Antiques In The Valley Enters 12th Year

Popular Country Show In Oley, Pa., Continues To Impress

July 14, 2016

The 12th annual Antiques in the Valley show was held June 17 and 18 at the Oley Valley Middle School in Oley, Berks County, Pa. This regional show in the country is a worthwhile destination for antiques enthusiasts and athough many long-term exhibitors cited both attendance and the amount of business conducted to be a bit down, people came and some bought. A draw for people in the eastern and southeastern part of the state, numerous attendees commented how great the show looked and how much they enjoyed it. The number of dealers was slightly down and several did state following the two-day show they would be dropping it from their show schedule. It will be up to the organizers to seek the corrective changes enabling this great show to revitalize itself.
In its inaugural year, Antiques in the Valley came out of the gate as a wildly successful event and ushered in a renewed hope for quality regional shows. There is no reason to doubt, through proper advertising and management decisions, that it can florish again in light of the ever-changing market.
Ask any passive or active observer to the antiques business during the past 15 years since 9/11 and they will tell you there has been tremendous change. The dealers with impeccable reputations who have evolved with this new market and the ones who haven’t is what separates the dealers with viable businesses and those with a hobby.
Back this year with a special display was the Schwenkfelder Library and Heritage Center (located in Pennsburg, Pa.). The museum filled display cases with exemplary examples of fraktur from its collections. They also had a table with gift shop items and pamphlets which were for sale. Berks County Living Magazine was also available for patrons and Landis Valley Farm Museum had a table with material promoting its current exhibit on weathervanes.
The photos showcase a small cross section of the great offerings which were for sale.
To learn more about this show, call either Gene Bertolet at 707-310-4488 or John Bartley at 610-944-3203.

 

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