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It  began as a thought and a dream to bring a small high quality show to Huron County.  It is not on the coast of B.C. as some folks thought last year. Some changesto the name of the show  had to be made and  now reflects that the show is here in Ontario.  

Peter knew that the farm would be an ideal place to host a show with dealers and pickers setting up along the laneway and locals would be able to see and purchase excellent examples of Canadiana from dealers across the province.  Janis did some writing in the 1980's  for The Upper Canadian Antiques magazine now known as Canadian Antiques and Vintage and she gathered advertising from antique dealers in the area for a large full page ads  for the West Coast dealers. thus the name of the show was born.  

 Huron County is on the shores of Lake Huron approx 2.5 hrs from the GTA and an hour north of London and I hr west of Kitchener.

Planning and organizing a show of any size, big or small takes attention to details and co ordination of advertising, including print and online media.  The Bisback's are hosting the show, not being promoters they are donating the gate to local organizations such as the Exeter Scouting movement and the South Huron Optimists  which constructed a splash pad in Exeter last year.  The Hensall South Huron Ag Society, of which the Bisback's are members also raised funds with a food booth.  

All in all the community benefited by the influx of of over 550 visitors and the opportunity for collectors to purchase high quality antiques.  there are a great deal of antique shows throughout the summer in the province but often  means that the dealers and sellers are limited to indoor venues  and sit for days waiting for potential sales.  Doing a one day outdoor show, allows the dealer to meet customers and not spend a whole weekend prepping and setting up and packing up.   Customers are eager to make a purchase because they cannot go back later to see if it is still there.  

 

if you wish to stay in the area, we recommend that you make reservations  right now for Grand Bend area as there is a National Drag Racing event there, are some dealers found that there were no rooms available for them.  Other choices are two B&Bs in Hensall (Sybilles garden B&B )and in Exeter (the Gregory B&B on Andrew street)   they are small places with only 3 rooms each and they fill up quickly as well.   there is a motel in Clinton ON  (The Parker House) which is not fancy but adequate for travellers.  Also a B&B in Clinton and many options  in Goderich and Stratford along with hotels and motels as well as B&B's.  

Stratford is home to the renowned Stratford Shakespearean Festival and dont forget the Blyth Summer Festival which has premiered over 100 Canadian written plays.  It opens at the end of June, running till end of August.  well worth visiting at another time.