Who doesn't love weekends? After a stressful week at work, it's always nice to be able to wind down and relax. If there happens to be some kind of craft fair or art show on a particular weekend, you'll probably find me there.
Every first Sunday of the month Alameda holds an antiques faire, the largest in Northern California. There are tons of vintage items for sale: jewelry, home decor, furniture, clothing, art, and other collectibles. I make it a point to come out for every faire, even if it's just for a few hours. If you love thrift stores, flea markets, garage sales, etc. I would recommend checking this place out the next time it comes around in December.
If you do decide to head out to the antiques faire, I've listed a few tips for you below. The next faire will be on Sunday, December 1, 2013.
1. Get there early.
I usually arrive around 9:00am, which costs only $5 for admission. If you're looking to score some serious treasures, you can enter the faire as early as 6:00am for $15. The admission prices vary with time, being more expensive the earlier you arrive. Parking is always free.
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| A quick look at the way the faire is set up, numerous rows of vendor booths! |
2. Bring cash.
Although some vendors do accept credit cards, the majority of them don't. I would suggest bringing a set amount of cash to avoid over spending.
3. Have an idea of what you intend to purchase.
It was a bit overwhelming for me the first time I went there. I mean, there are over 800 vendors! It's easy to get lost in everything, and maybe even end up buying things you didn't intend to. Some things I like to look for are vintage cameras, home decor, and craft supplies.
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| One of my favorite things to look for, vintage cameras for my boyfriend's collection. |
4.Wear comfortable clothing.
Be prepared for a lot of walking. Don't let uncomfortable shoes stop you from finding your treasures! Wearing layers is a must since it gets hotter as the day progresses. I would also suggest wearing sunglasses or a hat, if you like.
5. Bring shopping bags and hand sanitizer.
Bags are rarely supplied here. It's best to bring shopping bags or maybe even a cart to hold your purchases. I like to have my hands free to check out all the items. Since these items are vintage, they can be a bit dusty. There are hand-washing stations by the bathrooms, but bringing hand sanitizer is helpful when you're going from booth to booth.
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| It's nice to see how beautifully some vendors display their items. |
6. Bring adequate food and drinks.
I typically spend a couple hours at the faire every time I go. Food and water is a must to avoid dehydration and give you energy to keep going. There are numerous food trucks inside as well.
7. Talk to vendors.
Every one is so friendly here, and each vendor has different stories to tell. A lot of them sell items from their personal collection, and can tell you their story behind a particular item. You can even haggle with the vendors for a lower price!
There was a note on this sign below to ask for the story, so of course we had to. If you're familiar with Southern California and the San Bernardino area, you'll get a better idea of where this sign came from. But basically, on the left of where this sign was originally placed was Patton State Hospital, a highly secured mental hospital. One hopeful individual changed the sign to read "Freedom" instead of "Freeway", which led the viewer in the opposite direction, away from the insane.
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| Patton vs. Freedom? The choice is yours. |
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| Our finds from the faire, vintage cameras! Yashica-12 Twin Lens Camera Polaroid One-Step Land Camera |
I hope to see you at the next antiques faire! I would love to see what kind of awesome treasures you find.
Yours Truly, M.
