Mullica Hill Antiques Festival Offers Nearly 100 Dealers

Mullica Hill, N.J.

:The second annual June Festival of Antiques took place June 14 at the Gloucester County 4-H Fairgrounds. The show was promoted by the Yellow Garage Antiques, also of Mullica Hill.

Some 25 years ago there was a popular but short-lived show at the fairgrounds known as "Antiques at Mullica Hill" promoted by Don and Joyce Coffman. Three years ago, the Coffmans approached Steve Lipman and Tracy Dodge, owners of the Yellow Garage, and asked if they would like to partner on another fairgrounds show. The four dealers came to an agreement and the June Festival of Antiques became a reality. With the untimely passing of Don Coffman, the Yellow Garage became the sole promoters of the event.

The 2008 edition brought just under 100 dealers from all over the East Coast to the fairgrounds. Country and formal furniture from the Eighteenth through Twentieth Centuries was abundant along with Americana, such as a large selection of blue decorated stoneware, redware, yellowware, baskets, quilts, weathervanes, folk art, samplers and lots of items in old paint.

"This was the buying opportunity of the year for the area," said Lipman. "Like last year's show, the crowd took advantage of having so many quality items in one venue. A few dealers were practically sold out by noon."

Two of those dealers were Patrick Murray of Brick, N.J., and Steve and Carol Redler of Olde Country Antiques of Hightstown, N.J. The Redlers were set up under cover in a pavilion and sold both furniture and smalls. Likewise, Murray cleared out his inventory of country furniture, decoys and stoneware that he had put under a tent out on the lawn.

Lancaster dealer Steve Smoot had a very good show, selling several big-ticket items. Smoot said he would return next year. George Allen and Gordon Wyckoff of Raccoon Creek Antiques at Oley Forge, Oley, Penn., had another good year at the fairgrounds and said they are already looking forward to next year's show.

New Jersey decoy specialist Dick Gove of Port Republic Decoys did the show for the first time and was pleased. He requested a bigger space for 2009.

Gring's Antiques of Ocean City, N.J., and Roger Crawford of Stony Run, Penn., reported excellent sales on par with what they had done at last year's show. Linda Grier of Langhorne, Penn., returned to her space in the second pavilion and sold very well.

Show veterans Len and Mary Benson, Blackwood, N.J., reported the sale of a galloping horse weathervane with Indian rider, and Martin Webster of Delhi, N.Y., sold a colorful braided and hooked runner.

"We had a great group of dealers, and an excellent gate. When you consider that this is only the second year for the show, I think we've exceeded our expectations. That said, we expect the show to grow and improve in years to come," said Dodge.

A portion of the proceeds from the show benefited the Harrison Township Historical Society. The group is in charge of the upkeep of the Old Town Hall that is right next to the Yellow Garage Antiques in the Mullica Hill historic district.

For more information, www.yellowgarageantiques.com or 856-478-0300.