s that time of year again. The snow is mostly gone from the fields along Route 20, residents with room to spare are getting ready to open their yards for parking, and the dealers are loading up their treasures for the 2024 Brimfield Antiques Flea Market. It’s the oldest outdoor antiques flea market in the United States, and the first show of the 2024 season kicks off on May 14, promising something for any collector or vintage fan.
I’ve always wanted to go, but I had no idea what to expect last year when I went for the first time. What I found was a whole world of experts, collectors, vintage pieces, and even a few fabulous finds at bargain prices. It was as if someone had scattered artwork, furniture, crystal, and porcelain from the entire 20th century (and a few bits of the 18th and 19th centuries) across acres of green fields. Instead of amber waves of grain or corn as high as an elephant’s eye, it was an endless crop of collector’s items.
PLAN FIRST
The Brimfield flea is not something to just show up at with no plan. It’s vast, but fortunately, the website has maps of each field. Last year, as a newbie, I didn’t realize I’d only been through one field. I parked near Hertan’s, and after spending most of the morning in that field, I thought I’d seen it all. I heard that old ad in my head, “But wait, there’s more!” Bring a map.
Timing is crucial if you want to make the most of your trip. Repeat visitors, as well as dealers and pickers, usually arrive at dawn on the first day. After all, the early bird catches the uranium glass, right? Another benefit of getting there early on day one is that other shoppers haven’t already picked everything over.
Many dealers that go to the show have inventory they’ve picked specifically for the shoppers at Brimfield. Especially with niche items, like vintage typewriters, being there early on day one means you have more to choose from, whatever your particular interests.
Since the show only happens three times a year, packing up items that don’t sell and carrying that inventory is expensive. Some attendees will leverage that and go towards the end of the show. Selection might be smaller, but then again, you could find a bargain because a dealer doesn’t want to pack up a piece they’ve been carrying for a while.
What is trending right now, and what might collectors want to look for at the show? Everything. The show is so large and comprehensive that no genre or style could dominate it.
THE RIGHT STUFF
No one goes to Brimfield to just “stop in for a quick look.” It can be a days-long event for dedicated shoppers, so having the basics with you is essential.
Clothing: It’s important to know that most of the show is outdoors, in fields. It can be sloppy if it rains (and it will, at least once during every show week). Keep a close eye on the weather and bring layers. While May and July are warmer, the show is in New England, and spring can come a bit later than in other parts of the country. In the fall, afternoons can be sunny but a bit cold. Comfortable shoes are a must; the fields are uneven, and there are few paved walkways, but instead dirt paths and grassy ground.
Wagons Ho: Something to cart your finds around is also a good idea. Most experienced Brimfielders have a large-wheeled collapsible wagon for the bits and pieces of décor, housewares, or other portable purchases. For more oversized items, like sofas or dining room sets, some dealers can arrange delivery, and some fields at Brimfield have porters available. The fees can vary, but getting an item to your vehicle is usually reasonable.
Hydrate: Most fields have very little shade, and days get long. Water is vital. There are some food and beverage vendors at the show, but having your snacks and beverages is much more efficient.
Cash Is King: With the advent of mobile payment services like Venmo and Zelle, it’s becoming more common for even small sellers to take cards or make automated payments. However, bargaining power always increases if a buyer can pay cash. While Brimfield is very safe, be aware of your surroundings and keep cash and your cell phone on your person to avoid it falling out of a wagon or getting lost.
Tools of the Trade: A small belt bag can hold everything a shopper could need, like a measuring tape, a multi-tool with screwdrivers, scissors, and pliers, a notebook with a pen or pencil, and room for a power bank to charge your phone. Something that will add no weight to your bag is WorthPoint on the Go! Available for Apple or Android devices, the WorthPoint app can search among the more than two billion images in the WorthPoint Price Guide with one quick snap, allowing users to quickly find antiques and collectibles and comps for values.
LEARNING FROM OTHERS
If you’ve never been to Brimfield, the websites and maps are helpful, but there’s nothing like the voice of experience. I went last year for the first time and deliberately did not do much research before going so I could take it all in. I don’t recommend this. My head was on a constant swivel, and even though I spent nine hours there, I still missed a lot.
WorthPoint spoke to Jenn Schaeffner, a fan and collector of mid-century modern art and décor. She hits the show every year and gives this advice to anyone planning a trip. “I have been going for several years. It’s big! You cannot see every vendor in one day. But there is every type of vintage and antique item you can imagine: furniture, clothes, electronics, housewares, books, toys, and knickknacks. There is some ‘flea market’ stuff that is non-vintage or antique but just inexpensive ‘stuff.’ You have to have stamina, cash, a wagon to carry your purchases, and water!”
Brimfield will always be a premier event for dealers, pickers, and fans of antiques and vintage items. Going is an experience like no other, but with a bit of planning and preparation, it can be magical.
Brenda Kelley Kim lives in the Boston area. She is the author of Sink or Swim: Tales From the Deep End of Everywhere and writes a weekly syndicated column for The Marblehead Weekly News/Essex Media Group. When not writing or walking her snorty pug, Penny, she enjoys yard sales, flea markets, and badminton.
WorthPoint—Discover. Value. Preserve.
