Page 5 - May 2020
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Brimfield Antique Show Canceled but the Show Will Go On!
BRIMFIELD, MA - When Klia and Arthur Crisafulli of The online Brimfield show, which is called “The
Northwood, NH, purchased Hertan’s Antique Shows and real estate Official Brimfield Live Online 2020,” will launch
in Brimfield, MA, the last thing they expected was that their inau- the precise time when the first shows would official-
gural show as owners would be canceled. The world-famous ly open and will continue until Saturday, May 16th.
Brimfield Antique Flea Market, which is made up of several inde- Each show will feature live-stream of the field
pendent shows that run concurrently three weeks a year, has “opening,” followed by dealer videos and live-
never been canceled in its sixty-year history but was reluctantly streams, shoppers sharing stories about their favorite
so because of COVID-19. “You could say we had the world's finds and memories, Brimfield personalities and the
worst timing,” said Klia. After a few sleepless nights, however, traditional Brimfield auction, and other auctions
Klia had a brainstorm to move the show online. “I had made a brought to you by Crown Company that will be
promise to myself that Hertan's show would always go on no matter live-streamed from Hertan’s field.
what and this was one way to keep that promise.” “Each show will open with a live stream or video of the
What initially started as a small virtual gathering of field owners opening their gates at the precise time as they
dealers from Hertan's field during the second week of May would have during the real show, followed by that
(the actual show week) has grown to include over 300 show's dealers and we will also have the traditional auc-
antique dealers, six other Brimfield Shows officially partici- tion by Crown but instead of bidding in person, peo-
pating, over 13,000 people and counting participating as ple will be able to bid from their couch,” Klia said.
viewers and shoppers, and several sponsors. “By the time the show begins we expect to have
“My idea was to have the opening of our field, which is marked as many people participating in the online show as
by a ringing of the bell, live-streamed on Facebook, followed by we do at the actual shows.”
videos and live streams of dealers showing their wares along with Klia’s intention is to continue this format even after the in-
their contact information so people could shop from home,” Klia person shows resume. “Many people who can’t
said. physically get to Brimfield will be able to shop from
The event was launched on the Hertan’s Antique Shows & home. It’s a win-win for shoppers, dealers and show
Brimfield Live page and soon after it launched other Brimfield promoters.” Klia said. The online show is being
Antique Shows joined in to form the Official event. The par- offered free to everyone. Brimfield shoppers who
ticipating fields and shows are Heart-O-The-Mart, Brimfield wish to participate should go to the Hertan’s page at
Auction Acres, New England Motel, Shelton’s, Sturtevant’s, facebook.com/hertansbrimfield and like and follow the
and Central Park. Dealers and vendors from every show page to receive notifications when new videos post.
that make up the Brimfield Antique Flea Market are also For more information contact Klia Ververidis Crisafulli
participating. Other sponsors include Journal of Antiques and at 781-420-3375
Collectibles and Ruby Lane.
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