|
By Lynn Hotaling
Booths will line Dillsboro's Front Street Saturday, Oct. 4, when
town merchants host the village's first-ever fall antiques fair.
"We wanted an event to kick off the leaf season," said
LouAnn Smith, one of three festival coordinators.
"We've had a lot of customers asking us about antiques shops,
so we knew there was an interest in antiques."
All merchandise offered by vendors at Dillsboro's event must be
at least 25 years old, Smith said. Those participating will feature
only authentic antiques, with no reproductions or yard-sale type
items, Smith said.
"We're being very fussy," she said. "We don't want
any misrepresentation."
Collectibles and antiques featured Oct. 4 will be mostly "country
wares," said Smith, who said she expects Dillsboro's event
to offer "good quality, affordable antiques."
In addition to old-fashioned merchandise, Dillsboro's fair will
offer daylong music and food, Smith said. Booths will open from
9 a.m. until 4 p.m.
Visitors can sample a variety of traditional street fair food
or opt for a sit-down meal in one of Dillsboro's fine restaurants,
she said.
Josh Bulla will perform on harp and bagpipes in the Yarn Corner's
courtyard, and other local musicians will be featured throughout
the day.
Booth space (10 feet x 20 feet) is free to qualifying antique
vendors, and vendors may register through Tuesday, Sept. 30, by
calling Smith at the Village Studio (586-4060) or festival coordinator
David Gates at Bradley's General Store (586-3891).
Several local antiques dealers will offer items for sale Oct.
4.
- Bill Nicholson of Sylva will bring his antique sewing machines,
telephones, lamps and country store jars.
- Joyce Streicher of Whittier will bring her collection of Blue
Ridge pottery.
- David Gates of Dillsboro will offer antique furniture.
Regional vendors include Beth Walker of Oexning Silversmiths of
Bakersville, who will offer free estimates on restoration, refinishing
and repair of silver items.
Visitors to the Oct. 4 fair can bring their silver and Walker
will examine it that day.
Also, Camille Simmons of Wish Antiques in Charleston, S.C., will
display vintage and estate jewelry and antique china and glass.
Travis Wilson of Big Creek Antiques in Asheville will offer baskets,
copper, dough bowls and watering cans.
Willa and Gerald Stone of Bar Everything in Hendersonville will
display bar items from the 1950s and older as well as Kentucky
Derby glasses.
Mike and Eva Stamey of Shady Brook Antiques in Canton will bring
furniture, glass, pottery, mirrors and toys.
Sandy Arden of Seymour, Tenn., will offer quilts, furniture and
small country collectibles.
Barbara McDonald of Knoxville, Tenn., will bring country furniture,
primitives, small items and quilts.
Dillsboro merchants hope the antiques fair will become an annual
event, Smith said.
"Because of Dillsboro's history and quaintness, we wanted
an event to spotlight our town during the color season,"
Smith said. "We want to offer our fall visitors something
more than shopping and give them another incentive to visit the
mountains."
Financial backers for the first antiques fair are the Holiday
Inn Express and Best Western River Escape Inn of Dillsboro, and
co-sponsor is WRGC radio.
For more information, call Smith at 586-4060, Gates at 586-3891
or visit online at www.visitdillsboro.org.
|
