Akari table lamps. Handmade washi paper, bamboo ribbing, supported by metal frame. Photo by John Berens.

The 2003 debut of The Woodbury Antiques Fair was a two-day event with lots of rain during setup and 133 exhibitors under the large and small tents arranged at Three Rivers Park; 2004 brought some changes to this event. “The dealers wanted it a one-day show, so we did that, eliminating Sunday,” Frank Gaglio of Barn Star Productions said.

A number of the first-time exhibitors did not return, reducing the list of dealers to just over 90 this time, down from 133. And best of all, the threatening storms and dismal weather predictions all failed and the show went on under mostly cloudy but dry skies.

“A bit of drizzle came at the end of the day and we closed the show 25 minutes early, but it did not really matter,” Frank said.

About 50 people showed up for early buying at 8 am on June 5, less than half the number of a year ago. During regular hours, however – 10 am to 5 pm – close to 1,000 visitors came through and many left with purchases.

“All in all, it was good,” Frank said, indicating that the charity, the Glebe House Museum and Gertrude Jekyll Garden, came out fine and there was a good showing of exhibitors who reported healthy sales.

Woodbury, known as the Antiques Capital of Connecticut, is generally a busy place on weekends, especially from early spring to fall. On the day of the Woodbury Antiques Fair many townspeople took advantage of the enlarged population and conducted sales along the town’s main street. How much more will it grow? Check it out in 2005.