Event brings in antiques dealers from across U.S.

By Jennifer Edwards (Contact) | The Natchez Democrat

Published Wednesday, June 25, 2008

Antiques dealers from across the United States will fill the Natchez Convention Center this weekend for the Fourth annual Natchez Antiques Show and Sale.

With them, will come wide variety of antiques including furniture, china and silver and stained glass. And, despite the heat, at least one dealer will have a selection of fur coats.

Leigh Anne Mason, event organizer with the convention center, said shoppers should expect a good selection of estate jewelry as well.

“It seems like we have a lot of jewelry coming in this year,” Mason said. “The dealers are bringing items from their specialization and a selection of jewelry, too.”

The event kicks off at 7 p.m. Thursday with a preview party and continues through Sunday afternoon. Admission to the show is $5 for the weekend. Tickets for the preview party are sold separately.

Walter Tipton, director of the convention center, said he expects to see anywhere from 800 to 1,000 people come through the doors for the show.

The attendance goal is up a little from last year but Tipton said he doesn’t expect reaching the goal to be a problem.

“That is a little more than we did last year but this year we did a good bit more advertising,” Tipton said. “We have had a very positive response to the show. It is summer and people are looking for fun things to do.”

Mason said attendees will be both locals and tourists who have come to Natchez specifically for the show.

“We see a good mix of tourist and locals both at the sale from year to year,” Mason said. “(Natchez) is the sort of town that fosters and supports this type of event.”

Patty Edwards, event promoter from New Era Promotions, said Natchez is also the type of city that antiques dealers enjoy visiting.

“A lot of the dealers will make this trip a week-long vacation because of the ambiance of the Natchez,” Edwards said. “Everyone loves to go to Natchez and visit the tourist spots in town and in the area.”

Although the city is definitely part of the appeal, Tipton said dealers participate in the event because they know they can be successful.

“(Dealers) know that their items will sell here,” Tipton said. “We had one vender a couple of years ago who was selling china and silver, and he sold out on the first day.

“Last year, we had a (dealer) that brought in oriental rugs and did really well. He is coming back this year.”

For attendees, the appraisal segment is one of the happenings that makes the show popular. Attendees can bring in different items from their personal collection for appraisal and information.

Each item brought in for appraisal will be taken to a dealer working in the item’s specialty. For example, someone specializing in antique toys will appraise an antique toy train.

Edwards said that having the items appraised by dealers within the specialty is more beneficial to the item’s owner.

“The value of an item is very subjective,” Edwards said. “Taking it to a specific dealer will allow the owner to learn about the history of the item and who made it as well as the value.”

The appraisal fair will be from 3 p.m. until 7 p.m. on Friday. It is free with the door admission.

Mason said attendees don’t have to participate in the appraisal fair to learn a little something about antiques. She said the dealers are always willing to educate the crowd.

“When I started working with this event, I didn’t know anything about antiques but now I’m becoming somewhat of an expert,” Mason said. “The people we have come in will talk to you and teach you about what they are selling.”

Edwards added that the show would have something interesting for anyone wanting to attend, even those who have been to many different antique shows.

“I work very hard to make this show different each year,” Edwards said. “You don’t want people coming in and saying ‘I saw that last year.’ You don’t need that attitude.”