Shopping the Bridgehampton Fair

If the drive from Manhattan to Montauk gets you down, there will a pleasant diversion along the way later this month: the Antiques & Design in the Hamptons show from August 15 to 17.A benefit for the Bridgehampton Historical Society, this four-year-old event includes 50 dealers under sprawling white tents on the grounds of the historical society’s Corwith House. Located in the heart of Bridgehampton, the fair is orchestrated by Stella Show Management Company, a Manhattan-based firm that organizes antique shows nationwide, but is best known for its Gramercy Park Antiques Show, to be held on October 24-26, at the 69th Regiment Armory.A show manager at Stella, Michele Oswald, said that the summer is a generally quiet time for the antiques business, but because Bridgehampton is a popular vacation spot for the antique-buying community, the location is ideal. To use the Corwith House grounds, Stella pays a fee, all of which goes to the historical society to use for community events, restorations, and year-round projects.With so many fairs and shows happening on the East End, there may be some overlap. But with vendors bringing new objects every time, the offerings are never exactly the same. Michele Fox, an antiques vendor from Grandview, N.Y., who specializes in American textiles and patriotic pieces, has participated in the show since it started four years ago; she also had a booth at the East Hampton Antiques Show. A number of featured vendors, such as Schorr & Dobinsky and Leonard Davenport, are based in Bridgehampton.“Many dealers take a multi-pronged attack to business,” Ms. Oswald explained. “They use the shows to build their client base.” She also said that dealers use the opportunity to promote their Web sites and to make their products available to customers who may not be able to visit their individual shops.During summers past, Stella Show Management has held two events in Bridgehampton, the first of which was considered a preview party with all proceeds benefiting the historical society. This summer, however, just the one show will go on. “Stella shows are very well done,” the historical society’s executive director, John Eilertsen, said. “They’re easy to work with. The public seems to like it.”Mr. Eilertsen attributes the lack of a second show to the fact that the goal is to keep the fairgrounds for events that are in some way associated with the town. One such event is happening this weekend. On August 2, the 32nd Family Heritage Fair, which includes displays of antique tractors, farm engines, and folk art, will celebrate the region’s rural past. In September, the historical society will host a vintage baseball game that simulates the way America’s pastime used to be played. Also in September will be an antique car show honoring Bridgehampton’s racing past with cars from 1959 and earlier.’Antiques & Design in the Hamptons, August 15-17, 2368 Montauk Highway, Bridgehampton, N.Y. $8; 212-255-0020.

Shopping the Bridgehampton Fair

Shopping the Bridgehampton Fair

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