Antiques show has big first day

Published 11:32 pm Saturday, February 25, 2012

Bev Harrell, left, and Marilyn Tonkin admire the items in a booth at the Suffolk Art League Antiques Show and Sale on Saturday. The show continues today at King’s Fork Middle School.

Antique jewelry, furniture, dolls, quilts and more are flying off the shelves at the Suffolk Art League’s Antiques Show and Sale this weekend.

Dealers were already reporting having a great weekend halfway through the day on Saturday. The show is the only big fundraiser of the year for the art league, which uses the money for its school, educational and community programs.

“We’ve had a great crowd today,” said Linda Bunch, executive director of the art league. “Our tremendous volunteers have just been working very hard. I’m seeing a lot of packages going out, so that’s a good thing.”

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Nearly 40 mid-Atlantic antiques and collectibles dealers are packed into the gymnasium at King’s Fork Middle School, ready to sell to customers. She show continues today.

“We’ve had a really big day,” said Norma Barbosa, owner of Norma’s Attic. She said her friend came and reported there were no parking spaces in the lot.

“People are buying,” she said, adding that she already had done better on Saturday morning than during the entire show last year.

Lisa Vickers of V&V Antiques and Estate Sales echoed that sentiment.

“People have been buying,” she said. “The crowds have been really great.”

One of this year’s new dealers, Margaret Cullifer of Cullifer Antiques, works mainly in furniture. Her spread includes a canopy bed, several dressers and a dining-room set.

“Antiques get in your blood,” she admitted. “If your only disease is buying antiques, it could be a lot worse.”

Also available at the show are on-site repair for chipped or broken crystal and antique frame restoration.

The show, which is being held in cooperation with Suffolk Parks and Recreation, continues today from noon to 5 p.m. at King’s Fork Middle School, 350 Kings Fork Road. Admission is $5.

Brunswick stew, barbecue, hot dogs and homemade desserts are on sale at the event for the benefit of the art league. Finally, the art league will raffle off an acrylic painting titled “Tidewater” by Jean Ward Jordan. Tickets are $2 or three for $5. The drawing will be held at 5 p.m. on Sunday. You do not need to be present to win.