The Del Mar Antique 'sic''Show & Sale is the longest-running family owned indoor

antiques An antique ( la, antiquus; 'old', 'ancient') is an item perceived as having value because of its aesthetic or historical significance, and often defined as at least 100 years old (or some other limit), although the term is often used loosely ...

show in California. It is the largest antiques and collectible show south of San Francisco, with over of exhibition space. As of November 2017, the show was in its 56th year.

History

The show is held at the

Del Mar Fairgrounds The Del Mar Fairgrounds is a event venue in Del Mar, California. The annual San Diego County Fair is held here, which was called the Del Mar Fair from 1984 to 2001. In 1936, the Del Mar Racetrack was built by the Thoroughbred Club with foundin ...

in the seaside city of

Del Mar, California Del Mar (; Spanish for "Of the Sea") is a beach town in San Diego County, California, located on the coast of the Pacific Ocean. Established in 1885 as a seaside resort, the city incorporated in 1959. The Del Mar Horse Races are hosted on the De ...

, 20 miles north of

San Diego San Diego ( , ; ) is a city on the Pacific Ocean coast of Southern California located immediately adjacent to the Mexico–United States border. With a 2020 population of 1,386,932, it is the List of United States cities by population, eigh ...

. It was established in 1961 by Joseph and Bettye Grimes, who at one time had shows throughout the Southern California region, known as the Calendar Shows. The Grimes advertised the Del Mar Antique 'sic''Show as having everything "from tin to Tiffany". Today, the show, which is open to the public for a fee, is owned and operated by the Grimes' son, Michael.

Show highlights

Typically visiting the shows, where up to 7,000 people attend, are costumed members of the San Diego Costume Guild and

Red Hat Society The Red Hat Society (RHS) is an international social organization that was founded in 1998 in the United States for women age 50 and beyond, but now open to women of all ages. History In the fall of 1997, Sue Ellen Cooper, an artist from ...

members. Each show is themed. For example, the theme for a 2010 show was "Masquerade: A Venice Carnivale at Del Mar." In 2007, organizer and producer Michael Grimes produced a similar themed show, named the Wild West Expo, which ''Today's Vintage'' newspaper described as the "Old West starring alongside traditional antiques." The Del Mar Antique 'sic''Show is the largest indoor antiques show south of San Francisco and attracts over 100 antiques dealers from across the western United States. During the downturn in the economy, the 2009 show had 20 percent fewer exhibitors than usual. But participation over the next two years increased again, surpassing the 2009 number. In 2010, Grimes organized The Green Meets Green Expo, also held at the Del Mar Fairgrounds. The San ''Diego Union-Tribune'' wrote that the expo was "where old and new converge with an eco-friendly theme."''San Diego Union-Tribune'', "You can't get much greener than antiques," January 16, 2010
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References

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External links

Official site
Antiques shows in the United States Del Mar, California Del Mar Racetrack Annual events in California Recurring events established in 1961 1961 establishments in California Tourist attractions in San Diego County, California Festivals in San Diego Antiques dealers

History

Show highlights

See also

References

External links