It’s hunting season again, which means it’s time to get up way before the crack of dawn, break out the right duds and hit the trails for game-infested territories. But we’re not talking about that politically incorrect sport that involves animals. Our game is inanimate, often functional and usually very old. Or at least vintage, which in the fields we’re covering means anything under 100 years.
If you’re so inclined, you can spend Sundays (or Saturdays in some cases) stalking fabulous stuff at this area’s host of antique fairs. “The lure of the hunt is always exciting,” says Roger Hilpp, a Chicago stockbroker who’s been at it for more than 20 years. Plus it’s a really great way to unwind from a stressful job, he adds.
Many still call these fairs flea markets. But “there’s a big difference between general-line flea markets and the antique fairs, where there are constraints placed on the merchandise by their organizers,” says Chicago dealer Gene Douglas. Also, each fair has its own personality, and some are better than others.
For instance, Hilpp thinks “there’s too much new stuff and too many crafts at the Kane County Flea Market,” although “there’s still lots of great buys to be had there.” The DuPage show is where “you’re most likely to stumble onto something,” while Grayslake “is the best organized,” he maintains.
Some of these fairs are bigger than others, although size doesn’t always reflect quality. “You never know when or where you’re going to score,” notes Douglas. While there are plenty of regular dealers who work the fairs month after month, there are also occasional sellers who clean out their basement or garage and have fabulous things to unload. “You always have to keep your eyes open,” Douglas says.
Of course, the earlier you go the better. And because all these fairs start at the crack of dawn, you have to rise long before the sun comes up to get there at opening. That may make for a fab Sunday but a tame Saturday night.
Ready to roll? Here are some of the area antique fairs to hit over the summer. All are open rain or shine.
Allegan Antique Market in Allegan, Mich., held on the Allegan County Fair Grounds (take M40 north from I-94 to downtown Allegan) the last Sunday of each month from April to September. Handicapped accessible. Admission: $3, children 15 and under free. Hours: 7:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday. Early bird admission on Saturday after noon, $30. Averages 400 dealers in warm weather; 250 are indoors. Information: Larry Wood, 616-735-3333. From Chicago: about 125 miles.
Centreville Antiques Market in Centreville, Mich., held on the St. Joseph County Fairgrounds (I-94 to Rte. 131, then north to M-86 and east 11 miles to the fairgrounds) on five Sundays (May 2, June 13, July 11, Aug. 8 and Oct. 10). Admission: $5, children 12 and under free. Hours: 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. Early bird admission on Saturday after 11 a.m., $30 (including admission for Sunday). Averages 600 dealers in warm weather, half inside and half outside. Information: 773-227-4464. From Chicago: 160 miles.
DuPage Antique & Collectible Market in Wheaton, held on the DuPage County Fairgrounds (2015 Manchester Rd., Wheaton, about one-eighth mile east of County Farm Road (access from Ill. 64, which is North Avenue, or Ill. 38, which is Roosevelt Road) on the third Sunday of each month all year round (except July, when there is no sale because of the county fair). There is also an All-Night Flea Market on Aug. 21 and 22. Admission: $3, children 11 and under free with adult. Hours: 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. Early bird admission is free to anyone who wants to get there at 5 a.m. when the fairgrounds open to dealers. Averages 300 dealers in warm weather, half inside and half outside. Information: 847-455-6090. From Chicago: 20 miles.
Grayslake Antiques & Collectibles in Grayslake, held on the Lake County Fairgrounds (on I-120 just west of U.S. 45) the second Sunday of each month.
Admission: $3, children under 12 free. Hours: 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sunday. Early bird admission 6-8 a.m. Sunday, $10. Averages 600 dealers in warm weather, half inside and half outside. Information: 847-223-1433. From Chicago: 50 miles.
Kane County Flea Market in St. Charles, held on the Kane County Fairgrounds (on Randall Road between Ill. 64 (North Avenue) and Ill. 38 (Roosevelt Road) the first Sunday and preceding Saturday of each month all year round. Admission: $5 for adults, children under 12 free. Hours: 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday and noon to 5 p.m. Saturday. Early bird admission from 8:30 a.m. on Saturday, $50. Averages 1,300 dealers in warm weather, 600 inside and the rest outside. Information: 630-377-2252. From Chicago: 35 miles.
Princeton Flea Market in Princeton, held on the Bureau County Fairgrounds (one mile west of Princeton on U.S. 6 and 34) the second Sunday of each month all year long. Admission: $2, children 12 and under free. Hours: 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. No early bird admission. Averages 100 dealers in warm weather, 60 inside and 40 outside. Information: Toni Martin, 815-872-1601. From Chicago: 125 miles.
Rt. 30 Flea Market in Amboy, held on the Lee County 4-H Fairgrounds (one mile east of U.S. 52 on U.S. 30) on the third Sunday of each month except for December and January (and except for July, when it will be on the second Sunday of the month). Admission: $1.50, seniors, $1, children 12 and under free. Hours: 7 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. No early bird admission. Averages 50 dealers and growing. Information: Bob Smith, 815-562-7897. From Chicago: 70 miles.
Sandwich Antiques Market, held on the Sandwich Fairgrounds (I-290 west to I-88, exit at Sugar Grove to Ill. 47, south 15 miles to U.S. 34, go east 15 miles to fairgrounds ) on six Sundays (May 16, June 20, July 25, Aug. 22, Sept. 26, Oct. 24. Admission: $5, children 12 and under free. Hours: 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Early Bird admission on Saturday after 11 a.m., $30 (includes admission for Sunday). Averages 600 dealers in warm weather, 200 inside and 400 outside. Information: 773-227-4464. From Chicago: 60 miles.
Elkhorn Antique Flea Market in Elkhorn, Wis., held on the Walworth County Fairgrounds (on Hwy. 11 east of Elkhorn) five dates a year (this year May 16, June 27, July 18, Aug. 8 and Sept. 26). Admission: $2, children 12 and under free. Hours: 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. Early bird admission after 1 p.m. Saturday or from 5 to 7 a.m. Sunday, $20. Averages 700 dealers, 500 outside and 200 inside. Information: 414-723-5651. From Chicago: 70 miles.
TIPS TO MAKE YOUR TRIP A SUCCESS
Here are a few more tips to keep in mind when you hit the area antique fairs:
– There actually are two schools of thought on when to get there. Some think you have to arrive early to get the preferred merchandise before anybody else does, while others believe dealers will be more flexible with their pricing later in the day. If you decide to wait it out, keep in mind that the good stuff may be gone.
– Some of the fairs offer special early bird admissions (see listings), and many collectors think that is the best time to go. If you do go then, though, many dealers may not have all their merchandise out. You’ll have to retrace your steps when they’re ready.
– Dress down. It’s hard to bargain effectively with dealers when you’re wearing a Prada backpack or Rolex watch.
– There are outside and inside dealers. Do the outside first, especially if it’s raining; in inclement weather, dealers are not obligated to stick around until closing. If you buy anything from an outside dealer, post your name on it, agree on a pick-up time and retrieve your purchase promptly, or the dealer will be forced to take it with her when she leaves.
– Some flea markets have better food and facilities than others, so think about bringing your own snacks, drinks, tissues and wet naps. When you’re hot on the trail of the perfect piece, you may not want to walk half a mile to the nearest washroom just to wash off your dirty hands.
– Take lots of cash. Writing checks slows you up, and you can often negotiate better prices with cash.
