The 39th annual Madison-Bouckville Outdoor Antiques Show, New York State’s largest antiques event, will again give collectors from across the United States, Canada and Europe the opportunity to peruse and choose from thousands of fascinating antiques and collectibles offered by 1,000 selected dealers. This year’s show takes place Saturday and Sunday Aug. 21 and 22 on 90 sprawling acres of picturesque farmland on Route 20 in Bouckville, New York.
Held rain or shine, the show will feature a wide range of collectible Americana to please even the most discriminating collector, including furniture, from country to formal; paintings, from primitive to classical; rugs, china, silver brass, books, stoneware, quilts, clocks, estate jewelry, dolls, toys, Tiffany and more.
“The Madison-Bouckville Outdoor Antiques Show has grown to become an event that helps define summer in Central New York,” said Show Director Jock Hengst of Madison-Bouckville Management. “It’s a great opportunity for buyers and sellers alike. Folks have always come to buy antique and collectible treasures, and now there’s another kind of patron: the person interested in selling that certain something to one of the dealers at the show.”
An ‘amazing experience’
While the antiques shopping paradise might be the focal point, it isn’t the only feature that has contributed to the Madison-Bouckville show’s enormous popularity since it was launched in 1972.
The free parking areas and ease with which the big crowd moves into, around and out of the grounds helps make the overall experience enjoyable. Other attractions with their own historical twist that add to the fun are the 12 restored antique tractors that roam the field.
“They’re an attraction themselves,” Hengst explained, “but they also serve a functional purpose in pulling the trolleys and trailers that transport people and their purchases back and forth between the parking areas, show gates and grounds.”
Porters are always ready to carry and load merchandise on and off the trailers, he added.
In addition, a variety of food and beverages from concession stands operated by local, non-profit organizations will also be available, along with four convenient onsite ATMs, and the free, official show program filled with general show information and a handy map of the show grounds.
Dealers, services and conveniences
Because the antiques-rich communities of Madison and Bouckville bustle with activity during this weekend, Hengst and his staff have devised a quick and efficient system for getting showgoers to the Madison-Bouckville Outdoor Antiques Show grounds. Colorful blue signs featuring the show’s official sun logo will appear at intervals starting at approximately ten miles out on all major roads into Bouckville.
“Some smaller shows might create the impression that the main event is spread out along Route 20, but that’s not the case. Only by following the sun signs and looking for the enormous yellow and red 1,000 Dealers sign on the show field will showgoers find the main show. We want them to take advantage of all of the dealers and conveniences that make the show so special.”
Early-bird buying, weekend passes available
Hengst said the show hours will be 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday Aug.21 and 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Sunday Aug.22. Admission is $7 daily or $8 for a weekend pass. Children under 12 are admitted free.
Early-bird tickets, good for the entire weekend, will go on sale Friday Aug. 20, from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the show’s Route 20 entrance. The cost is $40 for one, or $75 for two. Dealers will begin buying/selling at 10 a.m. and gates to the booth area will open at 7 a.m.
More information on the 2010 Madison-Bouckville Outdoor Antiques Show, as well as Madison Bouckville Management’s other antiques events, the Salt City Autumn Antiques Show in October and the Salt City Winter Antiques Show in January, is available online at bouckvilleantiquesshows.com or by calling 824-2462.
