: The 2003 debut of The Woodbury Antiques Fair was a two-day event
with lots of rain during setup and 133 exhibitors under the large
and small tents arranged at Three Rivers Park; 2004 brought some
changes to this event. "The dealers wanted it a one-day show, so
we did that, eliminating Sunday," Frank Gaglio of Barn Star
Productions said.
A number of the first-time exhibitors did not return, reducing
the list of dealers to just over 90 this time, down from 133. And
best of all, the threatening storms and dismal weather
predictions all failed and the show went on under mostly cloudy
but dry skies.
"A bit of drizzle came at the end of the day and we closed the
show 25 minutes early, but it did not really matter," Frank said.
About 50 people showed up for early buying at 8 am on June 5,
less than half the number of a year ago. During regular hours,
however - 10 am to 5 pm - close to 1,000 visitors came through
and many left with purchases.
"All in all, it was good," Frank said, indicating that the
charity, the Glebe House Museum and Gertrude Jekyll Garden, came
out fine and there was a good showing of exhibitors who reported
healthy sales.
"A lot of people came up to me and said how much they liked
the show," Frank said, "and we are already working on plans for
next year. Again, some changes will be made in the schedule."
Woodbury, known as the Antiques Capital of Connecticut, is
generally a busy place on weekends, especially from early spring
to fall. On the day of the Woodbury Antiques Fair many
townspeople took advantage of the enlarged population and
conducted sales along the town's main street. How much more will
it grow? Check it out in 2005.
