Antiques fair comes to Camden in October

By: SCNow Staff | SCNow
Published: August 19, 2011

CAMDEN, SC --

The National Steeplechase Museum will host the first Camden Antiques Fair from Oct. 20-23 at Rhame Arena.

The event will feature furniture, toys, ceramics, sporting artifacts, rugs, silver, crystal, jewelry and art. Invitations to some of America’s best antique dealers have gone out and the limit of 30 participants has almost been reached.

Tickets for the public go on sale in early September.

The name of the event is a tip of the hat to the history of the city. In 1774, King George III granted a license for public fair in Camden. That event was held on what is now known as Fair Street, and the license is thought to be the first issued for a public fair in what was then the British Colonies.

“The Camden Antiques Fair will bring new tourists to our city and help strengthen partnerships between our merchants and non-profit organizations,” said Don Terrell, steering committee co-chairman, said in a press release. “We plan to use the event to draw attention to antique shops in the Camden area and to promote other events we are planning to compliment the fair.”

The event steering committee’s co-chairwoman is Beverly Steinman, president of the National Steeplechase Museum Board. Other members are Jack Brantley, Thomas Walter, Toby Sheorn, Kevin Perry, Patricia Richardson, Lisa Towell, Tanya Artinian and Sarah Reed. Museum staff members Hope Cooper and Katy Cowan are managing the project.