Busy month of May for antique collectors and history buffs
It’s going to be a busy month of May for antique collectors and history buffs, with events from Pleasanton to Watsonville.
TRACY VINTAGE AND ANTIQUE
STREET FAIRE » Spring has come and that means it’s time for the Tracy Vintage and Antique Street Faire. Coordinated by the Owl Box Antiques and Tracy City Center Association, the downtown event takes place Saturday.
More than 30 antiques, collectible and craft vendors will participate. While you’re shopping, hum along, or swirl, to the tunes of a barbershop quartet or a DJ. There also will be a farmers market and rock painting demonstrations. Check out the food offerings at downtown’s trendy restaurants, tea and coffee shops.
DETAILS » Saturday 8 a.m.-3 p.m. at 10th and A streets. Admission and parking are free. For more information, go to tracyantiquefaire.com or call 209-830-0796.
PAST TYME PLEASURES AND AUCTION » Bids are open now through May 18 for the semiannual sale run by Past Tyme Pleasures Auction.
Among the 144 lots available for bidding is a 1950s Fanny Farmer cardboard candy container in its original box shaped like Uncle Sam. The 11-by-2-inch novelty is in excellent condition. Bidding begins at $50. There is a 15% buyer’s premium.
DETAILS » Bidding now through May, 18. View the lots and place your bids at pasttyme1.com. For more information, go to the website or call 925-484-6442.
GOAT HILL FAIR » The theme of this spring’s Goat Hill Fair is “Adventure in Vintage”. The always-popular event takes place May 18-19.
Cyndi Garofalo and her team will bring together a group of 110 indoor merchants and seven outdoor vendors with neatly displayed merchandise. The semiannual expo will feature the trendy styles of “atomic rust” and “industrial chic,” unusual architectural elements, garden statuary, jewelry, kitchen fixtures, Americana, along with repurposed goods and artifacts.
There will be a rest area for patrons to relax, eyeball their newly acquired treasures and have a bite to eat Look for the newest food vendor, Up in Smoke.
DETAILS » Santa Cruz Fairgrounds, 2601 East Lake Ave., Watsonville, 10 a.m.4 p.m. May 18, 10 a.m.- 3 p.m. May 19. Regular admission is $10. Free return privileges. “Early goat” tickets are $25, which allows shoppers to get first dibs on the merchandise from 8:30 a.m.-10 a.m. May 18. Free parking. ATMs on site. No pets. For more information, go to goathillfair.com or call 408-221-5054.
DOWNTOWN PLEASANTON
ANTIQUES AND COLLECTIBLES FAIRE » This popular semiannual event is considered the kickoff of the Bay Area’s outdoor show season. On May 26, the charming Alameda County town will morph into a huge emporium. Hundreds of merchants will gather on Main Street selling furniture, jewelry, vintage clothing, paintings and prints, china, dolls, toys, glass, photos, silver, clocks, books and more.
There are plenty of nearby eateries, including the Lockeford Meats food truck, where scads of veteran fans indulge in their famous sausage sandwich.
I’ll be on hand from 10 a.m.-1 p.m. for informal appraisals of family keepsakes or garage sale finds. Only one object per person. (Precious jewelry, coins, stamps and military items are not evaluated). Find me at the tent near the corner of Main and Division streets.
DETAILS » Main Street in Pleasanton (Watch for signs from Bernal Avenue exit Interstate 680). Hours: 8 a.m.-4 p.m. Admission, parking and evaluations are free. Dogs welcome. For more information, go to pleasantonantiquefaire.com or call 510-972-0613.
SCHOOL MEMORABILIA » Did you attend Sunol Elementary School or Edison Continuation High School? A search for memorabilia is being conducted. The two schools are located in the San Jose Unified District — once the San Jose City Schools — founded in 1853. Old student photos are appreciated.
DETAILS »