Election antiques highlight of show

E-mail this story

Print this story

Share

ST. CHARLES – While Americana has a draw throughout the year, antique fair organizers took advantage of the timing during this presidential election year to bring out the red, white and blue antiques.

The 34th annual Fall Fox Valley Show at the Kane County Fairgrounds had an election theme.

Most dealer booths had the usual antiques, such as furniture, clothing, paintings and dolls – but several displayed American flags, quilts and other patriotic and election-related garb.

Barb Lemme, an antique dealer from Glen Ellyn, put out flags, a “Liberty Boy” wagon and all the Abraham Lincoln antiques she could find for the weekend show.

“Because of the election year, people are really looking for patriotic [antiques],” Lemme said Sunday.

She added that the election theme is perfect for antique shows because a lot of people are drawn to patriotic antiques.

Mary Johnson is a dealer based in Lowell, Ind. She displayed a large American flag from the 1800s – with 38 stars – along with other patriotic items.

One featured item was a ballot box from the turn of the century.

The wooden box had a slit at the top where people used to submit their ballots – without election judges or other modern additions.

Now, it could be used as an end table with a patriotic tribute, Johnson said.

The items give a home character, but that’s true of antiques in general, she added.

Wendy Solari of St. Charles shopped for furniture to add to her collection.

She said she likes the history and stories behind the pieces, as opposed to just buying furniture in a store.

The pieces also tend to show times used to be “more innovative,” without the use of modern technology.

Marilyn and Scott Bradley came from Lisle as they do every year for the St. Charles show.

They said they find “primitive” antiques, which is their favorite kind to collect for their home.

The two planned to eat lunch before deciding which item they might buy.

In the running: a Native American blanket and a Noah’s Ark piece.