Antique show returns, offering wide variety of items

The annual Crossroads Regional Chamber of Commerce Antique & Collectibles show has things that appeal to long-time collectors as well as those starting out new collections, said Kelly Dooley, the chair of the antique show and a member of the Crossroads Regional Chamber of Commerce.

"The vendors we have are experts at what they do. They can answer questions you might have about collections, or be able to point you in the right direction towards things you might be looking for," Dooley said.

The show will be Feb. 25 and Feb. 26 at the Industrial Arts Building of the Lake County Fairgrounds. Admission is $4, but there is a $1 off coupon on the chamber website, www.crossroadschamber.org.

Last year, more than 1,500 people visited the show over the course of two days, Dooley said. This year, they are hoping to meet or break those attendance numbers.

The show was first offered about 15 years ago and is offered every spring and fall. This spring, there will be about 50 vendors from around the Midwest displaying items in the show.

There will be some large furniture, but the show will consist of primarily smaller-scale items including chairs and tables, dolls, jewelry, purses, Pyrex, linens and china.

"There is a wide range of goods, and a wide range of price points, from $5 through several hundred dollars," Dooley said. "The variety of things we have makes the show unique."

Items in the show will also span the decades, with things offered from the 1930s and 1950s as well as newer items from the 1980s that are now considered retro, Dooley said.

Organizers are always trying to find ways to improve the show. In the event that will take place later this year, the committee that runs the show is hoping to have an antiques dealer on hand to offer appraisals to visitors who bring items in from home.

"We're always looking at different shows to see if there are other things we might need or want at our own shows," he said.