Wilton High School Field House Transformed for Antiques Market

Written by Leslie Yager
Every time I venture to an antiques fair or market, there seems to be an unofficial theme.

Maybe it's just me. But, recently at Harwinton Fair Grounds, the unofficial theme seemed to be lightning rods and hand-hooked rugs.

One year, at Brimfield, a mecca for collectors and dealers, there was an abundance of antique pedal cars and architectural salvage. Another year at Brimfield, everywhere I turned there were vintage metal lawn sprinklers and bark cloth pillows.

At Sunday's Wilton Fall Antiques Market, held inside Wilton High School's  field house, there seemed to be an abundance of antique Persian rugs and vintage signage. I loved it! 

I knew my eyes were in for a treat when we pulled into the parking lot and found it full. Inside the field house, legions of curious browsers shuffled along the aisles, mesmerized.

The market, produced by Barnstar Productions to benefit the Wilton Historical Society featured rows and rows of dealers who had artfully displayed everything from textiles to silverware.

My husband was tempted by some antique maps, but demurred. I was tempted by an aqua metal kitchen stool, but had recently agreed to a moratorium acquiring anything aqua.

Still, it's always fun to browse and it's a great way to find out what antique shows are coming up:  

The Bedford Antiques Show at Historical Hall, Nov. 9 and 10, 2013 at 608 Old Post Rd in Bedford, NY.

The American Artisan Show  on the grounds of the Wilton Historical Society, on Nov. 1-3, 2013, 224 Danbury Rd. 

If you have a hankering for antiques on any random day of the week, head to one of my favorite spots to hunt for treasures, the Stratford Antiques Center. With its 16,500 sq. ft of dealer space, you'll never know what you'll find. They have 200 vendors with a variety themes and specialties. The Stratford Antiques Center is located at 400 Honeyspot Road, just off Exit 31 on I-95. They are open 7 days a week from 10:00a.m. to 5:00p.m. every day of the year except: Easter, Memorial Day, July 4th, Labor Day, Thanksgiving and Christmas.