Brimfield Antique Show : Brimfield MA 5/10-15

 

It's Brimfield time baby!  Browse my archives and you will quickly find I am a Brimfield junkie (snarky play on words).  Don't let the name scare you.  The Brimfield Antique Show is a whole lotta everything.  Antiques?  Yes.  Flea Market?  Yes.  Junk?  Yes.  Fried Dough?  Yes.  Miles and miles of vintage splendor?  Yes, Yes, Yes, Yes.  It's everything my heart desires and more.

I've been going to Brimfield religiously for about 11 years now and have learned a lot along the way.  My first visit there was mind-blowing and a bit disappointing at the same time.  Much of it seemed more "Flea Market" than Antique Show to me and that was not what I anticipated.  After going for so many years I have now gotten much of it sorted out.  I have my favorite parking spots, favorite times to attend and of course favorite vendors and favorite fields.

Brimfield is huge to say the least, though that shouldn't detract you if you are a newbie.  You can only do what you can do and rest assured there will be another.  Brimfield happens 3 times a year.  I go to all three, but to each his own.

This years dates are May 10-15, July 12-17 and Sept 6-11. 

For the may show I'll go Thursday, spend the night and leave Friday afternoon.  From Boston you absolutely can do a turn around day trip.  It's truly only about a 50 minute drive from The Hub.  I find that spending the night just makes the whole experience so much more fabulous - I do hate to be rushed.  Departing traffic can be out of this world.  Brimfield is on a bit of a peninsula for lack of a better term.  There is one way in and one way out.  No chance of an alternate route and too many times I have been in a mad sweat, cell phone in hand trying to find someone to pick up my kids.  If you don't need to rush back it's great to just commit to stay late.  The place starts to clear out around 3:00.  Most vendors sleep in their booths so there really is no closing time.  The twilight can be quite calm and charming.

Accommodations are tricky.  If you don't have something booked already, good luck.  My Brimfield companion and I are staying in our favorite flea bag hotel.  It's disgusting, but does the trick.

So what is Brimfield like really?  It's so hard to tell from the low budget website.  Here is a primer:

Here is  a little map of where I avoid some traffic, score good parking and take advantage of the best port-a-potties at brimmy:

On this map - every place you see a little black arrow - that is a "field".  Don't let the scale of this map mislead you.  Each field (black arrow) has it's own name and is operated independently.  They each have their own flavor.  Some charge admittance, some pride themselves in a certain theme.  For example.  Here is a  detailed map of just one of the little arrows from the overall map above:

This is "Heart O the Mart" each tiny little rectangle is a vendor.......and this is one field of over 20 total.  Each field is the size of a football field or bigger and PACKED with individual vendors.  It can be overwhelming to say the least. 

Here's a little list of what you may need to know:

Pack for the weather (it can be cold and rainy and hot searing sun) - come prepared for drastic changes in weather.

You need wheels.  Take a wagon, a luggage rack a wheelie cart (this is what I have & LOVE IT).  There is NO WAY to survive without one, if you intend to acquire anything.  Vendors will let you pay and pick up.  You can pay for a larger or heavy item then return with your car after the show and pick it up.  Most booths can be driven to after the show clears out. 

Bring cash!  I set a pre-show budget and bring that much with me.  I have rarely, probably never, spent as much as I have allotted.

Never pay the price marked - unless you want to.  Sometimes I feel like bargaining, sometimes not.  Most vendors will come down a little - especially if you are getting a few things.

I don't pack lunch - there is too much stuff to lug already, go ahead and indulge in the food vendors some are actually quite good!  Most all of the food vendors are in one field smack in the middle of the show.

Don't walk away from something you like.  You WON'T make it back to that field and booth again.  I have learned this the hard way.  Shopping at Brimmy is NOT like shopping at the mall.  You can't go back and even if you could, chances are what you want won't be there.

Don't expect (even if staying overnight) to see the whole thing.  There are many fields I have never been to and, like I mentioned I have been going for over 10 years.  It's too big to do the whole thing.

Think about what you need beforehand and measure!  If you need a painting make sure to measure where it's going to go.  If you need a bookshelf measure the space!  I have a note book that always goes with me that has the measurement of every wall, nook and cranny in my house - YOU NEVER KNOW WHAT YOU MAY FIND!

On that note - I rarely find what I am looking for - go with an open mind to find what you didn't know you wanted!

Don't be sad if you buy nothing, this happened to me often in the beginning - it's just a rookie thing.

Go with friends who you don't need to babysit.  I go with people who can be independent.  You are going to get separated and you'll eventually meet back up (maybe only upon leaving) that is what cell phones are for.  There is no time to waste.  

 

Lots of people ask to go to Brimfield with me and to that flattering request I say this:

1.) I drive my pickup brimfield truck and can't waste precious space on humans.

2.) I'll be there Thurs & Fri come on down!  Hope to see you there! You have my cell # right?

3.)  I did a great blog post that shows you the best place to park & the best place to pee! 

 

Finally, I am sad I don't have many good photos of brimmy.  Many vendors don't allow photos and while I always take my camera I am usually a bit too preoccupied to use it.

here's a couple from my last visit to peak your interest:  Not your style?  Don't fret this is one vendor in preverbial 1000's.

 

I found this great FLICKR photostream from DesignBoston of all Brimfield photos and finds. If this doesn't make you wanna go......Two weeks and counting - I can hardly stand it!

Comments

[Barefoot Liz]

I wish I had a vehicle big enough to fit furniture in. I'm on the lookout for a round pedestal table (dining) and also some bedside tables. But then, the last time I bought real wood furniture from a stranger, it had mold growing in the drawers. Yuck.

[Kelly]

wish I could go with you! btw, I have ALOT of Brimfield photos the last time I went with you and some of you in them... will try to get them to you at some point... have fun!