Holiday Spirit Drives Sales at West Palm Beach Antiques Festival
Sold out dealer spaces, beautiful weather and large crowds contributed to the festive spirit in South Florida.
CRYSTAL RIVER, FL, December 19, 2010
West Palm Beach Antiques Festival owners Kay and Bill Puchstein reported over 400 dealers set up on site at the December 3,4 and 5 edition of the Festival with all outside dealer spaces sold out to take advantage of the Chamber of Commerce weather. Attendance exceeded the previous month and visitors were in a holiday buying mood.Dealers gladly accommodated the holiday shoppers with wide selections of tempting gift ideas like Steiff animals, silver items, vintage linens and mid century modern furniture leading the way.
In gearing up for the 2011 season the Puchsteins have installed free wi-fi computer access to aid dealers in searching for information for customers and a new series of television ads aimed at attracting a younger audience has premiered in the South Florida area touting marbles, postcards, vintage handbags and modernism furniture and accessories dating from the 1930s to the 1960s. And everyone attending the Festival will appreciate the wide selection of estate jewelry and silver and investment quality art.
One of the dealers who specializes in investment quality art is Michael Perez of Ellen & Michael Perez Art and Antiques. Michael was raised in New England surrounded by antiques and art and Ellen has an art education. The business seemed to be a natural for them. They specialize in Asian art, American folk art, American and European art and tribal art. Michael has an affinity for sculptured objects in those categories and has begun some of his own works in the field.
The Perez's typically display several hundred items in their booth at the West Palm Beach Antiques Festival including a display case of exquisite smalls. The inventory ranges in price from a few hundred dollars to a few thousand dollars and all of it is guaranteed to be interesting according to Michael. In fact he says "so many interesting things" is the most frequently heard comment in his booth during a Festival weekend.
The Festival is now on Facebook under West Palm Beach Antiques Festival and anyone is welcome to become a fan. The Puchsteins plan on posting photos of merchandise unloading during set-up so fans can get a sneak preview of what to expect at each show.
The January edition of the West Palm Beach Antiques Festival will celebrate the New Year December 31 through January 1 and 2. Festival hours are Friday 12:00PM - 5:00PM, Saturday 9:00AM - 5:00PM and Sunday 10:00AM - 4:30PM. Early Buyer's admission is Friday 9:00AM - 12:00PM and the $25 admission is good for all three days. Adult daily admission $7.00, seniors $6.00. Anyone 12 and under is admitted free. There is no charge for parking at the Fairgrounds.
The West Palm Beach Antiques Festival is held at the South Florida Fairgrounds located off Southern Boulevard in West Palm Beach, FL, 1.5 miles west of the Florida Turnpike and 1 mile east of 441/SR7. For more information contact the West Palm Beach Antiques Festival at (941) 697-7475, email info@wpbaf.com or visit the website at http://www.wpbaf.com.