Following quick on the heels of Antiques Week in New Hampshire, the Madison-Bouckville Antiques Show is this week, the anchor to the Madison-Bouckville Antiques Week itself in western New York State, which is a collection of shows that – minus the headlining show – are not quite as high profile, or high end, as the New Hampshire shows. That said, however, it’s a fun week of antiquing, with some good shows and, weather cooperating, some good shopping.

Often, though, it’s hot, muggy, muddy and rainy. Something like Brimfield often is in July. What’s important about this show, besides the estimated 20,000 people that attend it, and the more than $1 million that it pumps into the local economy of an area of New York that desperately needs the yearly infusion, is that it represents an important meeting of East Coast and Midwest antiques buyers and sellers.

Madison-Bouckville is the one chance for buyers from New York, Pennsylvania, Ohio and beyond to meet and trade in a central location. The main show, which begins on Friday, Aug. 15, is an excellent event, and you can often find some truly excellent antiques at bargain prices – even better than Brimfield, which doesn’t exactly feature the unbelievable buys that it once did. The main show, however, does. I’ve heard it time and time again from dealers and shoppers alike, that it’s a place where you can bring $500 bucks and walk away with thousands of dollars worth of stuff.

When I lived in New York state, I routinely delivered copies of the antiques paper I worked for to the Madison-Bouckville area, and was quite find of the place. It’s wide open, well-spaced, and populated with good, friendly folk. I also attended the show many times and enjoyed it immensely. Like the area itself, the shows do not take themselves too seriously, are a place for straight-forward negotiation and business, and there is little pressure – dealers are happy to talk to you if you’re just passing through or if you’re simply wandering through.

I won’t be getting out to western New York this week, but I will be thinking about all the people I know there, and wishing I could get to the main show on Friday. I’ll also be keeping an eye on the weather.

Here’s a link to the Utica Observer Dispatch, and here’s link to the show itself. Enjoy, and if you go, have a good time!

-Noah Fleisher, Aug. 11, 2008