By Connie Wang
Refinery 29
May 5, 2017
Some people come across a football field of old stuff — crusty jackets with dirty Kleenex still in the pockets; rows of dusty bottles, some still with decades-old Coca-Cola in it; patched-up chairs that have more holes than actual stuffing — and would rather do anything than enter. For others, myself included, this is the literal description of The Happy Place. And the happiest of all Happy Places might very well be Brimfield Antique Show, the thrice-yearly, weeklong event that’s considered to be the largest, most reputable, and longest-running gathers of antique dealers in the country. It's a pain to get to, a monster to navigate, and will test your patience, your endurance, and your tolerance to heat, grime, and port-a-potties. But if you’re the latter kind of person, Brimfield is the GOAT.
Brimfield Antique Show represents over 6,000 dealers in over 20 different markets, or “promotions,” with names like Broomfield’s Heart-o-the-Mart of Dealer’s Choice. If it sounds like your Grandma named them, it’s because she probably did — many of these dealers have been frequenting the grounds since 1959, and refer to the vintage craze of the ‘70s like it was yesterday. Best known for housewares, Brimfield has its fair share of vintage clothing, too — but unlike the curated shops you might be used to seeing at urban flea markets and conventions, Brimfield is sprawling, disorganized, and unedited. Which means, it takes some work to uncover treasure.
Read the full story at Refinery 29.