For the first time in 40 years it’s on a different day, but the
surplus of unique rare antiques, exotic baubles and bric-a-bracwill
be the same at the 41st Annual Antique
&
amp; Collectible Flea Market in San Juan Bautista.
For the first time in 40 years it’s on a different day, but the surplus of unique rare antiques, exotic baubles and bric-a-bracwill be the same at the 41st Annual Antique & Collectible Flea Market in San Juan Bautista.
The show has traditionally been held on the first Sunday in August, but because conflicting antique shows had been drawing away valuable business, this year’s festival will be held this Sunday amidst the historic downtown streets of the Mission town, said Halina Kleinsmith, executive director of the San Juan Bautista Chamber of Commerce.
“We’re bringing it back to the caliber of goods and size it was 10 years ago,” she said. “Dealers are coming back that hadn’t been able to come, and they’re bringing their quality antiques to our show once again.”
Between 8,000 and 10,000 people are expected to traverse nine blocks filled with bona fide antiques and collectibles between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m., Kleinsmith said.
Chamber members have worked hard to pre-qualify over 100 vendors traveling from all over the Central Coast and as far away as Los Angeles and Sacramento to make sure everything is pre-1970 and there are no reproductions, Kleinsmith said.
Vendors, along with the 15 antique shops in the town, will be hawking a wide range of items, from antiquated pottery and jewelry, Victorian furniture and rare Dynasty burial jade from China, she said.
“It will also allow people to spend a few dollars on a postcard or comic book that many shoppers will remember from their childhood,” Kleinsmith said. “Everybody gets excited about their finds and treasures – they’re full of energy because they’re looking to find that one elusive item.”
Besides boasting of one-of-a-kind antiques available to shoppers, the show is a boon to San Juan throughout the entire year, Kleinsmith said.
People who come every year remember the tourist town when they want to do more antique shopping, and it introduces people who’ve never been to San Juan to all it has to offer, she said.
Jan Mingus, co-owner of Bluebird Antiques, said the show helps boost sales, but also creates a wonderful ambiance throughout the city.
“It’s a fun day, there’s lots of good food, and they have a good time,” she said. “You can tell by the faces.”
Handicap parking will be available in the bank parking lot at Fourth and Mariposa streets. Other parking is available throughout the residential areas where legal, and in three separate lots around the city for a $5 fee, which is donated to local schools and churches.
