History of the Cambridge Antique Fair

Sometimes people ask us how we got into the antique show trade. It started innocently enough as an idea we had while visiting in Houston. We met Cheryl’s uncle there in early 1992 shortly after we were married. Her uncle Jerry is an entrepreneur who started his own temporary-employment agency. He also promoted his own job fair in Houston, where he sold space to companies seeking employees and sold tickets to job seekers. He had since sold his business, but he did very well. We aspired to something entrepreneurial as well. We have an interest in antiques, and we knew of other regional shows that were pretty successful, so we decided to start our own antique show. After all, how hard could it be?

We chose the fairgrounds in Princeton because it is in my hometown area, and there were no other antique shows on the North Side of the Twin Cities. And we selected the 4th of July Weekend as the date for our show.  In the spring of 1992 we gave it everything we had as we solicited dealers from all over to set up in Princeton. We thought we could get hundreds to sign up, since our rates were pretty reasonable, we advertised extensively, and it seemed like a good place for a show. To our frustration, we could convince only 25 dealers to set up, but an attendance of over 2,500 people that weekend made all the dealers pretty happy. Although we lost money the first year, the show was bound to grow as word got out among the dealers about the successful sales.

After our second year, we faced a crossroads. While the dealer set up doubled to 50 dealers, attendance was down. We were partly to blame because we over-advertised the show in the first year, and many people did not return. The unusual weather of the early 1990s was also to blame, as summer-like conditions did not really start until late July. We faced a break-even situation, which was disappointing for all the work we had put into it. We had tentatively decided not to have another show, partly because Princeton was really too small of a place if the show were to grow. Then, in January 1994 we visited the fairgrounds in Cambridge. Although it was bitter cold outside and snow was everywhere, we could easily envision our relocating the show here. There was much more potential because of the many buildings and wide open spaces. We would give it another try.

We changed the show date to the first weekend in August, to hopefully avoid the bad weather patterns and avoid conflicts with other shows. And, we renamed the event to the Cambridge Antique Fair. While the event was still a lot of hard work and there were complications, we hosted 100 dealers and had an attendance of over 3,500. And we finally turned a profit.

Since 1994, a lot has changed, mostly for the better. New buildings provide additional space for inside dealers. We have a good working relationship with the Fairground Board members. We have a lot of great help every year. Only in the last couple of years have Cheryl and I actually been able to peruse the show and shop for antiques. In fact, I honestly have a great time finding more antiques for my collection than at any other show. That gives us a lot of satisfaction.

In 2009 we are adding a vintage car show.  Kids 16 and under are free with parents.  This is another way we are making ours an event for the whole family -- something for her, something for him, and the kids, too.

Over the last several years the show has averaged a paid attendance of over 6,000 people.  We think the show is a jewel waiting to be discovered by thousands more antique collectors.  Why not stop by next time and have a fun family day away from the big cities?