As the largest indoor and outdoor Antique and Collectible show in the U.S., many patrons find visiting all the booths at the show a challenge – and a fun challenge at that! The July Antique & Collectible Show, brings in vendors from all over the U.S. and patrons will find and amazing assortment of treasures available. The Portland Expo Antique & Collectible Show, returns this July 10 & 11 with hundreds of antique collectors and dealers from all over the Northwest and beyond.
At the Portland Antique & Collectible Show patrons can buy pop collectibles, vintage clothing, glassware and old radios from the 1930’s, turn-of-the-century furniture, all kinds of memorabilia, toy trains, sports memorabilia and much more. For the more classic collector be sure to look for sterling silver pieces, Tiffany glass, estate jewelry, bronzes, paintings and artifacts and of course toys from the 1880’s to the 1960’s and much more all at the Portland Expo Antique & Collectible Show. Home decorators can find furniture in American, European, 1890s golden oak, pine, mahogany and country styles.
More than 1,400 booths and hundreds of vendors will be selling, making this one of the largest antique shows in the US – right here in Portland! “The summer Antique show is one of our most popular,” noted Chris Palmer – show manager, “we’ve been producing shows in the Northwest for decades, and as an Oregon based company, we are thrilled to bring in vendors from all over the country.”
For those treasure seekers - Ever wonder what your grandmother’s old clock, WWII letters, or grandfathers cigar box is worth? The general public is invited to bring their items to the evaluators! For only $5.00 dollars per object you can get an estimated value. Similar to the Antiques Roadshow® seen on Public Broadcasting, the Portland show will have experts at the ready for appraisals. Proceeds go to the Portland Police Sunshine Division.
Visit the Portland Antique & Collectible Show to find toys from your childhood. There’s a good chance that the cute wind-up toy, model airplane and porcelain doll may be at the show (just waiting for you to find her again). If you grew up in the 1970’s –– movies and television sit-coms bring back similar memories and owning a piece of that history is still possible! The show makes those childhood memories come alive with displays and items for sale.
If you’ve never been to a collector’s show, now is your chance, “Antiques and collectibles are as popular as ever, and they hold their value very well through tough times and good times,” noted Palmer.
Show Hours: Saturday: 9:00 am to 6:00 pm
Sunday: 10:00 am to 5:00 pm
Admission: $7.00 good for both days
Parking: $7.00 at the Expo Center (less for car pools)
Additional: $5.00 At Portland Meadows – free shuttle provided to the Expo Center
MAX: Take the Yellow Line to the Expo Center
America’s Largest Antique & Collectible Shows are produced by Palmer/Wirfs & Associates. Show patrons can discover restored turn-of-the-century furniture, kitchen goodies, Victorian décor, garden antiques, wacky memorabilia, estate jewelry and so much more at every show. For more information, call 503.282.0877
If you are a first time show attendee or new to the world of antiques and collectibles, here are a few hints:
1. If you are fired up and intent on trying to beat everyone to a specific type of collectible, you'll need to get there when the doors open. While it is unlikely that you will be able to hog all of "the good items", unless you have magical powers that can transport you around the 240,000 square foot space, getting there early will help your odds of being able to find that item.
2. Go to the Palmer/Wirfs information kiosk in the lobby of Hall E. This is where by giving the information desk clerk some keywords of what you are looking for they can print out a map of the booths that match your keywords, at no charge. While this service will make it easier to get around, you should still take notice of the booths you walk past for items that may jump out at you.
3. If you see something you like, BUY IT. Most likely if you do not buy that item that you have been hemming and hawing over in one of the booths, by the time you loop around, it will be gone. Then regret will set in. Nobody likes regret.
4.When haggling with a dealer, the etiquette is to ask, "Can you do any better?" or "What is the best you can do?" At this point, the dealer will evaluate what you have in your hand and most likely try to work something out with you. Do not be rude about your offers, this will absolutely get you nowhere and word will spread like wildfire through the booths that there is a jerk in the midst.
5. Bring a little hand sanitizer or a pack wipes. While most dealers do a good job of sprucing up their items, there will be some dust. Having to head to the bathroom to wash your hands repeatedly will take you off the shopping floor!
6. If you bring a buddy and you are in serious shopping mode, make sure your pal has the stamina to last for a few hours or there will be some cranky moments between you.
7. Stay hydrated. Drink lots of water to avoid delirium.
8. Have fun and talk to the people in the booths, you really will learn some interesting history and find some birds of a feather.
and .. most of all .. just ENJOY yourself!