NUMBERS were slightly down on previous years, but Zonta Club of Orange members still had plenty to smile about at the conclusion of the Orange Antique, Jewellery and Vintage Fair on Sunday.
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President Frances Young said 207 people attended Friday’s gala opening, followed by 876 people on Saturday.
“If we clear 450 by the end of the day, we’ll do well,” she said yesterday afternoon.
Ms Young said a combination of other events, the current economic climate and the weekend’s often overcast weather contributed to the 100 fewer shoppers though the door.
“If it’s cold and fine, people will go out, but if it’s cold and wet, they don’t,” she said.
However, she said feedback from the fair’s 28 dealers had been positive.
“People have been buying little things rather than bigger items, but a couple of the dealers said a lot of furniture has moved,” she said.
Adding jewellery and vintage items to the event’s name paid off, with the three vintage dealers having a good fair.
“Fur coats have walked out the door,” Ms Young said.
Among the fair’s trinkets, statues, paintings, clothing and fine furniture was dealer Brendan Minogue with his kitchen collectibles, ranging from the turn of the century to the 1930s.
His stock included green glass measuring instruments, metal tea and coffee pots and even a ceramic pot with Coles branding.
“Right up to the 80s, they had cafeterias, and this is from one of them,” he said.
The metal containers might have experienced a resurgence recently with cheaper replicas on the market, but Mr Minogue said people still sought the originals despite the pretty penny.
Ms Young thanked the 60 Canobolas Rural Technology High School students who catered for the opening, and Orange Quota Club members, who provided morning and afternoon tea throughout the weekend.
danielle.cetinski@fairfaxmedia.com.au
