MORE than 150 stallholders will set up shop at the Campbells Creek-Fryers Antique and Collectibles Fair at the end of January.
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The fair is a re-modeled version of the hugely popular Fryerstown Antique Fair, which was cancelled in August last year because emergency services felt the fire danger risks were too high.
Organisers and stallholders Kim Rowlatt and Craig Morrow said buyers and sellers were shocked when they heard the news but had banded together when a new venue – the Campbells Creek Recreation Reserve – was made available.
“Everyone was ringing in shock. Bookings had taken and everything, it was going ahead,” Ms Rowlatt said.
“It was through word of mouth that we found this venue being offered. We had a look at it and decided to go ahead.
“We've acquired most of the stallholders. Some have retired but we have got a lot of new ones as well with some cool stuff which we are thrilled about.
“There’s a new generation of younger people more interested in interior design. It’s wonderful to see them (getting involved), they'll carry on the tradition.”
The Campbells Creek-Fryers Antique and Collectibles Fair not affiliated with the Fryerstown Trustees.
It will run along side the Campbells Creek Antique and Collectibles Fair which was was planned for the Australia Day long weekend to run in conjunction with the Fryerstown fair.
Ms Rowlatt said there had always been a good atmosphere at the Fryerstown event.
“People had made friendships and bonded together. People came back because they knew the stallholders (so well),” she said.
“Small country towns need that influx of tourism and this fair is huge for this area. (almost 15,000 people come through.
“That's a lot of people who need lunch, dinner, fuel or accommodation.”
Mr Morrow said for a lot of stallholders, the Fryerstown Antiques Fair was their biggest event for the year.
“We know a lot of stallholders that had kept stock and products for this fair, so something needed to be done (to save it) and it had to be close by,” he said.
“We have a few collectors that come up to it for us. There's a bit of a bond there between dealers and collectors.
“I know I have a list of contacts and if I’m at auction or a clearance and I see something (that a collector would like), I take a photo of it, let them know and get it for them. then we say, I’ll see you at Fryerstown.”
The Campbells Creek-Fryers Antique and Collectibles Fair is on at the Campbell’s Creek Recreation Reserve from January 25 to 28. Entry is $5 and free for children under 12.