MIDLAND, Mich. — Upon entering one of five gates at the Michigan Antique & Collectible show visitors are handed a map of the grounds. With more than 1,000 vendors, a map can come in handy, although many people just go with the flow and stop at booths that interest them.

While many of the dealers are from all parts of Michigan, at the May 30-31 event, shoppers could also find dealers from all over the United States. To say that there is something for everyone is not an exaggeration by any means.

The quality of the food vendors is often a topic of interest to those visiting antiquing venues. This aspect of the event is where one of the festival’s historic firsts comes into play. The Michigan Department of Agriculture selected the Michigan Antique & Collectibles Show to show off its newest promotion entitled “A Taste of Michigan.” The tent that housed this display offered various products created from some of Michigan’s own produce, a clear illustration that Michigan’s treasures aren’t solely collectibles but edibles as well.

Visitors to the festival were not in short supply either. The owner of Home Again Antiques in Kingston, Mich., observed that the new ideas incorporated with the festival this year and the subsequent ad campaigns pursued by the festival’s owner, Lori Oberlin, seemed to pay off. “There are lots of people here this spring, and by the sounds of their conversations, many new people,” he said. This new crowd is doubtlessly what Oberlin had in mind when she sought out ways to “change, add to the fun and improve what has been such a delight through the years.”

Home Again Antiques displayed an interesting bubble bank dating from the 1940s-50s. At first the piece appeared to be a snow globe, but upon closer examination a slot in the top for the coins ws revealed. There was a die-cut doe inside the bubble.

One of the traveling vendors who had his display strewn about in the sun proudly pointed out his favorite item as the 1939 Mastercraft cast aluminium walking horse made in Scotland, only five of which are known to be in existence today. Numerous porcelain advertising signs were on display in his booth as well, but none, he said, were as unique as the die cut Shell gas station sign with “AIR” in red letters sporting a $900 price tag. Another vendor who specializes in jewelry from the 1940s-70s looked a little baffled at the question of which piece she would choose as her favorite. After a few moments of consideration, she replied, “I hand pick every piece. How can I pick a favorite?”

Shows are scheduled for July 25-26 and Sept. 26-27.

Contact:

www.miantiquefestival.com.